The SHAND quaternary system for evaluating the supersilicic or subsilicic crystal-chemistry of eclogite minerals, and potential new UHPM pyroxene and garnet end-members

Summary The stoichiometry of pyroxenes {^viiiX^{2+ vi}Y^{2+ iv}Z⁴⁺ ₂ O₆} and garnets {^xiiX²⁺ ₃ ^viY³⁺ ₂ ^ivZ⁴⁺ ₃ O₁₂} is re-evaluated by a theoretical crystal-chemical approach that takes into account natural phenomena that do not fit with conventional anhydrous stoichiometric mineralogy: the existence in eclogites of microinclusions of other minerals that may have been exsolved from previous supersilicic or subsilicic UHPM pyroxene or garnet. Different definitions of supersilicic and subsilicic are discussed and the one based on the ability to exsolve SiO₂ and leave behind a stoichiometric pyroxene or garnet is recommended for general adoption. The SHAND system (S = Si et al.; H = H; A = Al et al.; N = Na et al.; D = divalents) for projecting multivariate chemical space involving 23 cations and 104 selected natural or potential mineral species on to two essential diagrams (SAND and SHND) is described in full for the first time. Numerous possible chemical exchanges are considered and justified with respect to known mineral phenomena such as cation vacancies, octahedral silicon or protonation. Several new potential end-members are presented, in particular “supersilipyx”, “supersiligar” and “subsiligar”. It is suggested that small quantities of these end-members can be incorporated into UHPM solid-solutions and lead to various exsolution phenomena during eclogite exhumation.