Granitic Pegmatites as Sources of Colored Gemstones

Abstract

Research Article| August 01, 2012 Granitic Pegmatites as Sources of Colored Gemstones William B. Simmons; William B. Simmons 1Department of Earth and Environmental Science, University of New Orleans, 2000 Lakeshore Drive, New Orleans, LA 70148, USAE-mail: [e-mail] Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Federico Pezzotta; Federico Pezzotta 2Museo di Storia NaturaleCorso Venezia 35, Milano, I-20121, ItalyE-mail: [e-mail] Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar James E. Shigley; James E. Shigley 3Gemological Institute of America5345 Armada Drive, Carlsbad, CA 92008-4602, USAE-mail: [e-mail] Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Hartmut Beurlen Hartmut Beurlen 4Department of Geology, Federal University of Pernambuco, Rua Acadêmico Hélio Ramos, 54740-530, Recife, Pernambuco, BrazilE-mail: [e-mail] Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Elements (2012) 8 (4): 281–287. https://doi.org/10.2113/gselements.8.4.281 Article history first online: 09 Mar 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation William B. Simmons, Federico Pezzotta, James E. Shigley, Hartmut Beurlen; Granitic Pegmatites as Sources of Colored Gemstones. Elements 2012;; 8 (4): 281–287. doi: https://doi.org/10.2113/gselements.8.4.281 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyElements Search Advanced Search Abstract Pegmatites are sources of gem-quality crystals of beryl, tourmaline, topaz, spodumene, and spessartine. Historic localities are found in Brazil, Madagascar, Russia, and the United States, but important deposits have recently been discovered in Africa and Asia. Most high-quality gem minerals occur in miarolitic cavities found near the centers of pegmatite bodies or in reaction zones between pegmatites and ultramafic host rocks. The most important gem-bearing granitic pegmatites formed at shallow levels in the continental crust during the latest stages of collisional plate tectonic events. Single, spectacular miarolitic cavities in some pegmatites have produced tons of gem crystals valued in excess of $50 million. You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.