Skip to main content

Pegmatite minerals

  • Reference work entry
Mineralogy

Part of the book series: Encyclopedia of Earth Science ((EESS))

  • 350 Accesses

Granitic pegmatites are usually associated with large granite stocks, masses, and batholiths, as in New England, the Black Hills of South Dakota, and Governador Valadares in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Compositionally, the pegmatites consist of the feldspars, quartz, and muscovite with local concentrations of accessory minerals such as beryl , spodumene , tourmaline , columbite -tantalite, triphylite-lithiophilite, amblygonite , and minor sulfides and arsenides. Although the bulk composition reflects that of the parent granite, important differences prevail. Pegmatites usually afford a deficit of Ti4+ with respect to the granite, and the Mn/Fe ratios in accessory phases are much greater, with values in the latter ranging from 0.10 to 0.95. The range Mn/Fe = 0.20–0.40 is most frequently encountered. In addition, local concentration of minor to trace–quantity elements is encountered, such as Li1+, Fe2+, B3+, P5+, Nb5+ and Ta5+. As with granites, the pegmatites are depleted in Cr3+...

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 499.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 549.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Brögger, W. C., 1890. Die Mineralien der Syenitpegmatitgänge der Süd norwegischen Augit-und Nephelinsyenite, Zeit. Kristallogr. Mineral., 16, 1–663.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cameron, E. N., et al., 1954. Pegmatite investigations, 1942–1945, New England, U.S. Geol. Surv. Prof. Paper 255, 352p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fersman, A. E., 1931. Zur Geochemie der Granitpegmatite, Mineral. Petrogr. Mitt., 41, 200–213.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heinrich, E. W., 1948. Pegmatites of Eight Mile Park, Fremont County, Colorado, Am. Mineralogist, 33, 420–448, 550–588.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jahns, R. H., 1953. The genesis of pegmatites. Occurrence and origin of giant crystals, Am. Mineralogist, 38, 563–598.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jahns, R. H., 1955. The study of pegmatites, Econ. Geol., 50, 1025–1130.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jahns, R. H., and Burnham, C. W., 1969. Experimental studies of pegmatite genesis: I. A model for the derivation and crystallization of granitic pegmatites, Econ. Geol., 64, 843–864.

    Google Scholar 

  • Landes, K. K., 1933. Origin and classification of pegmatites, Am. Mineralogist, 18, 33–56, 95–103.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moore, P. B., 1973. Pegmatite phosphates: Descriptive mineralogy and crystal chemistry, Mineral. Rec., 4, 103–130.

    Google Scholar 

  • Page, L. R., et al., 1953. Pegmatite investigations, 1942–1945, Black Hills, South Dakota, U.S. Geol. Surv. Prof. Paper 247, 228p.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vlasov, K. A., Kuz'menko, M. Z., and Es'kova, E. M., 1966. The Lovozero Alkali Massif (Trans. by D. G. Fry and K. Syers). New York: Hafner, 627p.

    Google Scholar 

Cross-references

Download references

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1981 Hutchinson Ross Publishing Company

About this entry

Cite this entry

Moore, P.B. (1981). Pegmatite minerals . In: Mineralogy. Encyclopedia of Earth Science. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/0-387-30720-6_98

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/0-387-30720-6_98

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-0-87933-184-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-0-387-30720-6

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics