3/11/24, 11:24 PM 20.6.

Gem-Bearing Pegmatites: Rarity: EOSC 118 99C 2023W2 Earth's Treasures: Gold and Gems

20.6. Gem-Bearing Pegmatites: Rarity

Module B. Precious Gemstones

Lesson 20: Gem Bearing Pegmatites - Geology and Geo

Why is it Rare?
Gem-bearing pegmatites are rare for a number of reasons. Firstly, these require a geological enviro
rocks and where magmas have a chance to evolve and fractionate to the point where a rare-elemen
Furthermore, the parent magmas that generate the pegmatites also need to be fertile for rare-eleme
released from the parent granite will form sufficiently wide enough dikes that encourage pocket gro
High volatile concentrations are necessary to facilitate growth of crystals, but not too high that a co
many crystals is created. For gem minerals to be preserved, pegmatites need to be in a tectonic en
brought upwards into the crust while not allowing the rocks they are hosted in to deform too much,
or broken.
And finally, the slow and steady work of erosion is required to remove enough overlying rock that p
either in secondary alluvial deposits or from primary sources.

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