Emeralds from the Delbegetey deposit (Kazakhstan): mineralogical characteristics and fluid-inclusion study

Abstract

The aim of this study is to provide the first detailed mineralogical and fluid-inc1usion description of emeralds from the Delbegetey deposit (Kazakhstan). The characteristic features of Delbegetey emeralds are established: they have dissolution figures on crystal faces, bluish colour and distinct colour zoning; the refractive indices are ro = 1.566-1.570, E = 1.558-1.562, and the specific gravity is 2.65±0.005, relatively low for natural emeralds; they have very small concentrations of the impurities (Fe, Mg, Na and others) typical of other emeralds, and contain Cr and V; there is a significant preponderance of vapour in fluid inc1usions of all types and there is liquid-to-vapour homogenization of primary fluid inc1usions (at 395-420°C). The lattice oxygen isotope composition data obtained (0180 SMOW value of 11.3%0) situate the deposit within the range characteristic of other granite-related emerald deposits. Emerald crystallization took place in low-density (0.40-0.55 g/cm3 ) aqueous fluid, with the following chemical composition (mol.%): 75.6-97.4 HzO, 0.0-18.4 caz, 0.0-0.9 C~, and 4.06-9.65 wt.% NaCI equiv. salinity. According to the calculated isochores, the pressure offormation ofthe Delbegetey emeralds can be estimated at 570-1240 bar.