INTERNAL STRUCTURE OF GRANITIC

PEGMATITES

º'.
-
" -
by

JAHNS, A. H. McNAIR
-
E. N. CAMERON, R. H.
AND L. R. PAGE

MonoGRAPH 2

ECONOMIC GEology

ECONOMIC GEOLOGY PUBLISHING CO.

URBANA, ILLINois

1949
 Sozoczkie. Science Library
Miner-o-º: cº-g E.

\\-3 or * a
(28%5C ..T. >
2,

CONTENTS.
*- PAGE

s Abstract . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . 1
* Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . -- --- - --- - - --- - -- -- -- -- ---- -- 2

• Generalfeatures of granitic pegmatites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

s Distribution and age . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Association of pegmatites with granitic intrusives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

ºx Contrasts between groups of pegmatites associated with various intrusives 7

- 8
Relation of type of pegmatite to type of wall rock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
* Size and shape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Relations of pegmatites to wall rock structures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Alteration of wall rocks adjacent to pegmatites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Historical review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... • - - - - 11
Pegmatite units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 13
General statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
16
General features of zones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Border zones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Wall zones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Intermediate zones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Cores . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Sequences of mineral assemblages in zoned pegmatites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
General statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Sequences of mineral assemblages in mica-feldspar pegmatites of the
Southeastern States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Sequence of mineral assemblages in pegmatites in New England . . . . . . . 64
Sequences of mineral assemblages in pegmatites of Petaca, N. Mex. . . . . 66
Sequences of mineral assemblages in pegmatites in South Dakota . . . . . . 67
Sequences of mineral assemblages in other districts studied . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Fracture fillings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
General features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . 70
Composition and internal structure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Replacement bodies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . 83
General features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .. . . . .. . . . . . . 83
Recognition of replacement bodies . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Fracture controlled replacement bodies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91

Other replacement bodies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92

Origin of pegmatite units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
General statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Origin of zones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Origin of other units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Applications to mining and prospecting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Appendix—Representation of pegmatites on geologic maps, cross sections and
related diagrams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
General statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
System of representation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Explanations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Bibliography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
 CONTENTS.

LIST OF FIGURES.
PAGE
FIG. Map showing locations of pegmatite districts in the United States Back

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FIG. Cross sections through parts the Johnson and “A” mines, Avery

of
County, North Carolina, showing pegmatite lenses and stringers

at
one general horizon the foliated country rock 10

in

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FIG. Mica crystals recrystallized quartz-mica schist, Nancy No. mine,

in

1
Groton, New Hampshire Facing

15 12
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FIG. diagram showing relationships units with pegmatites

of
Idealized

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FIG. Isometric block diagram showing idealized pod-shaped pegmatite
body with concentric zonal structure 17

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FIG. Idealized plans pegmatite bodies, with typical zonal structures

of of

18
FIG. Idealized plans pod-shaped and pinching-and-swelling pegmatite
bodies, showing typical along-strike telescoping

of
zones 19

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FIG. Photograph Harding pegmatite, Taos County, New Mex
of

ico Facing 13
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FIG. Zonal structure Kept Man pegmatite, Elk Mountain mine, San
Miguel County, New Mexico Facing 20

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FIG. Idealized plans pegmatite bodies, showing typical distribution
of

of
10.
quartz-rich core segments sinuous pinching-and-swelling
in
a
plagioclase-quartz dike (top) and abundant scattered quartz-rich
pods thicker and more regular dike (bottom) 20
in
a

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FIG. Idealized plans pegmatite bodies, with many septa and inclusions
of

11.
country-rock schist, showing relations between these irregulari
of

ties and the zonal structure 22

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FIG. 12. Idealized block diagram zoned pegmatite, showing appearance
of

of
a

zones at different levels 23

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FIG. 13. southern part Bordonaro pegmatite, Portland, Connecticut
of

of

25
Plan
FIG. 14. Geologic map the Wright Creek pegmatite, Mohave County, Ari
of

zona, showing distribution beryl-bearing border zone 26

of

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FIG. the Case pegmatites, Portland, Connecticut 27
of

15. Cross sections

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FIG. Map and cross sections Old Mike pegmatite, Custer County, South
of

16.
Dakota, showing concentric zonal structure Back
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FIG. partially albitized border zone and uppermost part
of

17. Detailed sketch

wall zone, Harding pegmatite, Taos County, New Mexico
of

29
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FIG. W. Burleson pegmatite, Mitchell County, North
of

18.
C.

Cross sections
Carolina, and detailed sketch layered border zone along
of

wall Back
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FIG. Photograph and sketch polished specimen At

of

of

of

19. border zone

wood pegmatite, Rumney, New Hampshire, showing layering par
allel to contact 31
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FIG. 20. Zoned pegmatite body enclosed by albite-quartz-perthite pegmatite,

Soda Spar mine, Pennington County, South Dakota 32
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FIG. Geologic map and section the Ruby and Barney pegmatite, Graf
of

21.
ton, New Hampshire, showing fracture-controlled body along inner
margin thick wall zone Back
of

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FIG. Geologic map and sections the Silver Dollar pegmatite, Custer
of

22.
County, South Dakota, showing continuous oligoclase-microcline
quartz-muscovite wall zone Back
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FIG. 23.
4)

the Champion
of

Plan and vertical sections (Jefferson No.

pegmatite, Amelia County, Virginia, showing the regularity and
simplicity 33
of

the zonal structure

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 CONTENTS. V

PAGE
FIG. 24. Cross section of the Knight pegmatite, Rockingham County, North
Carolina, showing distribution of mica-rich wall zone . . . . . . . . . . . 34
FIG. 25. Cross sections through Nichols pegmatite, Gilsum, New Hampshire 35
FIG. Underground plan and sections of Woodward pegmatite, Orford,
New Hampshire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back
FIG. 27. Geologic map of the Drum pegmatite, showing different development
of zonal structure in the two main bulges, Catawba County, North
Carolina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
FIG. 28. Cross section of Wadhams-Tucker pegmatite, Alexandria, New
Hampshire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
FIG. 29. Composite structure section of the Strickland-Cramer pegmatite,
Portland, Connecticut . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
FIG. 30. Geologic maps and section of White Spar pegmatite, Custer County,
South Dakota . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back
FIG. 31. Cross section of the Big Bess pegmatite, Gaston County, North
Carolina, showing different types of zoning in different parts of the
pegmatite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
FIG. 32. Plan of 60-foot level, Victory mine, Custer County, South Dakota . . 41
FIG. 33. Geologic plans and section, Edison spodumene mine, Pennington
County, South Dakota . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back
FIG. 34. Idealized plan showing typical telescoping of pegmatite zones in the
Little Hawk Ridge mine, Mitchell County, North Carolina . . . . . . 43
FIG. 35. Isometric block diagram of the Keyes No. 1 pegmatite, Orange, New
Hampshire . .. . .. . . .. .. . . .. . .. . . . .. . . .. .. . . . . . .. .. . .. . .. . .. . Back
FIG. 36. Geologic plan and section of the W. T. Foster No. 1 pegmatite, Lin
coln County, North Carolina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back
FIG. 37. Cross sections of the Mills Griffith pegmatite, Yancey County, North
Carolina, a bulging dike with three intermediate zones . . . . . . . . . . 45
FIG. 38. Asymmetric zonal structure in the Beasley No. 2 pegmatite, Macon
County, North Carolina, as shown in the cross section near main
adit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
FIG. 39. Generalized structure section of Palermo No. 1 pegmatite, Groton,
New Hampshire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
FIG. 40. Geologic map and section of the Alamos pegmatite, Rio Arriba
County, New Mexico, showing independently zoned segments of
the body . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back
FIG. 41. Sections through main part of the Bob Ingersoll No. 1 pegmatite,
Pennington County, South Dakota . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back
FIG. 42. Cross sections of the Bob Ingersoll No. 2 pegmatite, Pennington
County, South Dakota . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
FIG. 43. Map of Hardesty Homestead pegmatite, Pennington County, South
Dakota, showing fracture fillings of quartz that transect outer
ZOnes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .". . . . . Back
FIG. Geologic plan and section of the Big pegmatite, Victory mine, Al
stead, New Hampshire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
FIG. 45. Geologic map and section of pegmatite No. 29, Rice mine, Groton,
New Hampshire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
FIG. 46. Geologic map and section of the Jack Rabbit pegmatite, Custer
County, South Dakota . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back
FIG. 47. Geologic map and sections of the Climax pegmatite, Custer County,
South Dakota . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back
vi CONTENTS.

PAGE
FIG. 48. Geologic map of the North Star pegmatite, Rio Arriba County, New
Mexico, showing simple zonal structure and systematic arrange
ment of major replacement units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back
FIG. 49. Isometric fence diagram of the Deake pegmatite, Mitchell County,
North Carolina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
FIG. 50. Map and section of the East Selden pegmatite, East Hampton,
Connecticut . . . . . .. .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . 55
FIG. 51. Geologic map of the Brown-Thurston beryl prospect, Rumford,
Maine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .. .. . 57
FIG. 52. Idealized plans of podlike pegmatite bodies, showing typical distri
bution of fracture fillings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
FIG. 53. Map of main lobe of McKinney pegmatite, showing distribution of
exposed major fractures, slip joints, and fracture fillings, Mitchell
County, North Carolina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . - - - - - - 72
FIG. 54. Map of east part of Hidden Treasure pegmatite, Rio Arriba County,
New Mexico . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
FIG. 55. Sketch plan of north end of Case No. 1 pegmatite, Portland, Con
necticut, showing quartz fracture fillings along contact . . . . . . . . . . 75
FIG. 56. Geologic map of the Buckhorn pegmatite, Larimer County, Colo
rado . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back
FIG. 57. Idealized plans of pegmatites, showing typical relations of layered
fracture fillings that can be traced into zones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
FIG. 58. East-west section through Helen beryl pegmatite, Custer County,
South Dakota, showing relation of fracture filling to zones . . . . . . 78
FIG. 59. Pleasant Valley pegmatite, a zoned fracture filling mass in albite
quartz pegmatite, Custer County, South Dakota . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
FIG. Layered fracture filling unit in quartz-albite-muscovite pegmatite,
New York mine, Custer County, South Dakota . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
FIG. 61. Fracture fillings in the northeast Harbach pegmatite, Custer County,
South Dakota . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
FIG. 62. Map of a part of vertical face, looking south near west end of main
quarry, Harding mine, Taos County, New Mexico . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
FIG. 63. Plan of podlike layered fracture filling in Western pegmatite, Middle
town, Connecticut . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
FIG. Spheroidal “bursts” of coarse-grained cleavelandite in perthite-quartz
pegmatite of giant texture, Porcupine stope, Kiawa mine, Rio Ar
riba County, New Mexico . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
FIG. Relations of replacement bodies (stippled) to host pegmatite . . . . . . 87
FIG. Crude layering caused by almost wholly digested wisps of mica schist
in replacement body of cleavelandite-muscovite pegmatite, footwall
stope in White deposit, Rio Arriba County, New Mexico . . . . . . . . 88
FIG. Isometric plate diagram of the Lonesome pegmatite, Rio Arriba
County, New Mexico, showing distribution of zones and replace
ment bodies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back
FIG. View of main footwall mica shoot, Globe pegmatite, Rio Arriba
County, New Mexico . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Facing 21
FIG. 69. Fracture-controlled replacement body of plagioclase and wedge mus
covite, Devil's Hole pegmatite, Fremont County, Colorado . Facing 92
FIG. 70. Detailed map of small fracture-controlled replacement bodies, east
of main quarry, Harding mine, Taos County, New Mexico . . . . . . 92
 CONTENTS. vii

PAGE
FIG. 71. Cross section of Apache pegmatite, Rio Arriba County, New Mexico,
showing relation between inner zones and the albitized outer zones 94
FIG. 72. Albitization in Apache pegmatite, Rio Arriba County, New Mex
ico . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Facing 93
FIG. 73. Geologic map and sections of the Pino Verde (Luna) pegmatite, Rio
Arriba County, New Mexico, showing albite-rich replacement
bodies fringing a trough-like core . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back
FIG. 74. Crystals of perthite partly replaced by sugary cleavelandite, Freet
land pegmatite, Rio Arriba County, New Mexico . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
FIG. 75. View of west wall of main McKinney quarry, Mitchell County,
North Carolina, showing plagioclase-rich “football” fringed with
"wedge-A" books of muscovite . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Facing 96
FIG. 76. Types of variations of anorthite content of plagioclase, from wall
zone to core, in zoned pegmatites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
FIG. 77. Development of concentric shells of pegmatite by successive periph
eral replacements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
FIG. 78. Sketch showing relations of fracture fillings to zones. A, Fracture
fillings developed as offshoots of an inner zone; B, Fracture-fillings
developed as offshoots of a replacement body formed along an
intermediate contact . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
FIG. 79. Explanations and symbols for use on maps and diagrams . . . . . . . . . . 110

TABLES.
PAGE
Table 1. Sequences of mineral assemblages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Table 2. Sequences of mineral assemblages, mica-feldspar pegmatites of the
Southeastern States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Table 3. Sequences of mineral assemblages in the pegmatites of New England 65
Table 4. Sequences of mineral assemblages in pegmatites of Petaca, New
Mexico . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Table 5. Sequences of mineral assemblages in pegmatites of the Black Hills,
South Dakota . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
 INTERNAL STRUCTURE OF GRANITIC PEGMATITES."

E. N. CAMERON, R. H. JAHNS, A. H. McNAIR, AND L. R. PAGE

ABSTRACT.

Studies of strategic mineral deposits in the major domestic pegmatite

districts by the U. S. Geological Survey from 1939 to 1945, primarily for
the purpose of increasing production of mica, beryllium, lithium, and tan
talum minerals, resulted in the clarification of many problems related to the
general features, internal structure, mineralogy, and origin of granitic
pegmatites. This report summarizes about 68 man years of work in the
pegmatite districts of New England, the Southeastern States, South Da
kota, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico.
The pegmatites of eastern United States, of Paleozoic age, and those of
the Rocky Mountain region, mostly of pre-Cambrian age, are localized in
metamorphic terranes, and are closely associated with either granite, quartz
monzonite, or granodiorite masses. In some districts where pegmatites are
associated with all three types of igneous rocks the composition of the
plagioclase feldspar in three separate groups of pegmatites suggests a
genetic relationship to the three types of igneous rocks. In other districts
the distribution of pegmatites suggests a genetic relationship to the adja
cent igneous mass. Consequently the mineralogy, texture, and structure of
the pegmatites varies in detail from district to district, though within any
one district variations as great - or greater may be found as the parent
igneous rock is approached.
Pegmatites range from a few inches to more than a mile in length, and
from a fraction of an inch to more than 500 feet in width. Most are
tabular or thinly lenticular; others are branching, irregular, or teardrop
shaped. Pipelike, arcuate, and troughlike forms are less common. The
shapes of pegmatites commonly are closely controlled by the type and
structure of the wall rock. Many pegmatites in schistose rocks are con
cordant with regional foliation, and plunge parallel to the linear structure
of the schist. The plunge of discordant bodies is commonly controlled by
the intersection of fractures. Secondary foliation and drag folds indicate
deformation of the wall rocks by the pegmatites during emplacement.
Alteration of schistose country rocks to granulites is most common along
the contacts of discordant bodies.
The structural and lithologic units that differ in mineralogy, texture, or
both have been designated as: (1) fracture fillings—tabular units that fill
fractures in previously consolidated pegmatite, (2) replacement bodies—
units formed primarily by replacement of pre-existing pegmatite, and (3)
20mes—successive shells, complete or incomplete, around an innermost
unit or core that reflect to varying degrees the shape and structure of the
pegmatite body.
Zones, quantitatively and economically the most important, have been
classified as (1) border gones, (2) wall gones, (3) intermediate gones, and
(4) cores. Border zones are fine-grained selvages rarely more than a few
inches thick. Wall zones, next inside the border zones, generally are coarser
and much thicker. One or more intermediate zones separate the wall zone
and the core, and are typically coarser grained than the outer zones. Inter
mediate zones commonly are incomplete shells. Cores are irregularly len
1 Published by permission of the Director, U. S. Geological Survey.

1
2 E. N. CAMERON, R. H. JAHNS, A. H. McNAIR AND L. R. PAGE.

ticular units in a more or less central position in the wider parts of the
pegmatite. Normally the core contains very coarse-grained minerals.
Pegmatites in which zonal structure is poorly developed may contain small,
unevenly distributed coarse-grained minerals in lenses or pods, which simu
- -
late cores.
The sequence of mineral assemblages in the various districts studied
indicates a general sequence of units, based on essential minerals, from the
wall rock inward : (1) plagioclase, quartz, muscovite; (2) plagioclase,
quartz; (3) quartz, perthite, plagioclase with or without muscovite and/or
biotite; (4) perthite, quartz; (5) perthite, quartz, plagioclase, ambly
gonite, spodumene; (6) plagioclase, quartz, spodumene; (7) quartz, spodu
mene; (8) lepidolite, plagioclase, quartz; (9) quartz, microcline; (10)
microcline, plagioclase, lithia-mica, quartz; and (11) quartz. Few, if any,
pegmatites contain all eleven zones, but those that are present will be in
this sequence.
Many fracture-filling units are clearly contemporaneous with and have
the same zonal sequence as the inner zones. These units rarely are eco
nomically or quantitatively important.
Replacement bodies range from thin, discontinuous veinlets to units
several tens of feet thick and more than 500 feet long. They are irregular,
tabular, podlike, or sheetlike in shape. Their distribution in general is con
trolled by fractures, differences in lithology, or a combination of these
features. They are particularly common in pegmatites in New Mexico and
New England, and less common in South Dakota, Colorado, and other
areas.
Zones, the most abundant type of pegmatite unit, appear to have devel
oped from the walls inward, by crystallization of pegmatitic magma, essen
tially by fractional crystallization and incomplete reaction in a restricted
system. Some fracture fillings are offshoots of zones and therefore formed
by crystallization of pegmatitic magma; others formed from liquids that
have given rise to replacement bodies. -
The application of techniques used during these investigations has been
successfully tested in the prospecting, exploration, and development of sev
eral pegmatite mineral deposits. The close relation between structural
features and the sequence of mineralogical units, particularly the relation
of these units to the wall rock contact of the pegmatite, if properly used,
should decrease the hazards of mining.

INTRODUCTION.

Recent studies of strategic pegmatite mineral deposits were begun by the

U. S. Geological Survey in 1939, and work was done in several districts
between 1939 and mid-1942. As wartime demands for tantalum, mica, and
beryl became more and more urgent, the scope of the investigations was greatly
enlarged. Between the fall of 1942 and the spring of 1945 work was done
in most of the major pegmatite mining districts of the country, particularly
the Southeastern States, New England, Idaho, Montana, South Dakota,
Colorado, and New Mexico (Fig. 1).
Much of this work was done in cooperation with Colonial Mica Corpora
tion, Metals Reserve Company, the Federal Bureau of Mines, and other
government agencies. These agencies explored many mica-, beryllium-, lith
ium-, tantalum-, and tin-bearing pegmatites by diamond-drilling, trenching,
test pitting, stripping, and even by underground workings. Prior to ex
ploration, Survey geologists were asked to predict the structure of the peg
 INTERNAL STRUCTURE OF GRANITIC PEGMATITES. 3

matite bodies and the distribution of minerals sought within them. The
exploratory work provided a test of the predictions, and therefore of the
structural concepts upon which the predictions were founded.
The basic geologic work of the investigations consisted of detailed mapping
and structural analysis of pegmatite bodies. The demands of war forced the
systematic application of these methods to pegmatites at a time when an
extraordinary number of pegmatite deposits was being mined, and conditions
therefore were unusually favorable for geologic study. It was necessary to
revisit the more important mines periodically so that assistance with practical
problems could be provided, and many of the pegmatites were mapped and
studied at successive stages of exposure. Some pegmatite bodies were liter
ally followed from one end to the other, and a few nearly from top to bottom
as well. It therefore has been possible to obtain a three-dimensional picture
of the structure of many pegmatites and of the distribution of minerals within
them.
The easing of the mineral supply situation late in 1944 and early in 1945
gave the men still engaged in pegmatite studies an opportunity to compare
findings from different districts. It soon became apparent that many features
all

are common to the pegmatites of the major districts, especially they are

if
considered from the structural standpoint.

of
A
classification the structural
and lithologic units within pegmatites was developed out

of
the discussions
and presented here. Actual use has shown that this classification widely
is

is
applicable pegmatite bodies and

of
valuable tool the solution
in
to

economic
is
a
by

problems presented pegmatite mineral deposits.

The studies upon which this paper based consumed approximately 68
is

man-years work by the following men:

of

by

M. Bannerman (1942),
B. H.

N.

B.
New England, Cameron (1942–1945),
E.
In

A.J.
Hadley (1944), Hanley (1942),
D.

M. Larrabee (1942–1943, 1945), H.

J.

Maurice (1942), Olson (1940),

C.

McNair (1942–1945), Page

S.
C.

J.

J.
J.

Page (1942),
V.
R.

(1943–1945), Shainin (1943–1945),

L.

G.
E.

W. Stewart
(1943–1945). Studies by Page and Hanley early 1942 were under the direc
in

Later studies were under supervision

of
D.

Hewett and W.
F.

C.

tion Smith.
A.

H. M. Bannerman (1942–1943), N. Cameron (1943–1944), and

of

E.

H.
McNair (1944–1945).
Virginia, North and South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama, by Fryklund
V.
In

C.

(1943), Goldthwait (1944), W. W. Heinrich

R.

Griffitts (1943–1945),
L.

E.

H.

Husted (1944–1945), W.
R.

R.

(1943–1945), Irwin (1944–1945), Jahns

P.
T. J.

Klepper (1943–1944),
L. J. D.

Kesler (1939–1941), M.
R.

(1944–1946),
L.

M.
W. Lemke (1943–1945), (1944), III
C. R.

R.

Larrabee (1943–1944), Miller

R. J.

Norton (1942–1943), Olson (1939–1945), Page (1942–1943),

J.

J.
C. J.

º
Page (1942), M. Parker III (1943–1945), Pray (1944), W.
L.

Stoll
C.
J.

(1943), and Wolfe, Jr. (1944–1945).

R.

Studies were under supervision

of
J.

H. Jahns (1944–
R.

Kesler (1939–1941), Olson (1941–1944), and

C.
J.

Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota, and Colorado, by

In

W. Adams (1944–
J. J.

Hall (1942), Hanley (1942–

B.

1945), M. Erickson (1944–1945), W.

E.
P.

1946), W. Heinrich (1942–1943), Joralemon (1943–1944),

E.

Norton
P.

J.
J.

Pray (1943), W.
R.

(1943–1944), Page (1939, 1940, 1942–1946),

L.

L.
C.

C.
T.

R.
A.

Smith (1939), Stevens (1944–1945), Stopper (1943–1944), and

F.

Wayland (1939). this region were under the direction of

L. R.
R. G.

Studies
in

Page during part During 1943 and early

of

to

1942 and from 1943 1946.

4 E. N. CAMERON, R. H. JAHNS, A. H. McNAIR AND L. R. PAGE.

1944, studies in Colorado were in the charge of J. B. Hanley; in Idaho and Mon
tana, of W. C. Stoll. Studies in the Black Hills were in the charge of W. C.
Stoll during part of 1942.
In New Mexico and Arizona, by E. W. Heinrich (1943), W. P. Irwin (1942–1944),
R. H. Jahns (1942–1944), and L. A. Wright (1943–1944). Studies were under
the direction of R. H. Jahns.
In
its
early stages, the general program pegmatite investigations was partly under

of
G.

D.
R.
supervision Mansfield (1939–1942), partly under supervision

of

of

F.
Later, the entire program was directed by

C.
Hewett and W. Smith (1942).
Smith (1942),

H.

N.
W. M. Bannerman (1942–1944), and

E.
C.

Cameron
(1944–1946).

The paper therefore summarizes the findings many men with regard

of

to
pegmatite bodies. Each
of

of
the internal structure these men has contributed
pegmatite mineral deposits

of

of
the form detailed studies
in

essential data
and has been responsible some measure for the steady evolution
in tech

in

by
niques which characterized the war work. The guidance and direction
H. M. Bannerman the pegmatite program during this period made possible,
of

large measure, the results set forth this paper. Many men have taken
in

in
a

part discussions and exchanges information that led ultimately

to
of the
in

concepts here presented. addition, those men who remained engaged

In

in
pegmatite work 1944 and 1945 subjected the concepts the searching
in

to
field application pegmatite problems. The results discussed below
of

to

tests
joint work every sense, but interpre
as

of
are therefore the final tasks
in
a

the authors, they must assume

to

of

tation and collation have fallen the lot

responsibility for the conclusions
as

here presented.
Geographic and colloquial names used with the term “pegmatite” serve
merely

be
to
as

no sense are they

of

convenient means
in

reference and
a

considered formal geologic names.

GENERAL FEATURES OF GRANITIC PEGMATITES.

Distribution and Age.

Granitic pegmatites are widely distributed throughout the crystalline rock

They occur many geologic ages and
of

of

the United States. rocks

in

areas
are most abundant near the margins granitic intrusives.
of

of

Most the
important pegmatite districts are included three broad geographic belts
in

that for purposes this paper are referred the Appalachian, Rocky
to
as
of

Mountain, and the Western belts (Fig. 1). Landes (65)* has discussed
the distribution and age pegmatites
of

in

detail.
or

The Appalachian belt extends southwestward from Maine Alabama,

to
or

for distance 1,300 miles. includes productive formerly productive

of

It
a

districts Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York,

in

Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia,

In

and Alabama. this belt the pegmatites occur metamorphic and igneous
in

early, middle, and late Paleozoic age. Field relations and radio
of

rocks
p.

active age determinations (110, 339) suggest that the pegmatites New
in

Hampshire and eastern Connecticut are late Devonian age. Satisfactory age
of

parentheses refer bibliography paper.

of
to

at

Numbers end
in
2
 INTERNAL STRUCTURE OF GRANITIC PEGMATITES. 5

determinations for pegmatites in Maine are not available. They appear to be

associated with late Devonian and Mississippian rocks, and an analysis of
samarskite from a pegmatite near Topsham (32 p. 59), gives a Carboniferous
age for that pegmatite. The pegmatites at Branchville, Conn., and Bedford,
N. Y., may be of late Ordovician age (76). In the southeastern states the
pegmatites appear to be late Paleozoic in age, both in the Piedmont and Blue
Ridge provinces. Calculations of the age of uraninite in certain pegmatites of
the Spruce Pine district, N. C., however, give various results—251 million
years (46, pp. 342–344), and 358–382 million years (1, p. 213)—according to
which the age of the pegmatites would be in the Carboniferous-Ordovician
range. A calculation by a different method (11), in which monazite is used,
gives 600 million years and thus presumably suggests a pre-Cambrian age.
The Rocky Mountain belt includes pegmatite districts in Texas, New
Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho. The pegmatites
of the Black Hills area of South Dakota and the Central mineral region of
Texas, though in isolated uplifts, are for convenience grouped with those of
the Rocky Mountain belt. Most of the pegmatites of this belt are pre-Cam
brian in age and occur in metamorphic and igneous rocks that form the cores
of the Rocky Mountain ranges and associated uplifts.
The Western belt includes the pegmatite districts of Arizona, Nevada,
California, Oregon, and Washington. Most of the pegmatites in this belt
are genetically related to intrusive rocks of Mesozoic, Paleozoic, or pre
Cambrian age, but a few are Tertiary in age. They occur in the cores of
the basin ranges, in domical uplifts such as the Blue Mountains of Oregon,
in crystalline rocks of the Pacific Coast ranges, and in the pre-Cambrian of
the Grand Canyon.

Association of Pegmatites with Granitic Intrusives.

Most of the pegmatites from which valuable minerals have been recovered
occur in metamorphic rocks, chiefly in mica schist and gneiss, hornblende
schist and gneiss, and quartzite. Some occur in igneous rocks, where they
are associated with numerous small pegmatites of simple mineralogy and
texture. In a few areas, such as the Tinton district of South Dakota and
the Thomaston-Barnesville district of Upson, Monroe, and Lamar Counties,
Ga., no large granitic intrusives are known. In most districts, however, the
pegmatites are geographically associated with intrusives ranging in compo
sition from granite to granodiorite. Thus the pegmatites of Maine are asso
ciated with granites and quartz monzonites, most of the pegmatites of Colo
rado and New Mexico are associated with bodies of granite, and those of
Idaho with the Thatuna granodiorite batholith.
The bodies of granitic rocks range from stocks or batholiths in some
districts to small sills and dikes in others. Several pegmatites of the Franklin
Sylva district, N. C., have a core of slightly younger granitic rock. Granitic
sills and dikes are common near some of the larger pegmatites in the Appa
lachian and Rocky Mountain belts. In some places they transact the pegma
tites, but more commonly they occur as inclusions in pegmatite or are cut by
the pegmatite bodies.
 6 E. N. CAMERON, R. H. JAHNS, A. H. McNAIR AND L. R. PAGE.

Although geographic association of pegmatites

the with granites and
related intrusives is evident, the genetic relations between the two groups
of rocks are incompletely determined in many districts. This is especially
true in those districts where more than one type of granite or related intrusive
is present. Most of the productive pegmatites in New Hampshire are geo
graphically associated with rocks of the New Hampshire magma series—
Bethlehem gneiss, Kinsman quartz monzonite and Hitchcock's Concord gran
ite—described by Billings (7), Chapman (13), Page (86), Fowler-Lunn
(26), Hanley (37), and Kruger (56). Other pegmatites occur in or near
the intrusives of Billings' earlier Oliverian magma series and the intrusives
of the later New Hampshire magma series, but few are of commercial im
portance. The Bethlehem gneiss and Kinsman quartz monzonite occur as
large east-dipping sheets that are concordant in general to the regional folia
tion. In the Grafton district most of the larger pegmatites occur in quartz
mica schists of the Littleton formation, and overlie the Bethlehem gneiss.
The pegmatites of the Keene district are in rocks of the Littleton formation
that underlie the Bethlehem gneiss. Some pegmatites occur within the Beth
lehem gneiss, chiefly in the upper parts of the sheets, and those studied have
oligoclase ranging in composition from Ani,

as.
The pegmatites the schists

in
Billings' Littleton formation, Partridge formation and Ammonoosuc vol
of

the Kinsman gneiss and Hitchcock's Concord granite,

as

or as

canics, well
in

those
contain albite sodic oligoclase (An, 12). This corresponds the plagio

to
the Kinsman and Concord, suggesting genetic relation
of

of

clase the rocks

a
ship, but much more work The pegmatites
to

needed test this correlation.

is

small irregular stocks Concord granite contain albite (An,

of

and

n)
to

related
are commonly associated closely with aplitic rocks similar age.
of

the Middletown district, Hartford and Middlesex Counties, Conn., many

In

lie

the pegmatites the Bolton schist and Maromas granite-gneiss near

of

in

body granitic granodioritic Monson gneiss and

of

of

the western contact

to
a

few occur the Monson gneiss itself. Except for this spatial relationship,
in
a

however, there little evidence that the Monson gneiss, rather than other
is

granitic intrusives the area, the pegmatites. Cross-cutting

of
in

the source
is

relationships suggest that more than one genetic group pegmatites may
of

present.
be

The Franklin-Sylva district North Carolina and Georgia contains many

of

large irregular intrusive mass quartz

to

pegmatites that are satellitic

of
a

They are most abundant near

its

diorite and granodiorite. hanging wall

its

and adjacent crest, which plunges gently northeast. The pegmatites

to

Spruce district, N. C., parts and around the edges

of of

Pine are the outer

in

the
In

several irregular bodies leuco-granodiorite and quartz diorite.

of

the
Mitchell and Yancey Counties detailed studies have shown
of

Crabtree area
that most pegmatites within the leuco-granodiorite are parallel primary
to
a

layering rock, pegmatites suggest

of

the host
in

and the contacts the that these

bodies formed shortly after the leuco-granodiorite itself.
In

the Petaca
New Mexico the pegmatites are the outer parts large granite
of

of

district
in

body and, more commonly, the schist and quartzite above Similar
it.
in
by

relationships are suggested pegmatites around granitic

of

the distribution
 7
INTERNAL STRUCTURE OF GRANITIC PEGMATITES.

bodies in Colorado, Wyoming, South Dakota, Montana, Idaho, and other

parts of New Mexico.

Contrasts Between Groups of Pegmatites Associated with Various Intrusives.

All granitic pegmatites are similar in that they are composed essentially
of quartz and feldspars, with which more or less muscovite, tourmaline,
garnet, and other, rarer, minerals may be present. In addition, they are
characterized by uneven textures that in general are coarse.
However, there are many contrasts in mineralogy, texture, and structure,
among groups of pegmatites in different regions, and even between groups that
lie within a single region but are associated with different intrusives. As
pointed out long ago by Brögger (12), this latter fact is one of the strongest
indications of a parental relation of the intrusives to the pegmatites. Differ
ences in physical conditions of formation, and differences in degree of reaction
of pegmatitic solutions with wall rocks are undoubtedly responsible for some
of the contrasts between groups of pegmatites, but it is evident that intrinsic
differences in the compositions of pegmatitic solutions given off by various
magmas have played a leading role.
peg

all
In the tin-spodumene belt of the Carolinas (54, pp. 245–269) nearly
matites contain spodumene, but west this particular belt, spodumene
of

rare

is
of a
mineral. The pegmatites general from those
of

the Carolinas differ the

in

Black Hills that they have beryl and amblygonite only

of

South Dakota
in

rare constituents. Microlite, topaz, and apatite are common accessory

as

several pre-Cambrian pegmatites the Sangre Cristo Range

de
of

minerals
in

New Mexico, pre-Cambrian pegmatites

of
but are absent from the the
in

Petaca district, not far further contrast, the topaz- and micro
In
to

the west.
lite-bearing pegmatites the Amelia district, Virginia, contain very little
of

apatite. Graftonite and triphylite are found pegmatites

in of

number
in

in
a

New Hampshire and few Maine, but are totally lacking the pegmatites
of in
a

great many such contrasts can

be of

the Middletown district Connecticut.

A

drawn between districts, even between parts

or

of

districts.
Contrasts are most common between groups pegmatites associated with
of

different ages, but they are likewise found between groups asso
of

intrusives
the same general age.
of

ciated with different intrusive masses Associated

with various pre-Cambrian granitic intrusives Colorado, for example, are
in

mica-bearing pegmatites Fremont and Park Coun

of

the Micanite district

in

ties, beryl-bearing pegmatites the Crystal Mountain district Larimer

in

in in
El

County, fluorite-rich pegmatites the St. Peters Dome district Paso

in

County, and pegmatites rich lepidolite, microlite, and topaz the Quartz
in

in

Creek district Gunnison County.

in

Within groups pegmatites, mineral composition are

of

wide variations
in

found, and
be
to

few districts there appears systematic variation

in

in
a

pegmatite composition with distance from the associated, presumably related

Gevers (30) noted that the Erongo tin fields
of

intrusive. southwest
in

Africa, the occurrence

of

certain minerals bears definite relation distance

to
a

from the parent granite bodies. Hanley (39) observed that the Poland
in
8 E. N. CAMERON, R. H. JAHNS, A. H. McNAIR AND L. R. PAGE.

quadrangle in Maine, pegmatites containing beryl and potash feldspar oc

cur closer to the contact of the adjacent granite than do the lithium-bearing
pegmatites. The pegmatites rich in mica and tourmaline occur in the area
extending from the granite contact to beyond the lithium-bearing pegmatites.
In the Petaca district, N. M., most pegmatites rich in monazite and tantalum

lie
columbium minerals away from the granite contact, and the pegmatites
within the granite body are almost barren

In
the Franklin

of
these minerals.
Sylva district North Carolina and Georgia, beryl and green muscovite
of genetically related grano
in

pegmatites

of
occur the main mass

to
nearest
diorite, and brownish-olive and brown muscovite occur pegmatites farther

in
N.
In

away. the Spruce Pine district, C., green muscovite most abundant

is
near granodiorite intrusives, whereas brownish-olive and
or

pegmatites
in

in

brown varieties occur farther away. Maurice (73, pp. 173–179) notes that
the granodio

or
coarse microcline most abundant the pegmatites near

in

in
is

rites and that general the plagioclase progressively more calcic away from
in

is
the granodiorites. These examples are enough indicate that such variations

to
offer promising field for further and more systematic study.
a

Although there are indications systematic variations the mineralogy

of

in
pegmatites with distance from the source,

so
of

few districts have been studied

comprehensively that conclusions the importance this regional type
as

of
to

zoning must Certainly such regional zoning,

be

accepted with reservation.

if of

indeed exists, much overlapping

be

of
far from clearcut. There must
is
it

by
zones, for many districts several types pegmatites occur side
of
in

side.
The concept appealing simplicity, but may its
of

zonal distribution
in
is

in it
greater importance
be

con
or

equal
of

that factors other than distance are

trolling the distribution types pegmatites.
of

of

Type Pegmatite Type Wall Rock.

of

of

of

Relation
to

has been suggested that there relationship between mineralogic

It

is
as of a

types pegmatite and the composition the enclosing wall rock. Sheet
of

no
mica bearing pegmatites have been cited one example
of

this. There is
the productive sheet-mica bearing pegmatites the country
of

of

doubt that most

occur mica schists and mica-bearing quartzites, and the idea that the mica
in

some way incorporation and redeposition

to

of

content aluminous
in

due
is

an

pointed out, however,

be

material from schists attractive one. should

It
is

the wall rock clearly has been

of

that some districts much

in

in

the mica
pointed out that sheet-mica
be

derived from the pegmatites. also should

It

bearing pegmatites rock, particularly

do

other types
of

occur hornblende
in

in

igneous rocks. New England, for example, productive

In

schists and
in

pegmatites are found quartz monzonite, granites several different kinds,

of
in

aplite, hornblende schist, and even calc-silicate gneiss and silicated marble.
On the Anderson-Bailey property, East Hampton, Conn., the only productive
on

pegmatite hornblende schist. The remaining pegmatites

in

enclosed
is

the property are enclosed mica schist but have yielded little sheet mica.
in

Moreover, the productive pegmatites any given schist area New England
of in

in

only very pegmatites.

of

constitute small fraction the total number These

a
 INTERNAL STRUCTURE OF GRANITIC PEGMATITES. 9

remarks suffice to indicate that no sweeping generalizations are justified by

present knowledge.

Sige and Shape.

Pegmatites vary greatly in size and shape. They range from a few inches
to more than a mile in length and from a fraction of an inch to more than
500 feet in width. Most are very small tabular bodies less than 4 feet thick,
and few of these contain economic concentrations of minerals. Most of the
pegmatites that have been mined in the various districts of the country range
from 100 feet to 1,000 feet in length and from 5 feet to 100 feet in thickness.
Many of these are tubular or thinly lenticular, but others are branching,
irregular, or teardrop-shaped. Pipelike, cigar-shaped, arcuate, troughlike,
and sinuous forms are less common. Many of the thicker lenses have one
blunt edge, ordinarily the crest; the other end generally is less blunt or taper
ing. Many of the more tabular bodies have two tapered ends; lenses of this
shape are especially abundant in the northern and northeastern parts of
the Spruce Pine district, N. C. (Fig. 2). Overlapping lenses of pegmatite
along definite structural zones are not uncommon. One illustration is the
Muscovite pegmatite, Latah County, Idaho, which has been described by Stoll
(115). In places there are large bodies of rock consisting of pegmatite lenses
separated only by thin partings of schist.
The shapes of many pegmatites are influenced greatly by the type of wall
rock. Some pegmatites in granite are very irregular, but most of them are
tabular or branching bodies, obviously formed along joints and fractures.
Tabular and branching bodies are most numerous in areas of granite and
other more competent rocks such as quartzite, amphibole schist, and gneiss.
Networks of pegmatites are abundant in the more highly jointed rocks. In
the more strongly foliated schists pegmatites are commonly lenticular, but
teardrop, pipelike, arcuate, or sinuous forms are found in the more highly
folded areas.

Relations of Pegmatites to Wall-Rock Structures.

Pegmatite bodies range from concordant to markedly discordant. There
is a marked relationship between mode of occurrence and the structural char
acteristics of the enclosing rocks. In competent rocks such as weakly foliated
granite, gneiss, and quartzite, the pegmatites occupy fractures that commonly
transect foliation or bedding. In schists, on the other hand, pegmatites con
formable with foliation are the rule, though many exceptions are known. In
rocks in which both foliation or bedding and fractures were well developed
at the time of pegmatite emplacement, the contacts of many pegmatite bodies
are in part concordant, in part discordant. The Ashley pegmatite of Rumney,
N. H., shows this feature strikingly. In general the contacts with interbedded
mica schist and mica quartzite are concordant, but locally the contacts follow
strong joints that cut sharply across both bedding and foliation. The Ann
pegmatite, Custer County, S. D., is in interbedded schist and quartzite. In
places the contact of pegmatite and wall rocks is a series of irregular steps,
with successive concordant and discordant segments.
 10

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 INTERNAL STRUCTURE OF GRANITIC PEGMATITES. 11

Many pegmatites that occur in schistose rocks have structural features

parallel to structures in the metamorphic rocks. In the Black Hills of South
Dakota most pegmatites that are conformable with the regional foliation plunge
parallel to the plunge of the linear structure in the adjacent schist, but those
that are discordant generally plunge parallel to the intersections of the frac
tures along which emplacement occurred. In the Petaca district, there is
a marked correspondence between the plunge of drag folds and minor crenu
lations in both quartzite and schist wall rocks and the plunge of the com
mercially productive pegmatite bodies. Some New England pegmatites in
schist likewise plunge parallel to linear structures in the adjacent schists.
A secondary foliation is commonly, induced in schist along contacts with
pegmatites. In easily deformed rocks this foliation extends as much as several

all
feet outward from the contact and is parallel in minute detail to irregularities

In
contact, including pegmatite question.
of

of
the keel and crest the

in
the the
Tinton district, D., this foliation also parallels gneissic structure within the
S.

a
pegmatite body. Secondary foliation wall rocks found along both con
in

is
formable and disconformable bodies.
During emplacement some pegmatites the wall rocks were deformed and
of

pre-existing foliation, bedding, and folds were deformed and crumpled the

in
schist adjacent
to

of

of
the contacts. Some these folds show that both walls
the pegmatite have been dragged upward the same direction.
in

Wall Rocks Adjacent Pegmatites.

of

Alteration
to
by

pegmatitic materials
of

of

Alteration the wall rocks the introduction

is
common, especially along the borders pegmatites.
of

discordant Around some

pegmatites this alteration has resulted layers feldspar
of of

of
the formation
in

granulite. Around others has caused development tourmaline, beryl,

it

mica, feldspar. At the Nancy No. mine, Groton, N. H., sheet mica has
or

been produced chiefly from crystals muscovite formed with quartz and
of

recrystallized quartz-mica schist (Fig.

3)

feldspar bordering pegmatite

in

body.

HIStoriCAL REVIEW.

Many pegmatites are such simple aggregates quartz, feldspar, and

of

accessory minerals that they cannot readily contrasting

be

of

divided into units

mineralogy texture. They appear only one clearly recog
or

of

consist
to

nizable lithologic type pegmatite, and they may constitute the bulk
of

of
In

pegmatite material general, however, they have received

in

some areas.
much less attention than pegmatites that are lithologically and structurally
all

more complex. This latter group comprises nearly rare-mineral pegma

feldspar, mica, beryl,
of

tites and those that contain minable concentrations

and other minerals. Although few observers have emphasized
of

lack
a

system the arrangement minerals within pegmatites, many students

of
in

have recognized more lithologic units, which they

or

or

less distinct structural

streaks, bands, veins, layers, shoots, lenses, Despite
or
as

designated zones.
work that was done, there was little detailed mapping and
of

the amount
12 E. N. CAMERON, R. H. JAHNS, A. H. McNAIR AND L. R. PAGE.

structural analysis of pegmatites prior to 1942. In considering the origin

of pegmatites, most authors have treated each pegmatite body as a whole.
Although definite types of units have been recognized frequently, the relation
ships of these types to one another, the sequences of units in various types
of pegmatites, and the over-all structure of pegmatite bodies have not been
clearly described and explained.
The first American geologist to recognize a systematic internal structure
in pegmatites appears to have been Hunt (47, pp. 89, 182–186), who noted
that many “granitic veinstones” in Brunswick, Topsham, and Newry, Maine,
contain a remarkable banded arrangement “formed by successive deposits of
mineral matter.” Newton and Jenney (82, p. 71) noted a roughly concentric
disposition of minerals around the quartz nucleus of a pegmatite in Custer
Park, Custer, S. D. The concentric structure of the Etta pegmatite Keystone,
S. D., was recognized by Blake (10, pp. 606–607), who described three zones
around a central core. He published a map (prepared by G. E. Bailey) show
ing the zonal structure of the pegmatite. Brögger (12) recognized that some
pegmatites had zonal structures and concluded that they were formed in suc
cessive magmatic and hydrothermal stages. Brögger's contribution to peg
matite structure and genesis has been confirmed by many subsequent workers
and stands as an important foundation for much of the later work on these
bodies.
Crosby and Fuller (18, p. 157) described “bands” of albite along the walls
and a “band” of smoky quartz in the center of a thin pegmatite in Chesterfield,
Mass., and stated that the distinct banding indicated successive deposition of
the minerals. Spurr (113, p. 231) and Julien (52, p. 508) described peg
matites with marginal zones and central quartz cores. Warren and Palache
(119, pp. 125–171) described a concentric zonal arrangement of minerals in
the pipelike pegmatites at Quincy, Mass., and stated that the structure and
composition of each zone demonstrate a progressive segregation of mineral
forming compounds. One of their maps shows three contrasting zones around
a core. Grout (33, pp. 185-197) described zoned pegmatites associated with
the Duluth gabbro. Kemp (53, pp. 708, 709, 722) discussed the zonal struc
tures of pegmatites and concluded that differentiation of the pegmatite in
situ led to deposition of successive layers of contrasting composition inward
from the walls.
Makinen (71, p. 22), Zeigler (121, pp. 264—277), Galpin (29, p. 27),
Laubmann and Steinmetz (70, p. 584), Lacroix (57, pp. 310, 355–356),
Foye (27, pp. 7–12), and others contributed to the concepts of replacement
structures in pegmatites, and special recognition is due Fersmann (22, 22a)
for his work on the role of late hydrothermal solutions. Sterrett (114, p. 609)
recognized that mica occurs in “veins” along one or both walls of certain
pegmatites, and that it commonly occurs on one or both sides of central quartz
“streaks” (cores).
In 1925 Cook (17, pp. 185–188), Hess and Wells (44, pp. 289–298), Landes
(58, pp. 355-411), Müllbauer (81, pp. 318–336) and Schaller (101, pp. 269–
279) described replacement structures in pegmatites and emphasized the im
portance of hydrothermal activity in the later stages of pegmatite formation.
 3.
1

in
FIG. Mica crystal recrystallized quartz-mica schist. Nancy No. mine, Groton, New Hampshire.
ECONOMIC
---
-
- …
º
--
GE OLOGY, Mon.
-
2
--
CAMERON, et al, Plate 2
---

Fig. 8.

quartz-lath
ºsº º
quarry. Outer massive quartz (dark) overlain by beryl-feldspathic
spodumene inner zone. Microcline-spodumene
Cleavelandite-pink
T
Harding pegmatite, Taos Co., New Mexico. Top: Upper part of dike, main
zone and underlain by
core below levels. Bottom:
muscovite pegmatite, a part of replaced inner intermediate zone. Thin
platy aggregates of muscovite scales (dark) are replaced spodumene laths.
 INTERNAL STRUCTURE OF GRANITIC PEGMATITES. 13

Andersen (2, pp. 1–55) described in detail sharply defined zones in several
pegmatites of southern Norway. He attributed the zonal structure to suc
cessive stages of crystallization from the wall rock toward the center of the
body, and accounted for the lack of mineral replacement (excepting wide
spread muscovitization and albitization) to the absence of a late lithium phase.
Derry (20, pp. 454–475), also recognized concentric zonal structures and
mapped the units in the Silver Leaf lithium pegmatite in the Winnipeg area,
Canada. Other zoned pegmatites were noted by Grout (34, p. 258), Landes
(62, p. 382, 66, p. 326), and Hitchen (45, p. 9).
Roy, Sharma, and Chattopadhyay (99, pp. 145–164) described concentri
cally zoned pegmatites of the Kodarma region, India, and used diagrams to
illustrate the generalized sequence of units in mica-bearing pegmatites. The
muscovite in units adjacent to the walls and quartz cores of pegmatites in the
Kodarma region were attributed to the desilicification of microcline by solu
tions that introduced albite-oligoclase.
Other zoned pegmatites were noted by McLaughlin (74, pp. 46–68) and
Shaub (111, pp. 675–678). Smith and Page (112, pp. 595-630) described
layered structures in the tin-bearing pegmatites of the Tinton district, S. D.,
and listed the age sequence of the layers. Olson (85, p. 374–5) described in
considerable detail the generalized zonal structure of pegmatites of New
Hampshire. Later papers by Pecora (94, p. 406), Bannerman (3, p. 9),
Uspensky (118, pp. 437–447), de Almeida, Johnston, Leonardos and Scorza
(19, p. 209), Norman (83), and Johnston (51), contain descriptions of
pegmatites with systematic zonal structures. Cameron, Larrabee, McNair,
and Stewart (15), and the same authors with Page and Shainin (16)
described zones and other lithologic and structural units in mica-bearing
pegmatites of New England and used these features as a basis for classifying
the mica deposits into five major types. Similar studies of beryl-bearing
pegmatites were made by Page, Hanley and Heinrich (92), on pegmatites
of complex mineralogy, by Jahns and Wright (50), Page (91), and Hanley
(38), and on mica-bearing pegmatites by Olson (85), by Olson, Parker, and
Page (84), Heinrich (41), and by Griffitts, Heinrich, Jahns, Olson, and
Parker (36). Johnston (51, pp. 1024–1068) described the zoning of the beryl
tantalite pegmatites of northeastern Brazil and stated that the zones represent,
in general, the dominant order of crystallization of the pegmatite minerals.
Jahns (49, pp. 39–51) described in detail the internal structures of pegmatites
in the Petaca district, N. M.
Since 1925, many men have contributed data on replacement in pegmatites.
Among these are Björlykke (8), Derry (20), Fersmann (24), Fraser (28),
Gevers (31), Hess (42), Landes (59, 61, 63, 65, 67), Palache (93), Pegau
(95, 96, 97), Schaller (102, 105, 107), and Switzer (116).

PEGMATITE UNITS.

General Statement.

Though recognition of distinct lithologic and structural units within

pegmatite bodies dates back over a long period of years, there have been
14 E. N. CAMERON, R. H. JAHNS, A. H. McNAIR AND L. R. PAGE.

few attempts to define such units individually or by types, or even to discuss

them in a systematic way. This is because few pegmatites were mapped in
detail, most pegmatites are imperfectly exposed, and in most of the earlier
pegmatite investigations strong emphasis was placed upon questions of min
eralogy and genesis. Recent field studies have demonstrated a very real need
for a stable but flexible classification and terminology of pegmatite units, so
that descriptions can be as clear as possible and genesis and other problems
can readily be discussed. The definitions and definitive discussions in the
following paragraphs are intended to fill this need. Although they are
based on detailed examination and mapping of hundreds of pegmatites, the
definitions and classification should be regarded not as rigorous and wholly
fixed, but as parts of a framework that can be expanded and altered as more
comprehensive basic data become available.
The structural and lithologic units within some pegmatites are much better
known than those within others, because in some pegmatites the relations
between units are more clearly exposed, the units themselves are more com
pletely exposed, or the units have been studied in greater detail. It therefore
seems desirable to classify and define such units as simply as possible, hence
chiefly on the basis of structure. A genetic classification is not feasible, as
there is no general agreement concerning the origin of pegmatites, and cer
tainly no one theory of origin seems applicable to all. It has proven impos
sible, however, to divorce the classification entirely from genetic considerations,
hence a compromise has been adopted. It is suggested that pegmatite bodies
be analyzed primarily according to their structural features, but with the
recognition that some of these features have obvious genetic implications.
Those whose origin is less clear are treated solely on a descriptive basis; it
is possible that significant new data will later require changes in their
assignment. *

The lithologic and structural units found within pegmatite bodies differ
in mineralogy or texture, or both. Three basic types of units are distin
-
guished and are defined as follows:

1. Fracture fillings are units, generally tabular, that fill fractures in previ
ously consolidated pegmatite.
2. Replacement bodies are units formed primarily by replacement of pre
existing pegmatite, with or without obvious structural control.
3. Zones are successive shells, complete or incomplete, that reflect to
varying degrees the shape or structure of the pegmatite body. Where
ideally developed they are concentric about an innermost zone or core.
Some concentric units, however, are not zones but belong in the cate
gories above.

The general relationships of the three groups of units are shown diagram
matically in Figure 4.
Pegmatite units range from tiny fracture-filling veinlets to bodies several
hundred feet long and more than 50 feet in minimum dimension. Many differ
markedly from adjacent units and show knife-sharp boundaries against them.
Contacts between other units are gradational, and in some very coarse-grained
INTERNAL STRUCTURE OF GRANITIC PEGMATITES. 15

-.
16 E. N. CAMERON, R. H. JAHNS, A. H. McNAIR AND L. R. PAGE.

pegmatites cannot be fixed within several feet. In general the sharpest bound
aries are between units markedly different in composition or texture, and the
broadly gradational boundaries are between coarse-grained units of similar
mineralogy. Most boundaries can be located within one or 2 feet wherever
exposures are good, and few are so gradational that they cannot be mapped
conveniently on scales of 20 or 25 feet to an inch. Experience indicates that
geologists working independently generally agree within narrow limits on
the locations of contacts, provided each uses the same diagnostic minerals
or textures as the basis for distinguishing the pegmatite units.
The different types of units are developed to varying degrees in various
districts. Thus, replacement bodies are strikingly developed in the Petaca
district of New Mexico, and in many pegmatites such units are important both
quantitatively and economically. Fracture fillings are numerous, though
quantitatively and economically unimportant, in the same district, in the Black
Hills, in New England, and in other districts. In

all
the major pegmatite
mining districts investigated during the war, however, zones are quantitatively
the most important type unit, forming the bulk the pegmatites studied,
of

of
and they are therefore discussed first the succeeding sections. Moreover,
in

all
principal nearly pegmatite
of

zones are the commercial minerals

in
sources
districts.
The textures individual units within pegmatites vary widely, and for
of

purposes description, the term “pegmatitic” inadequate. The following

of

is
size classification used for pegmatite textures here described:
is

Term General grain size”

3.
Fine Less than 1inch
Medium

*
to inches

-
4 1

º
Coarse to 12 inches tº-ºº:
Very coarse Greater than 12 inches

The textural irregularity most pegmatites well known, and ordinarily

of

is

the range grain size great.

In
even the most homogeneous
of

units
in

is

addition, some units contain crystals very large size

or

of

mineral masses
with respect the rock; their textures are porphyritic on
of

the remainder
to

giant scale.
a

of

General Features Zones.

the containing pegmatite body, and

a or

Zones reflect the shape

of

structure
where ideally developed pod-shaped pegmatite they are shells concentric
or in

core (Figs.
In

23, 49). most pegmatites, how

an

5,

about innermost zone

ever, one more zones are incomplete discontinuous, and occur pods,
or

or

as

straight curving layers and lenses; pipelike, troughlike, hoodlike bodies;

or

or

lenses; more irregular bodies (Fig. 6). There are all grada
or
as
of

chains
tions between complete zones and those that are developed only along one
pegmatite body, but whether complete
or

or

incomplete,
of
at

side one end

a

given pegmatite consistently reflect the form and structure

of

the zones
in
a

that body, commonly considerable detail. Individual zones generally are

in

By grain size crystal

of

its maximum dimension here intended.

is
a
*
INTERNAL STRUCTURE OF GRANITIC PEGMATITES.

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 INTERNAL STRUCTURE OF GRANITIC PEGMATITES. 19

far less perfectly developed than those shown in Figure 5 (e.g. Figs. 28, 35,
38, :41, 32), but nevertheless most are easily identified by their curvature
and relations to other zones and to the pegmatite-wall rock contacts.
Two or more zones that are clearly defined in parts of a given pegmatite
may appear elsewhere to merge along their dip or strike into a single unit
whose composition corresponds to the bulk composition of the zones combined.
The position of this single unit with respect to the adjacent zones is the same
as that occupied jointly in other parts of the pegmatite by the zones into which
the single unit can be traced. Such “telescoping” of zones is most common
in podlike pegmatites and in some elongate pegmatites with local bulges or
more irregular protuberances (Fig.27); several examples are cited in connec
tion with the following detailed discussions of zones. This feature is not to
be confused with the simple tapering out of one zone between two more
continuous units.

ExPLANATION

* . ..
* x.
quartz
Massive
* -
t
Coarseblocky
perthite
w *J
N,
Plagioclase-quartz
pegmatite
- k
Plagioclase-perthite
quartzpegmatite

0. 5 to -
20 -3d 40 50feet

FIGURE 7. IDEALIZED PLANS OF POD-SHAPED AND PINCHING-AND-SWELLING PEGMATITE BODIES.

SHOWING TYPICAL ALONG-STRIKE TELESCOPING OF ZONES

Zones vary greatly in distinctness. In some pegmatites (Fig. 8, top;

Fig. 9) mineralogical or textural contrasts between zones are so sharply de
fined that the zonal structure is evident even from casual inspection. In
others, zonal structure becomes evident only after detailed study, large-scale
mapping, and careful structural analysis.
Although the definition of zones specifically excludes units developed by
replacement of pre-existing pegmatite, the outermost zones of some pegmatites
may well have been developed, entirely or in part, through replacement of
country rock. The distinction between zones and replacement bodies as
defined here is not always easily made, even though the two kinds of units
are fundmentally different in genesis and significance. Some replacement
bodies, especially those controlled by zonal structure, are concentric about the
pegmatite core. The designation of some units as zones therefore must be
tentative, pending conclusive determination of their origin.
20 E. N. CAMERON, R. H. JAHNS, A. H. McNAIR AND L. R. PAGE.

The following classification of zones is proposed: “ ^*

1. Border zones
2. Wall zones
3. Intermediate zones
4. Cores

Border or outermost zones are relatively fine-grained selvages that are not
more than a few inches thick in most pegmatites. Wall zones, next inside
the border zones, generally are coarser and much thicker. Although they
actually are the second zones from the margins of pegmatite bodies, they are
designated as “wall zones” in recognition of a terminology firmly established

EXPLANATION

x X x º y

Quartz pegmatite Plagioclase-quartz pegmatite

º 19 29 30 49 sº feet

FIGURE IO-IDEALIZED PLANS OF PEGMATITE BODIES, SHOWING TYPICAL

DISTRIBUTION OF QUARTZ-RICH CORE SEGMENTS IN A SINUOUS, PINCHING-AND
SWELLING PLAGIOCLASE-QUARTZ DIKE (TOP) AND ABUNDANT SCATTERED QUARTZ
RICH PODS IN A THICKER AND MORE REGULAR DIKE (BorroM)

in the domestic pegmatite mining industry. Most border zones are of little
economic significance, and hence in the industry they have not been distin
guished from the adjoining wall zones. The innermost zone, or core, gen
erally occurs at or near the center of a pegmatite body, commonly as an
elongate lens or as a series of disconnected segments (Fig. 10, top). Any zone
between the core and the wall zone is an intermediate zone. There is no

4 Geologists of the U. S. Geological Survey who studied mica-bearing pegmatites in Minas

Gerais, Brazil, in 1942–45, employ the term “border zone” to include both the border and wall
zone as used in this paper. See Pecora, W. T., Klepper, M. R., and Larrabee, D. M., Mica
Deposits in Minas Gerais: U. S. Geol. Survey Bull. 864 (in press).
ECONOMIC GEOLOGY, Mon. 2 CAMERON, et al, Plate 3

ºcº º -º-
- º:
---
&º.
º . -
º->
-

FIG. 9. Zonal structure in Kept Man pegmatite, Elk Mountain mine, San Miguel Co., New
Mexico. Main wall of pit is coarse perthite-quartz of wall zone. Massive quartz core is beneath
men, and core-margin replacement body rich in book muscovite was mined in stope behind men.
ECONOMIC GEOLOGY, Mon. 2 CAMERON, et al, Plate 4

FIG. 68. Main footwall mica shoot, Globe pegmatite, Rio Arriba Co., New Mexico. Large
perthite crystal above hammer is rimmed and veined by white albite, thick muscovite books to
left are partly albitized.
 INTERNAL STRUCTURE OF GRANITIC PEGMATITES. 21

theoretical limit to the number of intermediate zones, but few pegmatites con
tain more than three mappable intermediate zones. Wherever two or more
are present, they may be designated by letter, number, or by such terms as
“outer,” “middle,” and “inner.” “Core-margin zone” is a term that has been
applied to the innermost intermediate zones of some pegmatites. Zones, as
well as other units, are designated by names that express composition in
terms of essential minerals, e.g. perthite-quartz pegmatite, plagioclase-quartz
perthite pegmatite. The order of mineral names in the designation is approxi
mately the decreasing order of abundance of the minerals.
The outer zones of a pegmatite generally are much more regular and con
tinuous than the inner zones. Many intermediate zones are lenticular, and
many are so unevenly or incompletely developed that the pegmatites are
markedly asymmetric in internal structure (Figs. 11, 67). Asymmetry,
discontinuity, or other irregularities of zones nearest the walls are far less
common, though by no means rare. In some pegmatites the cores are single
lenses or pods, but in others—particularly those that are very elongate or
very irregular in shape—the cores are markedly discontinuous, and consist
of two or more segments that commonly occur in or near the central parts
of bulges. The core segments generally correspond to these bulges in shape
and attitude, and their size commonly is a reflection of the dimensions of the
bulge as well (Figs. 10, 47).
Many large pegmatites in which zonal structure is not well developed con
tain irregular lenses that are coarser than the surrounding rock. These lenses
are most abundant near the centers of some pegmatites; they appear to be
small segments of poorly developed discontinuous cores. In other pegmatites
they are scattered from wall to wall (Figs. 10, bottom, 51). Such scattered
lenses appear to have been formed as segregations, probably from isolated
bodies of pegmatitic solutions that were trapped within solid pegmatite. The
zone sequence outward from each lens or pod is consistent within a single
pegmatite body, and follows the normal zone sequence for the district. Every
gradation between pod-bearing pegmatites, and well-zoned pegmatites with
discontinuous cores has been observed. -
º *

A few pegmatites that contain abundant wall-rock inclusions are zonally

complex (Fig. 14). Evidently their structure is irregular mainly because
the zones developed not only with respect to the pegmatite walls, but also
with respect to some of the inclusions. Similar irregularities occur in some
pegmatites that are complicated by wall-rock septa (Fig. 11). The distribu
tion of zones, especially border and wall zones, closely reflects the positions
of these septa, whether they are thick, stubby projections or merely long
wisps of schist. The former positions of other septa which were wholly
digested by the pegmatite can be detected by the anomalous positions of zones
in some pegmatites (Fig. 11).
It is impossible to understand the internal structure of a zoned pegmatite
from a two-dimensional exposure. Successive horizontal or vertical sections
commonly yield different zonal patterns, even in deposits of very regular
structure. Some of these differences are very striking. The idealized peg
12,

matite body shown in Figure for example, consists only

of

border zone
a
22 E. N. CAMERON, R. H. JAHNS, A. H. McNAIR AND L. R. PAGE.

- ---
* -- -v. ~---
> + - - --
*
5 E =
|- 15 s
-
- E Fºl 5. *=5 #=3
* >.
-- - $
*G
~ -*
3. -- - - -
3 =5
* E> --
#=#
:
i -
#3 3 #s
- & #§ # =
3
# 3&
5
> # -: #3&
5. a-
a E

3
 INTERNAL STRUCTURE OF GRANITIC PEGMATITES. 23

- *
-1.-1 I
||

--
|| ||
& Core

Aztermezzate zozze
\\ Ř
Ñ }
}
N

!
ro-1

•
Ģ
Scalze zzz reed:
H+

IG. 12. Idealized block diagram of a zoned pegmatite, showing appearance of

zones at different levels.
24 E. N. CAMERON, R. H. JAHNS, A. H. McNAIR AND L. R. PAGE.

and a wall zone at the surface, whereas an intermediate zone is present at

the 50-foot level and the core does not extend far above the 150-foot level.
Thus the deposit might appear to be very simply zoned if scrutinized at the
surface, or the intermediate zone might be easily mistaken for the core if
study were confined to the 50-foot and 100-foot levels. Interpretation of
structure from limited exposures should be made with caution, although the
size, shape, and attitude of the pegmatite body commonly are good clues to
many pegmatite mining districts,

In

is
it.
the distribution of zones within

it
most important recognize the probable presence

to

of
additional zones not
predict the downward distribution

to
exposed

of
the surface and zones that
at

do appear there. zonal structure with other structural fea

of
Correlations
tures both pegmatite and wall rock are therefore desirable.
in

some zones, and are due con

of
Planar structures are characteristic

to
or
platy minerals,

to
of

of
sistent orientation tabular concentration certain

by
parts mineralogic variations. The so-called

or
the zones,
of

minerals
in

“streaky” “schistose” pegmatites commonly contain parallel subparallel

or

or
layers that consist
or

range
of

more minerals. These thickness from

in
one
more, and some are very sharply
12

or
to
of

small fraction an inch inches

a

Layering and gneissic structure are particularly common the

in
defined.
pegmatites the Tinton district, D., the Haystack Range, Wyo., the Spruce
of

S.

Pine district, N. C., and the Alabama district and other parts the South

of
in

eastern Piedmont.

Border Zones.
selvages around the outer parts
or

pegmatites
of

Border zones form shells

pegmatite aplitic fine-grained pegmatitic
of

Most are texture.

in
to

bodies.
They rarely exceed thickness and are commonly less than inches
in

feet
2

3
In

thick. general the thickness nearly constant within given pegmatite

is

a
by

Portland, Conn. (Fig. 13), but

in as

illustrated the Bordonaro pegmatite,

many bodies, such Wright Mohave County, Ariz.
as

the Creek pegmatite,

(Fig. 14); the Herbb No. pegmatite Powhatan County, Va.; and the
in
1

H., this unit

N.

Palermo No. pegmatite, Rumney, irregular even or

is is
1

discontinuous. Because this zone very thin, usually either mapped with
2 is

it

the Case No. pegmatite (Fig. 15) exaggerated and

or
as

the wall zone

in

(Fig.
on

diagrammatically the Case No.

as

pegmatite
of

shown the section

1

-
15).
border zones with wall rocks are commonly very sharp, but
of

Contacts
are characteristically gradational certain pegmatites formed granitic rocks
in

in

during the late stages their crystallization, formed lit-par-lit gneisses,

or
of

in
by

formed entirely part by reaction

or

or

the replacement
of

wall rocks
in

Many pegmatites the Harney Peak granite South Dakota,

of of

with them.
in

the Pikes Peak granite Colorado, the Tusas granite northern New
of

Mexico, and the granodioritic intrusives western North Carolina grade

of

imperceptibly into the enclosing igneous rock. Others, such

as

the Devil's
Hole pegmatite, Fremont County, Colo., and the Mountain Beryl pegmatite,
Custer County, D., have contacts the lit-par-lit type, which thin off
of
S.

in

the pegmatite form the lighter-colored bands the gneissic wall

of

in

shoots
 INTERNAL STRUCTURE OF GRANITIC PEGMATITES. 25

EXPLANATION

x x *
Quartz
(Core)
_*
–2
Perthite-quartz
pegmatite
# ( Wall zone)

Beryl-bearing
plagioclase-perthite
quartz pegmatite
(Border zone)

r
//
Bolton schist

***
a

Contact, showing dip

,--
Contact between
pegmatite zones

lo .2°
Plunge of crest

i of pegmatite

o
-— 4. 8 12 FEET

FIGURET3TELANTOF SOUTHERNTERRTOF EORDONARö

PEGMATITE, PORTLAND, CONNECTICUT
E. N. Cameron
26 E. N. CAMERON, R. H. JAHNS, A. H. McNAIR AND L. R. PAGE.

o to 2O so aofeet - -
-3%3 *ºf
-
contour
interval
5feet
…' … 2 #: / |
(Latumassumed.) |2- ExPLANATION
z 2é. !. -
- -*-
. Sugary-albite
quartz
pegmatite,
with perthite
local

- º
\ ^.
Mediym-grained
perthite-quartz
pegmatite
schori,

F
withlocal
garnetandberyl
|
Sugary-quartz-perthste
plagioclase-bery-schoº
pegmatite
hornblende

fine-grained
granite

…” %
Quartz-rrica
schist

2
anddipoffoliation
Strike
_ºr
strike
ofvertical
fotiation
.* -
X.
Contact,
showing
dip:
dashed
whereapproximate

contact pegmatite
between units

Rimofcutorpit
Mapped
byRH isher
- March
1944
FIGURE 14, GEOLOGIC MAP OF THE WRIGHT CREEK PEGMATITE, MOHAVE COUNTY, ARIZONA
SHOWING DISTRIBUTION OF BERYL-BEARING BORDER ZONE

rock. A few pegmatites, such as those in the Wright Creek area of Mohave
County, Ariz., (Fig. 14), have gradational contacts with schistose wall rocks,
and the fine-grained outer units of these pegmatites appear to have formed
entirely or in part by replacement of, and reaction with, schist. It may be
difficult, however, to separate such units from feldspar granulites that border
some pegmatites and have been developed through impregnation and altera
tion of schist by pegmatitic solutions. At the Muscovite mine in Latah
County, Idaho, the Old Mike mine, Custer County, S. D., (Fig. 16), and
the Bob Ingersoll No. 2 mine and Etta mine in Pennington County, S. D.,
the border zone was formed inside a feldspar granulite that contains plagio
clase, apatite, black tourmaline, beryl, muscovite, microcline, and other min
erals. Mica schists at the margins of the Chandler Mills pegmatite, Chandler
Station, N. H., show various degrees of enrichment in tourmaline, muscovite,
and albite. Where enrichment is most pronounced the product is a tourmaline
“aplite” containing only vestiges of the original schistosity. This grades out
ward into the surrounding schist. Undoubtedly with sufficient additions or
subtractions of material from wall rocks, border units indistinguishable from
 INTERNAL STRUCTURE OF GRANITIC PEGMATITES. 27

pegmatite would be formed, but few units of this type have been recognized.
Many border zones, however, contain incompletely digested inclusions com
posed of biotite, hornblende, sillimanite, andalusite, and other minerals that
suggest partial assimilation of the wall rock.
The essential minerals of border zones in most districts are feldspar, quartz,
and muscovite. The accessory minerals may include any mineral present in
the other parts of the pegmatite, but tourmaline, beryl, apatite, and garnet
are most common. In the pegmatites of the Southeastern States, Colorado,
and Wyoming, as well as in the mica pegmatites in South Dakota and New
England, the most common types of border zones are those composed of plagio
clase and quartz with or without muscovite. Proportions of these minerals

EXPLANATION

Overburden
2
Quartz

-* -

:
Perthite-quartz
pegmatite

As
2-1."
Perthite-quartz
pegmatite;
beryl-rich.”

2^_ ºr ~1 \,
Perthite-plagioclase
quartz pegmatite;
.*.*.*, * ~ beryl-rich"
NO. 2 PEGMATTE
BogotR zone omitTED

Borderzone
beryl-rich.” -
* Note:-The term "beryſ-rich"
as usedabove,is usedonly in a
\- relativesensel
ſº 7".
-- a--→ -
Monson gneiss

NO 3 PEGMATITE
Borof R zone omitTED
|
O 2O - 40 6C FEET
E N cameron,
w E.Shaunin
1943

15. CROSS SECTIONS OF THE CASE PEGMATITES.

28 E. N. CAMERON. R. H. JAHNS, A. H. McNAIR AND L. R. PAGE.

vary widely from pegmatite to pegmatite. In some mica pegmatites of New

England and the Southeastern States the border zones consist almost entirely
of quartz and muscovite. Perthite and quartz with or without albite-oligo
clase are most common in the Petaca district of New Mexico and the feldspar
pegmatites of South Dakota. Most of the border zones of the lithium-rich
pegmatites of South Dakota are albite and quartz, with or without muscovite,
but a few such as the Etta pegmatite also contain perthite.
In general the border zone of a pegmatite contains the same minerals as
the wall zone, though the proportions commonly differ and the texture of the
border zone is characteristically finer grained. The Bob Ingersoll Dikes Nos.
1 and 2, Pennington County, S. D., have wall and border zones of albite,
quartz, and mica with accessory tourmaline, beryl, and columbite, but the
percentage of muscovite and quartz in the wall zone is greater than in the
border zone. In other pegmatites, quartz and muscovite predominate in
the border zone and plagioclase predominates in the adjacent wall zone.
Changes in the percentage of a mineral along the strike or dip of the border
zone parallel a similar change in the wall zone. The border zones of some
pegmatites, such as the Knight in Rockingham County, N. C., the Champion
in Amelia County, Va.; and the White Spar and Glenwood in Custer County,
S. D., contain more muscovite adjacent to muscovite-rich parts of wall
zones than adjacent to mica-poor parts of the wall zones. In a few New
England pegmatites the footwall part of the border zone differs in proportions
of mineral constituents from the hanging-wall part of the zone. The border
zone of the Strickland-Cramer pegmatite for example, is on the average not
ably richer in plagioclase along the footwall than along the hanging wall,
although the plagioclase content of the footwall part of the zone varies mark
edly from place to place. In a few pegmatites the border zone varies in
composition and thickness in relation to the type of wall rock with which it
is in contact. Thus the border zone of the Colony pegmatite, Alstead, N. H.,
is thicker, finer-grained, and richer in albite and quartz where in contact with
biotite gneiss than where adjacent to quartz-mica schist.
Some border zones appear to have a composition similar to the bulk com
position of the pegmatite and probably can best be interpreted as chilled
margins. The border zone of the Harding pegmatite, Taos County, N. Mex.,
(Fig. 17), may be of this type. It consists of perthite, quartz, and muscovite,
with minor beryl, apatite, columbite-tantalite, microlite, spessartite, and
spodumene. Albite (mainly cleavelandite) and lepidolite are locally abund
ant but probably were introduced as late replacement minerals. The border
zone is fine-grained, but the grain size increases away from the schist contacts.
The Harding pegmatite is 55 feet in average thickness, but the border zones
range from knife-edges to 2 inches in thickness, averaging only half an inch.
They are nearly horizontal and have a sharp contact with the adjacent steeply
dipping amphibole schist, quartzite, and epidosite. Many of the border zones
in the Black Hills districts of South Dakota are probably similar in that they
all

contain many or the minerals known from other units the pegmatite, but
to in

bulk sampling and detailed chemical analyses are needed show whether such
In

border zones are truly equivalent composition the whole bodies.

in

to

the
 2
inches

i|
EXPLANATION

2.7
to

- **5
sºs [z
->

^
12 [º]
Veryfine-grained Coarseflakesof Tantalite-columbite
quartzperthitepegmatite muscoviteand lepidolite

-
./~"

Fine-grained Cleavelandite, Spessartite

in
quartz-perthite
pegmatite thin,curvingplates

Flakesof muscovite Smokyquartz Beryl

in
small aggregates
ſ

.”
- %
E] Apatite Hornblende-epidote
schist
Prepared
by H.Jahns
R.

September,
1944

FIGURE 17.- DETAILED SKETCH OF PARTIALLY ALBITIZED BORDER ZONE AND UPPERMOST PART OF WALL ZONE,
Š

HARDING PEGMATITE. TAOS COUNTY, NEW MEXICO.

30 E. N. CAMERON, R. H. JAHNS, A. H. McNAIR AND L. R. PAGE.

majority of New England mica pegmatites there is an evident difference be

tween the mineral compositions of the border zones and the bulk compositions
of the pegmatites.
The minerals of a border zone commonly are fine-grained at the outer edge
of the zone, coarser toward the wall zone. In some border zones the minerals
are in layers parallel to the wall rock contact. The W. C. Burleson peg
matite of the Spruce Pine district, N. C., (Fig. 18), has a 1 to 1%-foot border
zone comprising many layers of fine-grained muscovite, quartz, and garnet
alternating with plagioclase, and quartz. Many of these layers are traceable
for 30 feet or more along strike, and some mica-rich layers may be traced
into partly digested inclusions of country rock. The Wilhelm pegmatite,
Custer County, S. D., the Newry and Black Mountain pegmatites in Maine,
and many other New England mica pegmatites show a similar layering of
minerals in the border zone. The border zone of the Atwood pegmatite,
Rumney, N. H., is 4 to 12 inches thick and is composed of quartz, plagioclase,
muscovite, and garnet (Fig. 19). As many as 7 layers within a 5-inch thick
ness are found. In the spécimen shown, garnet is concentrated along the
boundary between two of the layers. Many of the pegmatites in the Crabtree
area and in other parts of the Spruce Pine district, N. C. have border zones
that contain alternating layers of garnet-rich and garnet-free plagioclase
quartz-muscovite pegmatite. Many of the mica pegmatites in South Dakota,
Maine, and Wyoming have an indistinct layer of black tourmaline at the
inside edge of the border zone.
The border zones of many pegmatites are characterized by orientation of
the component minerals perpendicular or subperpendicular to the contact
surfaces. Even feldspar and quartz, in elongate grains and groups of grains,
take part in this arrangement in some border zones, but orientation of mus
covite books, tourmaline, beryl, and apatite crystals is more common and
ordinarily more conspicuous. In such pegmatites, border zones around in
clusions show the same orientation of crystals with respect to the surfaces
of the inclusions. In the border zones of the Case pegmatites (Fig. 15) and
the Slocum pegmatite, East Hampton, Conn., the orientation of beryl and
black tourmaline crystals subperpendicular to the contact surfaces is a striking
feature. It is found both along the pegmatite walls and, in the Case No. 2
pegmatite, around scattered inclusions. Beryl crystals so oriented are tapered,
with the narrow ends toward the contact surfaces. In the Case pegmatites
a similar but cruder orientation and inward expansion is also shown by
microcline crystals in the border zone.
Some border zones or parts of border zones contain crystals or groups
of crystals oriented parallel to the pegmatite contact. Groups of muscovite
flakes that in places form crenulations elongated parallel to the plunge of the
pegmatite have been observed in the Crown and White Cap pegmatites of
South Dakota and in certain New England pegmatites. D. M. Larrabee
(personal communication, 1945) observed similar orientation of beryl crys
tals in some pegmatites in Maine.
 INTERNAL STRUCTURE OF GRANITIC PEGMATITES. 31

º --
º,º -

| NCHES

FIG. 19. Polished specimen of border zone of Atwood pegmatite, Rumney, New
Hampshire, showing layering parallel to contact. 1, quartz-mica-schist; 2, fine
grained quartz with accessory muscovite; 3, fine-grained quartz and plagioclase;
4, fine-grained quartz with subordinate plagioclase, accessory muscovite, and garnet;
5, medium-grained quartz (blank), muscovite (dashed lines, for each crystal drawn
approximately parallel to cleavage trace), and plagioclase (slant-ruled, stipled where
intergrown with quartz), and accessory garnet. Note concentration of garnet
(solid black) along boundaries between layers 4 and 5. Prepared by E. N. Cameron.
 32 E. N. CAMERON, R. H. JAHNS, A. H. McNAIR AND L. R. PAGE.

Wall Zones.

Wall zones of pegmatites are generally coarser-grained and thicker than

accompanying border zones. Commonly they grade into the adjacent border
and intermediate zones in both mineral composition and texture. Thus the
strike length, dip length, and plunge length of the wall zone are controlled
by the shape and size of the pegmatite body, although the thickness of the

-
wall zone may be only a small fraction of the total thickness of the pegmatite.
The thickness of wall zones varies widely./ The Ruby and Barney pegmatite

*
2,
.*

. -- surface.
.Ar Pºovecrea *

T 4
w” ºa.
* J
Spodumene,replaced _-Z:...]."r
byyellowmuscovite
T zº’.
º:
zºº
Ž
~
~ *
NPS-...
* l T
6. ourtfºreof cur
eso2 "“........'.

--" of exposure section along LinE A-8

geology
in workings
project
to Fromwalls
...

EXPLANATION

*x
*
*
Quartz-spodumenepegmatite pegmatite
Cleavelandite-muscovite
(Spodumenepartlyreplaced,

-
* *
-…

<
*

* *
*
>*
Cleavelandite-spodumene
pegmatite Albite-quartz-perthite
pegmatite

ſ', zz,
20feet
o

Micaschist
Mapped
by Page
R.
L.
B.
and Henley
J.

FIGURE 20,-ZONED PEGMATITE BODY ENCLOSED BY ALBITE-QUARTZ- PERTHITE PEGMATITE,

SODA SPAR MINE. PENNINGTON COUNTY. SOUTH DAKOTA

Grafton, N. H., (Fig. 21), has 60 feet thick, and

as

as

wall zone much

in

certain pegmatites the Black Hills South Dakota (e.g.,

of

of

the wall zones

in

the Soda Spar pegmatite, Pennington County—Fig. 20), and the Topsham
35 in

district, Maine, may Few, however, exceed

be

even thicker. thick

in

feet
distinctly zoned pegmatites are less than
10
as

ness, and rule wall zones

in
a

feet thick.
or

many simple lenticular tabular pegmatites the wall zones are con
In

tinuous envelopes enclosing inner zones. The Silver Dollar pegmatite, Custer
(Fig. 22), contains
D.

County, oligoclase-quartz-muscovite
of
S.

wall zone
a

pegmatite feet thick that completely encloses perthite and

of

core
to
3

quartz. The Champion pegmatite, Amelia County, Va. (Fig. 23), another
is

example pegmatite continuous wall zone surrounding

of

with core.
a

a
 INTERNAL STRUCTURE OF GRANITIC PEGMATITES. 33

º,
A t

\\–º \v \{\{
\
\
\ \ .
.
-

A."
s
\,
|
37o- – - || |

ºr \\ \

\º
ºn \\
- ! - . .. .
\ ~
ºf TºNº.
' ' ' -

Sºº-ºº:
Aſ . . . . || |
| -

ºº
*
–

~
~e:

*
**...

“ ...

.
.
,
,
*

.
,
,
\(
\ ,
,

J..
- ~~

.
–

w .
\.
º,
,

º
,\
-
º
r

,
,
,
,

,
,

"
.
.
.
.

.
\

)
.
.

*
-
.
.
.
.
.

24o- 2-

.
~
to 26 so tº so feet
--,

*
o

.
29O-FOOT LEVEL * *

*
~ u.

,
-
- <
azo-,
ExPLAnation

I ºn
-->
ſ

*
: .#

|-

quartz
Massive

-
*:
-
T.
33
*
3*

scºres

ſº 0: u H.
g;;
alo:
§:

###|
“...

#5 ||

º: ~
||

-
Coarse-grained
3: albite-quartz
muscovite
-

3ooj
3
*

3- 12- Lu
-

wasrere
-

t
\

Hº
t

'
'--
~

on
,
*

*::::::::"
~

–
a.º. _-vº- ~.

-
~

,
...] T
contact
between
* ...

-
-
pegmatite
-

units -- ~~
~, T
J
-
-

—
-"

2784
r

Vertical
shaft SECTION ALONG A-A'
o to 15 2d feet
s

*cºatal andwrºnical
ºcait.
of

Base shaft

Mapped
tºy we
R.

lenke
and
R.H.Jahns
*ay,July1944

23.- PLAN VERTICAL SECTION OF THE CHAMPION (JEFFERSON NO. PEGMATITE.

4)

FIGURE AND
AMELIA COUNTY, VIRGINIA
SHOWING THE REGULARITY AND SIMPLICITY OF THE ZONAL STRUCTURE

Inside the thin oligoclase-quartz border zone wall zone that from
to
is

is

2
a

composed coarse albite-quartz-muscovite pegmatite.

of

feet thick and

is
8

The zone surrounds massive quartz. The Knight pegma

of

lenslike core
a

the Ridgeway-Sandy Ridge district, Rockingham County, N.

C.
of

tite
(Fig. 24), sill, feet thick, that contains continuous, well-defined
15
to
of is

2
a

coarse-grained plagioclase-quartz pegmatite with

to

wall zone medium-

some perthite and numerous coarse books muscovite. The book muscovite
of

the footwall part

of

most abundant the zone.

in
is
34 E. N. CAMERON, R. H. JAHNS, A. H. McNAIR AND L. R. PAGE.

own
7§: :5 ;

g
* #3 : 3 ; E: :

Ali f

*
º
5.5 : º
#
,
 INTERNAL STRUCTURE OF GRANITIC PEGMATITES. 35

1120– 112o.

ExPLANATION
11oo
— wido'

Dumporbackfill

loso'- loso
Overburden

toeo'- loeo Plagioclase-quartz

pegmatite

sº, sº
wº"...w
WSW. section THRough No. 1 sº-Art
and Main under GRound workings
ENE.
i Quartz-plagioclase
tSheet
pegmatite
muscovite
mica bearing/

*
-
11.2c | 11.2c R NN
Quartz-mica
schist

* -- -
11oo'-N – 11oo Contact, approximate
location

z
~*
Pegmatite-wall
rockcontact

toao- H loso
Contact pegmatite
between units

loeo- |- toeo Timbered

shaft

WSW
-

-----
section THRough No. 3 sha FT
AND Main UNDERGRoundworkings
o to 2c 3d 4o 5o FEET
ENE.

FIGURE 25— CROSS SECTIONS THROUGH NICHOLS PEGMATITE,

Prepared
byJ.J. Pesº
andN.K.Furt
June1944

GILSUM, NEW HAMPSHIRE

Some pegmatites of complex shape also contain continuous wall zones.

The Woodward Orford, N. H., has a continuous wall zone of
pegmatite,
nearly uniform thickness that follows the contact of pegmatite and wall rock,
curving around an open roll of the contact as shown in Figure 26, and following
irregularities of the contact in minute detail. The contacts of the body in
general conform closely to the foliation of the mica schist wall rock, but small
folds and irregular crenulations of the schist are truncated by the pegmatite.
The contacts of the Nichols pegmatite, Gilsum, N. H. (Fig. 25), are marked
by numerous rolls, which the quartz-plagioclase-muscovite pegmatite wall
zone follows in minute detail. The shape of the border zone of quartz-musco
vite-plagioclase pegmatite and the core of plagioclase-quartz pegmatite also
is controlled by these irregularities of the contact.
 36

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 EXPLANATION
-

o
º-
.* -2o ribs
"o D

t
…”

'S
.*
Overburden

-
PEGamATi TE witHin

2
[47]
Basic dike
&
Zvº.
Quartz-albite.
perthite pegmatite
(Core)
º
K

Vº
a',

~~
Quartz-albite-,
muscovite-pegmatite
(W al 1zone)

Quartz-muscovite
plagioclase pegmatite
(Border zone)
-y
A
!,

2^24%
Kinsman biotite
gneiss

Mapped by Glenn W. Stewart

and H. Kamensky, 1943–44

FIGURE 28–cRoss SECTION OF WADHAMs-TUCKER PEGMATITE,

ALEXANDRIA, NEW HAMPSHIRE

s:
38 E. N. CAMERON, R. H. JAHNS, A. H. McNAIR AND L. R. PAGE.

ExPLANATION
o c o
e c +c
o oc
Overburden
x ++
×
Pegmatite, undivided
~
º *,
Quartz-cleavelandite
pegmatite

."xY
Massive quartz
f Core,
* w
n
Plagioclase-quartz
pegmatite
f Intermediatezone,

| / Y.
Perthite-graphicgranite
quartz-plagioclase
pegmatite
f intermediate
zone
v.2 -
-- v.
->
Plagioclase-quartz
muscovite pegmatite
f Wall zone)

W
Bolton schist

° 38 tº 58–59 "" Geology

byE. N.Cameron
andv. E. Shainn
1943-1945

FIGURE 29–COMPOSITE CROSS SECTION OF THE STRICKLAND

CRAMER PEGMATITE, PORTLAND, CONNECTICUT

The wall zones of some pegmatites are asymmetrically developed or even

discontinuous. Some are thickest along the sides of the pegmatites; others
are thickest at the keel or crest. The Drum pegmatite in the Shelby-Hickory
district, Catawba County, N. C. (Fig. 27), contains a typical asymmetric,
discontinuous wall zone. This pegmatite is at least 300 feet long and consists
of two main lobes 35 to 60 feet thick. The wall zone of plagioclase-quartz
muscovite pegmatite is very thick in the east lobe, whereas it is thinner and
discontinuous in the west lobe, and is better developed on the south, or hang
ing-wall side of the body, than on the north side. In the Wadhams-Tucker
pegmatite (Fig. 28), Alexandria, N. H., and in the Fellows pegmatite, Went
worth, N. H., the wall zones are virtually restricted to the hanging-wall parts
of the pegmatite bodies.
Many wall zones are continuous around the keel and sides of a pegmatite,
but do not occur at the crest. The patterns of such wall zones are U-shaped
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40 E. N. CAMERON, R. H. JAHNS, A. H. McNAIR AND L. R. PAGE.

or V-shaped in cross section, and also on maps or plans if the pegmatites are
plunging bodies. The White Spar pegmatite, Custer County, S. Dak. (Fig.
30); and the Strickland-Cramer pegmatite, Portland, Conn. (Fig. 29), illus

its
trate the type of pegmatite that lacks a wall zone at However,

in
crest.
some pegmatites wall zones are best developed Examples are

at
the crests.
the Old Mike pegmatite, Custer County, Dak. (Fig. 16), and many pegma

S.

E.
E.
New Mexico. The Smith pegmatite,

of
tites the Petaca district
in

Alexandria, N. H., the other hand, has wall zone sufficiently well de

on

a
veloped along the keel and sufficiently rich

be
book mica mined. As

in

to
the pegmatite was followed away from the keel successive levels, the wall

at
lean that mining was unprofitable.

so
zone became less distinct and
The pegmatite the wall zone (together with
of
thin border zone) forms

a
parts many bodies. The Big Bess pegmatite, Gaston
of

is of
the entire thickness
County, N. (Fig. 31), many places composed entirely
C.

of
coarse

in
grained plagioclase-quartz-muscovite pegmatite that elsewhere flanks inter
mediate zones composed plagioclase-quartz pegmatite and perthite-quartz
of

beryl pegmatite, massive quartz. some districts only wall

In
or

of

core
a

zone and border-zone pegmatite are present wherever the thickness

of
the
body
of of

of
less than twice that the combined thickness the border and wall
is

the thicker parts the pegmatite. This well illustrated the

in

in
zones

is
Victory (Fig. 32).
D.

pegmatite,
S.

the irregular the Black Hills are like the Nichols

pegmatites
of

of

Some
pegmatite (Fig. 25)
New Hampshire, which the wall zone continuous
in

in

is

by
around the entire body, but others appear composites formed
be
to

the
The wall zones these composite bodies
or
of

of
coalescence two more lenses.
occur around each original lens. The cross section through the Edison
pegmatite (Fig. 33) shows least four distinct major lenses that have albite
at

quartz pegmatite, either (1) (2) between core

or

contact with schist

in

segments spodumene-bearing pegmatite that occur the wider parts

of

of
the
in

body. The wall-zone pegmatite between the core segments

in
breached
is

that the segments are actually connected parts the pegmatites

so

places,
of
in

The Giant-Volney and Rough and Ready pegma

on

not shown the section.

Tinton district (112)
of

of

tites the are similar structure.

Wall great economic importance sheet mica, scrap
as
of

of

zones are sources

mica, and beryl, though many such zones lack these minerals, and many others
are too lean for profitable mining. Often only parts mica-bearing wall
of

In

mined, because they vary mica content,

be

or

of or

thickness both.
in

zones can
many pegmatites the part the zone along the hanging-wall side the body
of

the only part workable; others only the keel, crest, footwall part
or

of
in
is

mined profitably. These minable parts, designated

be

In as

the wall zone can

mica shoots, generally conform
to

of

the structure the wall zone itself.

the Strickland-Cramer pegmatite, Portland, Conn., the sheet-mica-bearing
the pegmatite,
of

wall zone confined the northern two-thirds where

to
is

to it

extends around the keel and up hanging wall and footwall within 25
to

the
the crest (Fig. 29).
is 80

The main mica shoot within the wall zone

of

feet
abnormally thick portion along the hanging wall, extending nearly from
an

the upper edge the zone down dip for

65

95

The shoot has been

of

to

feet.
 //
~~%<
±|
><
№§
>{{{ſ}}\,
* \ ,Ä
INTERNAL STRUCTURE

EXPLANATION
OF GRANITIC

Mica schist Albite-quartz Quartz-albite

muscovite pegmatite perthite pegmatite

Contact between Contact showing dip

pegmatiteunits.

1O 2O 3O 4o FEET
L.
J.
J.

R.

Geology Page, Nortonandothers

by

of
FIG. 32. Plan 60-foot level, Vi ictory mine, Custer County, South Dakota.
PEGMATITES.41
42 E. N. CAMERON, R. H. JAHNS, A. H. McNAIR AND L. R. PAGE.

traced for 300 feet along plunge in the Cramer mine and probably extended
southward for at least 100 feet into the Strickland mine. In the Nichols
mine, Gilsum, N. H. (Fig. 25), the mica shoots were restricted to the crests
and keels of the rolls. Similar mica shoots occur in the Crown mine, Custer
County, S. D., where the rolls are sharp and the mica-bearing zone is
thick enough so that the entire pegmatite within an individual roll is wall
zone material. In some pegmatites mica shoots in rolls are no richer than
the wall zone elsewhere, but because of the structure more mica-bearing rock
is recovered per unit volume of rock mined than where the walls are straight.
The mica shoots at the keel and crest of the body are similar to those in rolls
except for size. In many large producing pegmatites in the Southeastern
States, especially in the Spruce Pine district of North Carolina, the richest
concentrations of mica occur beneath rolls and bends of the contacts. Many
such concentrations occur in the pegmatites of New England, but most are
too small to be worth mining selectivity. In the north end of the Victory
Gilsum pegmatite, Gilsum, N. H., however, a major shoot was found along
a part of the footwall where the dip is the reverse of the normal dip.
Wall zones are normally coarser-textured than border zones and finer
textured than intermediate zones, but certain wall-zone minerals, such as
muscovite, tourmaline, or beryl may be much coarser than the surrounding
minerals, although few exceed 12 inches in maximum dimension. The min
erals commonly present in wall zones include plagioclase, perthite, quartz,
muscovite, and tourmaline. Biotite, apatite and other phosphate minerals,
columbite-tantalite, garnet, and beryl are less common. Typical wall zones
are composed essentially of plagioclase and quartz; plagioclase, quartz, and
muscovite; plagioclase, perthite, and quartz; perthite and quartz; and plagio
clase, perthite, quartz, and muscovite. In each pegmatite district one or more
of these types predominates. Thus the dominant types are perthite and
quartz in the Petaca district; plagioclase and quartz, with or without muscovite
in.the Southeastern States; plagioclase and quartz, with or without muscovite
in Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, South Dakota, and part of Arizona; plagio
clase, quartz, and muscovite, and plagioclase, perthite, quartz, and muscovite
in New England; and perthite, quartz, and plagioclase in Colorado and other
parts of Arizona. In general the pegmatites that contain abundant book
(sheet-bearing) muscovite in the wall zones have plagioclase (andesine to
median albite) and quartz associated with the mica; pegmatites that contain
lithium minerals have wall zones composed of plagioclase (cleavelandite or
sodic massive albite) and quartz, with or without book (scrap-bearing)
muscovite; and pegmatites that contain commercial feldspar have wall zones of
plagioclase and quartz, perthite and quartz, or perthite, quartz, and plagioclase.

Intermediate Zones.
all

The intermediate zones of a pegmatite

include zones between the wall
zone and the core. Intermediate zones are less common than other types
the majority contain only border zone and core,
as

zones, pegmatites
or of

of

border zone, wall zone, and core, Many pegmatites have none, others
 43
INTERNAL STRUCTURE OF GRANITIC PEGMATITES.

ExPLANATION

$3, […]
§§ Massivequartz
(Corey
ºn &s
Lutºg
2: Sº
N tºs
u žá
x c
E ## Massivequartzwith
º §: largeblocksof perthite
> §:
o ras:
tintermediate
zone) < * ,
º, NS A // ~
a tis
es." -– 27 -
Coarse-grained
& 3 - plagioclase-perthite
S-- Plagioclase-quartz. quartz-muscovite
muscovitepegmatite pegmatite
(Wallzone)

O . to 2d 30 40 50 FEET
Basedon mappingby J. M. Parker

III
October1944 March1945

FIGURE 34.—IDEALIZED PLAN SHOWING TYPICAL TELESCOPING OF PEGMATITE ZONES

LITTLE HAWK RIDGE MINE, MITCHELL COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA
IN

THE

only single intermediate zone, whereas others have many

or
as

as

five even
a

more. Not uncommonly

or

two more intermediate zones that are distinct

in in
one part the pegmatite merge with each other with adjacent zones
or
of

In

other parts the body.

of

of

the northern two-thirds the Strickland-Cramer

pegmatite (Fig. 29), the perthite-graphic granite-quartz-plagioclase and
plagioclase-quartz intermediate zones are distinct, but southward
in

the
Strickland mine, they become progressively less distinct and finally merge
single unit which about midway composition between the two
in

into
is
a

M. Parker III, this merging,

by

As pointed out telescoping

or

of
J.

zones.
zones, well shown the Little Hawk Ridge pegmatite, Mitchell County,
in
is

N. (Fig. 34), where plagioclase-quartz-muscovite peg

C.

of

wall zone
a

irregular coarse perthite and subordinate

an

of

matite and intermediate zone

quartz fade out eastward into plagioclase-perthite-quartz-muscovite pegmatite
that appears correspond bulk composition the zones farther west.
in
to

of to

Similar relations are common many pegmatites the southeast Piedmont

in

W.
R.

area, according Griffiths (oral communication 1945) who stated that

or of to

the boundaries the zones generally are sharp where they are adjacent
to

the
core segments, but beyond the ends
of

of

flanks cores the innermost units

the plagioclase-quartz pegmatite
to

merge with the

of

the wall zones tends

microcline-rich intermediate zones form granitoid plagioclase-microcline
to

quartz pegmatite. Telescoping

of

intermediate zones with cores common

is
44 E. N. CAMERON, R. H. JAHNS, A. H. McNAIR AND L. R. PAGE.

in New England pegmatites. In the crest of the Old Mike pegmatite, Custer
County, S. D. (Fig. 16), a wall zone of muscovite-albite-quartz pegmatite
encloses an outer intermediate zone of albite-quartz-muscovite pegmatite.
Down dip, near the central part of the body, these two zones merge to form a
single zone.
The size of the intermediate zones is in large part dependent on the size
of the pegmatite body and the thickness of the wall zone. Some intermediate
zones are only single rows of crystals of minerals such as perthite or musco
vite; others are polymineralic and many feet thick. Intermediate zones may
be either continuous shells inside the wall zone; hoods that cap cores or inner
intermediate zones; inverted troughs around the lower part of the core; series
of disconnected lenses symmetrically arranged inside the wall zone; or single
lenses either on one side or at the ends of the pegmatite. The hoods may
be either symmetrically placed or may extend down one side of the pegmatite
(usually the hanging wall) to give an asymmetric structure.
The Keyes No. 1 pegmatite, Orange, N. H. (Fig. 35), contains three
intermediate zones, two of which are nearly continuous around inner zones.
The third forms a hood. The pegmatite strikes N. 17° E. and dips from 70°
SE. to vertical; it is approximately 260 feet long and about 50 feet in maximum
thickness. Inside a border zone of quartz-muscovite pegmatite and a wall
zone of medium- to coarse-grained plagioclase-quartz-muscovite pegmatite are
three intermediate zones. The first of these, from the wall zone to the core,
is medium- to coarse-grained plagioclase-quartz-perthite-biotite pegmatite
which contains accessory muscovite, tourmaline, and apatite. The biotite is
intergrown with tourmaline and forms diversely oriented thin strips 1 to 20
inches long and half an inch to 4 inches wide. The second intermediate zone
is composed of quartz-plagioclase-muscovite pegmatite with minor perthite,
accessory tourmaline, graftonite, triphylite, pyrrhotite, pyrite, vivianite (?),
and beryl. These two zones form continuous shells around the inner units
except along the west side of the northern part of the pegmatite, where they
pinch out against the third intermediate zone of perthite-quartz pegmatite.
Part of the perthite has been converted to porous pseudomorphs of albite and
green muscovite, the cavities in which are lined with minute apatite crystals.
Some pseudomorphs are veined and more or less replaced by quartz.
This pegmatite illustrates the variation in thickness expectable in inter
mediate zones, the greater thickness of hanging-wall parts of many interme
diate zones, and thickening of the zones in the vicinity of rolls of the pegmatite
its

walls. The position and shape of the hood, and relation the quartz
to

core, are characteristic thinly lenticular bodies. The relative positions

of

of

the hood and core suggest that the hood plunges north. The south end
of

the
pegmatite body plunges 80° the south, but exposed only for
to

few feet.
is

The W.
T.

Foster No. pegmatite, Shelby-Hickory district, Lincoln

1

County, N. (Fig. 36), the Keyes No.

C.

similar pegmatite and

to
is

illustrates the typical structure those pegmatites

of

of

the Piedmont which

in

sheet mica recovered from middle and outer intermediate zones. The peg
is

matite about 20 feet thick and has been worked large open cut. The
in
is

markedly discontinuous wall zone medium-grained

of

main branch contains

a
 INTERNAL STRUCTURE OF GRANITIC PEGMATITES. 45

-
EXPLANATION
so FEET

Dumpmaterial

w *
*
-26so Pegmatite,undivided
- - --

Massivequartz
Core?
-2660
< ---
Perthite-quartz
#s “A” muscovitepegmatite
an ºr s f!nnerintermediate
zone)
-264d # * *
S 33,3. > 1/
.
Coarse perthite-quartz
: §:s
tº # 3
pegmatitewith minor plagioclase
> g zoney
twººdlerººtermediate
3 *s
£ tºs
33 Perthite-quartz
microcline-garnet
pegmatite
(Outerintermediate
zone)
º

Plagioclase-quartz
flatmuscovitepegmatite
f Wallzone)
ºf a
7,
Interlayered
biotite.
garnetgneissand
hornblendegneiss
|266o _--~
Contact;dashed
whereapproximate

Contactbetween
pegmatiteunits

open cut
Prepared
byJ C otsonandw R Griffitts January
1945

FIGURE 37–CROSS SECTIONS OF THE MILLS GRIFFITH PEGMATITE,

YANCEY COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA
A BULGING DIKE WITH THREE INTERMEDIATE ZONES

quartz-plagioclase-muscovite pegmatite on the hanging-wall side. The outer

intermediate zone of quartz-plagioclase pegmatite encloses a second intermedi
ate zone of coarse-grained quartz-plagioclase-perthite pegmatite with abundant
book muscovite, which in turn surrounds a hood or third intermediate zone
of blocky perthite as well as a quartz core.
The Mills Griffith pegmatite, Spruce Pine district, Yancey County, N. C.
(Fig. 37),” illustrates the more regular type of intermediate zone. The pegma
5 In legend of Fig. 37, microcline should read oligoclase.
46 E. N. CAMERON, R. H. JAHNS, A. H. McNAIR AND L. R. PAGE.

tite is 10 feet to more than 40 feet thick, and where thickest consists, of a
border zone, half an inch thick, of fine-grained quartz and oligoclase; a wall
zone, half a foot to 2% feet thick, of medium-grained oligoclase-quartz-mus
covite pegmatite that generally is thickest on the hanging-wall side of the
body; a nearly continuous outer intermediate zone of medium-grained perthite
quartz-oligoclase-garnet pegmatite; an irregular middle intermediate zone
of coarse, blocky perthite with subordinate quartz and oligoclase; a thin
inner intermediate zone of coarse perthite-quartz pegmatite with large, green
“A” muscovite books; and a core of massive quartz.
Intermediate zones developed only on one side of the pegmatite or series
of discontinuous lenses are not uncommon in many of the pegmatite districts.
These asymmetric zones or lenses lie parallel to the nearest wall-rock contact
and plunge parallel to the nearest roll, keel, or crest. The Beasley No. 2
pegmatite (Fig. 38), in Macon County, N. C., contains good examples of
intermediate zones developed asymmetrically on the hanging-wall side of the
pegmatite. This pegmatite is only 2 to 8 feet thick—8 feet at most places—
but has yielded a large amount of sheet mica. In the lower mine workings
it contains a 3- to 13-inch border zone of fine- to medium-grained quartz
oligoclase pegmatite, which is most nearly continuous along the hanging wall.
The wall zone of plagioclase-quartz-muscovite pegmatite is present only on the
hanging-wall side, as is the outer intermediate zone of blocky plagioclase and
subordinate perthite. This zone is 2 to 3 feet thick, and is separated from the
massive quartz core by 2 to 6 inches of muscovite, biotite, and a little perthite.
As traced upward, these zones fade out and the pegmatite within the border
zones is a medium- to coarse-grained aggregate of quartz and plagioclase.
The Hyatt pegmatite in Larimer County, Colo., contains lenses of pegma
tite that form discontinous intermediate zones. The Hyatt pegmatite is a
lenticular mass 350 feet long and up to 50 feet wide. It has a very thin border
zone of plagioclase-quartz-muscovite pegmatite against granite and schist wall
rocks. The wall zone, 10 to 25 feet thick, consists of plagioclase, perthite,
muscovite, and quartz with beryl, and is separated from the perthite core by
discontinuous lenses of quartz-plagioclase-muscovite-perthite-beryl pegmatite.
These lenses occur only between the wall zone and core. They are similar in
strike and dip to the pegmatite as a whole.
At the Devil's Hole pegmatite, Fremont County, Colo., an intermediate
zone of muscovite-albite-quartz pegmatite forms a discontinuous zone around
the quartz core segments and a second, incomplete intermediate zone or hood
of perthite. The discontinuous intermediate zone is enclosed by a perthite
albite-quartz wall zone that forms the entire body in the narrower parts of
this irregular pegmatite.
Intermediate zones that are thickest at the crest and pinch out at the sides
of the body are very common in commercial feldspar-bearing pegmatites.
They generally contain perthite, perthite and quartz, or perthite, plagioclase,
and quartz. They may be symmetrically placed with respect to the pegmatite
walls, but in general they are asymmetrically located, toward the crest and
toward the hanging-wall side. Their contacts with wall zones or outer inter
mediate zones of the continuous or discontinuous types are sharp, and their
 EXPLANATION

Dumpmaterial

3180
Massive quartz
1
)
Core
.
.

Muscovitebiotite
INTERNAL

perthitepegmatite
(
)

3160 Inner intermediate

zone

637

?? 1
!:u:
,

17 Coarse blockyplagioclase
,a

2.7.1 with little perthite

(
)

Oulerintermediatezone
'
3140 3140
-
.

Plagioclasequartz
17-07-23422 muscovitebiotite pegmatite
UNITS PEGMATITE
7
.-

Plagioclasequartz
muscovitepegmatite
(
)

Wallzone
'

3120 3120

TIMBEREDAND
LAGGED Quartz plagioclasepegmatite
-(
)

Borderzone
-

Quartzbiotite gneiss
'

3100 3100
;

Contact dashed
where approximate
STRUCTURE OF GRANITIC PEGMATITES
.

Contactbetween
pegmatiteunits
3080 3080
:
of

Note Thickness borderandwallzones

of

lower part sectionexaggerated

zone
expenseouterintermediate
of

SSW 10 20 40 50 FEET NNE

R.
inat H.

Prepared Jahns
by

30
September
1945
47

IN
2

-
.
,

FIGURE 38. ASYMMETRIC ZONAL STRUCTURE THE BEASLEY NO PEGMATITE

IN

,
,

MACON COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA AS SHOWN CROSS SECTION NEAR MAIN ADIT
48 E. N. CAMERON, R. H. JAHNS, A. H. McNAIR AND L. R. PAGE.

contacts with inner intermediate zones and cores range from sharp to grada
tional. The three segments of the Alamos pegmatite in the Petaca district,
Rio Arriba County, N. Mex. (Fig. 40), contain tightly compressed hoods of
coarse-grained blocky perthite near their crest. The border and wall zones
are of perthite and quartz, and the inner intermediate zones consist of massive
quartz with scattered giant perthite crystals. The core segments are massive
quartz. The hood-shaped outer intermediate zones plunge westward, parallel
to the plunge of the pegmatites. Similar occurrences are common in other
parts of the district.
Similar hoods are common in the pegmatites of New England and South
Dakota, the Keyes No. 1, Orange County (Fig. 35), and the Palermo No. 1
pegmatite, Grafton County, N. H. (Fig. 39); the Strickland-Cramer pegma
tite, Portland, Conn. (Fig. 29); and many others have perthite or perthite
quartz hoods of similar structure. In South Dakota the Beecher Lode, Custer

.
County, and the Dyke Lode, Etta, Dan Patch, and Bob Ingersoll Dikes No. 1
and 2 (Figs. 41, 42), in Pennington County, are characterized by perthite or
lie

perthite-quartz hoods that plagioclase-quartz-musco

of
within wall zones
vite pegmatite. Many pegmatites South Dakota with hood-shaped inter
in

mediate zones are similar the Old Mike mine, Custer County (Fig. 16),
to

perthite crystals quartz and albite.

of

where the hood consists matrix

in

of
a
The matrix similar texture and composition the intermediate zone that
in

to
is

surrounds the lower part quartz quartz

or
of

of
the core which consists
inverted hood commonly occurs below the
an

spodumene. unit shaped like

A

hoods, and around the lower part This unit generally consists
of

the core.
plagioclase and quartz, with without lithium minerals. The Old Mike
or
of

pegmatite contains well-exposed example this type

of

of
intermediate zone.
a

of or
largely albite and quartz, and grades into the wall zone
It
is

up

mediate zone. Especially below and part way the sides the core,

it
characterized by spheroidal masses
of

radial albite and muscovite with

is

interstitial albite and quartz, muscovite and quartz with beryl.

of or

aggregates
of

The interstitial intergrowth albite and quartz identical with that between
is

the perthite crystals perthite and

In

the Etta mine the hood

of

of

the hood.
spodumene grades downward into inverted hoods cleavelandite-spodumene
of

and quartz-spodumene pegmatite.

In

Intermediate zones vary composition much more than wall zones.

in

lithium-free pegmatites, the intermediate zones are rarely more than three
in
or

number and generally are composed perthite plagioclase,

of

of

combinations
quartz, perthite, muscovite, and biotite. the lithium-bearing pegmatites
In

these same minerals, but

of

the outer intermediate zones are formed addition

in in

amblygonite, lepidolite,
or

or

contain spodumene, these minerals various

combinations.
In

general the textures

or
as
of

intermediate zones are coarse coarser than

wall zones, and the inner intermediate zones are coarser-grained than
of

those
Giant crystals amblygonite, spodumene, and perthite are
of

the outer zones.

common, and the quartz interstitial the crystals may occur
to

of
in

masses
comparable size. Spheroidal masses radial cleavelandite and aggregates
of

muscovite and lepidolite the Black Hills are not uncommonly large
as
of

in
 Nollwnwºnex3

unquøao
uøp

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~~~~–––2––––––4

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puºlueaedº
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Ex

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balssew
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two
awpuoq
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`-ſlº,
INTERNAL STRUCTURE

ubu-auſųūág
ºwneuººd
ugºvºu-ºuco,zeuw
we

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Silnſhalliww53d

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OF GRANITIC

zuenb-øųqiy
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eqnoiusqqos
PEGMATITES.

rowsu
+

wºoro-o wºw ***

•
•
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deoºot*oz∞ 1aa sºet-rw-st

49

3
I

38m914 –’5€ OBZITW83N39 HmlondLS NOILO3S JO OW83TWA 'ON LWW93d 'BLI ‘NOLOH9 M3N 38|HSdWWH
 50 E. N. CAMERON, R. H. JAHNS, A. H. McNAIR AND L. R. PAGE.

*******
-
--sfºrat-tº itsºsf º
tºatrº-ra. ExPLAnation
zºa Ltºursisalax
sozo
oulºmiţa

Muscovite
cleavelandste
sºo quartz-pegmatite

ºpodumerºe
Quartz
pegmatite
4atio- ~Tº
** *
Quartz-amblyºnite
perthste
cleavelandite
pegmatite
49eo 49eo'

quartz
Perthite
pegmatite
464ty
Quartz
albite
pegmatite
Ft.

nºw CROSS SECTION go ET NORi. He AST OF MAIN SHAFT se.

perthite
Quartz
pegmatite
muscovite
o tºo tºo
o'

40...
2

gºt
.

in Frer
tº

Quartz
albite
pegmatite
muscovite

garnet
Biotite
5000 stauruite
schist

finegrained
feldspar
granulite
today
--—
Contact.
dashed approximate"
where
*jozo cozo' ...------
contatt
between
pegmatite
units
tooo tooo.

49eo. 49eo'

4900- 49co’

4949- 4949.

nºw
-
cRoss sp.CTION 120 FEET NORTHEIAST OF MAIN SHAf. st.
-
T

*r-º-º-º-tº
tº
a
42

SECTIONS OF THE BOB INGERSOLL. No

-

FIGURE CROSS PEGMATITE PENNINGTON

2

COUNTY. SOUTH DAKOTA

 INTERNAL STRUCTURE OF GRANITIC PEGMATITES. 51

or larger than the associated giant crystals of other minerals. However,

except for quartz, the minerals interstitial to the giant crystals commonly
are much finer textured and in places are as fine-grained as the minerals of
the wall zone. In rare cases, an entire intermediate zone, as the albite-quartz
unit in the Hardesty Homestead pegmatite, Pennington County, S. D. (Fig.
43), may be much finer in texture than the wall zone.

3.
Cores.

The core of a pegmatite generally is symmetrically located with respect to

the sides of a pegmatite body, but asymmetrically located with respect to the
grests and keels of plunging bodies (Fig. 67). In such bodies the ends of the
plunge parallel to the plunge of the nearest crest or keel,
and the sides of the core are approximately parallel to the nearest walls of
the pegmatite. Irregularities in the shape of the pegmatite body caused by
pinching or swelling, rolls, or branching segments are reflected in the shape
i
of the core.
The size of a core depends in large part on the size of the pegmatite and
the thickness of the intermediate and wall zones. ZIn some pegmatites, such
as the lenses in the Elk mine of the Spruce Pine district, Avery County,
N. C., the core constitutes the bulk of each pegmatite body. These lenses
have very thin border zones of fine-grained quartz-plagioclase pegmatite that
enclose medium- to coarse-grained plagioclase-quartz-book muscovite cores.
Some of the mica books extend from one side of the lens to the other. The
Crystal Silica pegmatite, Crystal Mountain district, Larimer County, Colo.,
is another example in which the core, mainly quartz with a little potash feld
spar, composes the bulk of the pegmatite. In New England, numerous peg
matites consist of cores of quartz, plagioclase, perthite and muscovite enveloped
in thin border zones. In the Edison pegmatite, Pennington County, S. Dak.
(Fig. 33), the spodumene-bearing core forms the bulk of the pegmatite.
In other pegmatites, the cores are small in proportion to other zones, and
in some of these the cores are restricted to the widest parts of the bodies. The
Big Bess pegmatite of the Shelby-Hickory district, Gaston County, N. C.
(Fig. 31), contains a core only in
its

thickest part, and similar relation

is
a

The highly produc

H.
N.

found the United pegmatite, Grafton County,

in

H.
N.

tive perthite-quartz core the Victory-Gilsum pegmatite, Alstead,

of

(Fig. 44), coincides with the broadest part the pegmatite.

of

Asymmetric location
to

cores with respect pegmatites

of

of

the ends
or is

perthite, perthite and quartz,

of

most marked those that contain hoods

in

perthite, quartz, and plagioclase. Examples are numerous—the Bob Inger

soll Dike No. (Fig. 41), Dan Patch, Dyke Lode, and other pegmatites
of
1

Pennington and Custer Counties, D.; the Lonesome, Alamos, Cribben

S.

N.

ville, Hidden Treasure, and many other pegmatites the Petaca district,
of

Mex.; the Strickland pegmatite (Fig. 29), Portland, Conn.; the upper and
H.; and pegma
N.

lower pegmatites Smith mine, Alexandria,

E.
E.
of

the
tites still other districts.
in

Symmetrically located cores are more common pegmatites that are

at of
in in

simple structure and contain lithium minerals only small quantities,

if
 52

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w
2 NyIdx3 NOII
-

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"Hºc"

8.

Cu

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Y

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o

"A dung Impoeg

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zuenb-a)\quad
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you
rumous
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apog
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\
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tº astrºendzurno,

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•

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–
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oozi

^| .^ ----

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pædd-w
m-e-r--r- ……p ……*…
E. N. CAMERON, R. H. JAHNS, A. H. McNAIR AND L. R. PAGE.

cx^2caecxoſo. 3-4
la ·
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380913 D10OTO35) NWTd ONV NOILO3S BO BH1 9/8 'BLILVW93d AHOLOIA '3NIW 'OVELSTV MEN 38|HSBWVH
 º
INTERNAL STRUCTURE OF GRANITIC PEGMATITES. 53

N //
TTTTT
////
ExPLANATION
*

Overburd

SECTION ALONG LINE A-A

ºº
- wº

ſ
Yx ~l
Perthite-quartz-plagioclase
muscovite pegmatite
t Corey

t
w -w
Quartz-plagioclase
pegmatite
biotite-muscovite
zone
|
Quartz-plagioclase
muscovite(scrap)pegmatite
fBorderzone,

schist
Quartz-mica

nºw,
.*.*, autº
~~~
Strikeand dip

D
of foliation

--_
Strikeof vertical
foliation

Contact,dashed
whereapproximate

Contactbetween
pegmatiteunits,
exposed
--1--------"
Contactbetween
pegmatite units,
inferred

Limitof exposure

--- -
Rimof excavation

stream
Intermittent

MappedbyA.H.McNair,
80 1oo FEET andR.P.Brundage
J. Chivers,
1943

FIGURE 45–GEOLOGIC MAP AND SECTION OF PEGMATITE NO. 29,

RICE MINE. GROTON, NEW HAMPSHIRE
54 E. N. CAMERON, R. H. JAHNS, A. H. McNAIR AND L. R. PAGE.

ExPLANATION

pegmatte
Perthaeauartz

t º
º
N i -
s
.
ſ a
- - )
tº
.*.

Pagºclºse pegmatite.
quartz
contains
muchmusicovºte
insome
*– ---- -
---
- - e-
- - --- -- -
—sº-- “‘’ places,
margins
of
along
especially
core
wa ----,

Country
rock
ºf
Geºry “
1944

FIGURE 49-sometric FENCE DIAGRAM OF THE DEAKE PEGMATITE

MITCHELL COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA

all. The quartz core of the Jack Rabbit pegmatite (Fig. 46), and the perthite
quartz-plagioclase pegmatite cores of the White Spar (Fig. 30), Climax (Fig.
47), and Victory (Fig. 32), pegmatites of Custer County, S. D., and of
pegmatite No. 29, Rice mine, Groton, N. H. (Fig. 45), the quartz core of the
North Star pegmatite, Petaca district, N. Mex. (Fig. 48), and the Case No. 2
Portland, Conn. (Fig. 15), are
all

examples
of

the type core

of

pegmatite,
 INTERNAL STRUCTURE OF GRANITIC PEGMATITES. 55

EXPLANATION

Overburden

Basicdike

[…]
Pegmatiteindivided

EAST SELDEN PEGMATITE

Beryl-bearingquartz-perthite
plagioclase-muscovite
pegmatite
(Pods)
<.S.*
17an?
Beryl-bearingquartz. #
plagioclase-muscovite
pegmatite

|%2
Borderzone
(In section)

BoltonSchist
zo
H
Strikeand dip of foliation

..”.
Contactof pegmatite
and schist,showingdip

Contactbetween
pegmatitezones

Y/m
Plungeof crest,keel,
or roll of pegmatite

-A".
Limitof exposure

- Rim of opencut
SECTION ALONG LINE A-A
Nw
%millw
dump

—-1-1-1–1–
Footof
o 2O 4O 6O BO too FEET
(Contourinterral 10feet) Mapped byE.N.Cameron,
Arbitrary Datum v. E.Shainin,
March1943

FIGURE 5O-MAP AND SECTION OF EAST SELDEN PEGMATITE,

EAST HAMPTON, CONNECTICUT

that closely reflects the shape of much of the pegmatite body. In pegmatites
containing numerous intermediate zones, the cores commonly differ sharply
from the pegmatite bodies in shape.
Many pegmatites contain, instead of a single unit that can be designated
as a core, two or more innermost units of similar lithology, structure, and
position with respect to other zones. These are referred to as segments of a
56 E. N. CAMERON, R. H. JAHNS, A. H. McNAIR AND L. R. PAGE.

discontinuous core. Core segments commonly occur at bulges formed by

branching or rolling of the pegmatite contact, or in the vicinity of inclusions.
In the Drum pegmatite, Catawba County, N. C. (Fig. 27), the core con
sists of segments of quartz, as much as 15 feet thick, partly surrounded by an
inner intermediate zone of quartz-perthite-plagioclase-scrap muscovite-beryl
pegmatite, a thick outer intermediate zone of medium- to coarse-grained
plagioclase, and a wall zone of plagioclase-muscovite-quartz pegmatite. The
segments occur at bulges of the pegmatite. The different segments of a core
may be markedly unequal in size, as in the Keyes No. 1 pegmatite, Grafton
County, N. H. The main segment (Fig. 35) is at least 88 feet long and as
much as 18 feet thick. A second segment exposed in the north wall of the
main working above the level of the diagram is only 6 feet long and 1 to 2 feet
thick. The Deake pegmatite, Mitchell County, N. C. (Fig. 49), likewise
has a discontinuous core, of which two unequal segments are exposed. The
Ruggles pegmatite of Grafton County, has a perthite core composed of un
equal segments, the largest of which has been an important source of com
mercial feldspar.
In long, sinuous or tabular pegmatites a series of lenticular core segments
occur near the center of the body, particularly in the wider parts or at the
intersection of branches. The Little Julia No. 1 pegmatite of the Petaca
district, Rio Arriba County, N. Mex., is one example, in which the core
segments are massive quartz.
Many of the larger pegmatites of New England contain pods of coarse
quartz, perthite, plagioclase, muscovite, beryl, and other minerals in various
combinations and proportions. The pods are enclosed in wall-zone pegmatite
of different composition and texture. Adjacent to some pods are thin shells
of pegmatite differing in composition both from the pod and from the sur
rounding material. The sequence of lithologic units outward from the center
of any given pod is commonly consistent for a particular pegmatite. In some
pegmatites the pods are irregularly scattered, but there is every gradation to
pegmatites in which the pods are alined along the centers of the pegmatites,
and finally to pegmatites with continuous cores. In a given area, the com
position and texture of the pods are the same as those of continuous cores in
nearby pegmatites, and the thin shells enveloping them are similar to inter
mediate zones in the more distinctly zoned pegmatites. It seems evident that
pods are examples of imperfect core development in poorly zoned pegmatites.
The East Selden pegmatite (Fig. 50) and the Brown-Thurston pegmatite
(Fig. 51) are among the numerous examples of the pod-bearing type, which
is found in all the pegmatite districts of New England studied during the war.
According to E. Wm. Heinrich (oral communication 1945) the quartz
cores of many pegmatites in Alabama grade into platy masses and stringers
of quartz that are separated by feldspathic pegmatite. The gradation is gen
erally from the crest to the keelward portion of the body. -
Surface exposures are often of such a nature that the true core of a peg
matite is not exposed. Thus many pegmatite maps show apparent cores that
upon future exploration or mining may prove to be either wall or intermediate
zones. Consequently, the structure of each pegmatite must be studied in the
 INTERNAL STRUCTURE OF GRANITIC PEGMATITES. 57

2 5o tºo 2Go 3oo FEET

Contour
interval
5feet
Datumassumed
_--j-
ExPLANATION

ºn
E
r/
Quartz-perthite
pegmatite
-
%
Interlayered
quartz-mica
--
Contact,
showing
dip;
-
Beryl
ryūlocal
ity
schistandimpure
quartzite dashed
whereapproximate
5 --
* * ~*
E ºv
º: Quartz-plagioclase-perthite- Exposed
contact
-: muscovitepegmatite anddipoffoliation
Strike pegmatite
between units
sº
a
_x’ …
"------ Pan-table
andpace-compass
byD.M.Larrabee,
w.M.Hoag
survey
w H Ashley
Border
zone Strike
ofvertical
foliation Limitofexposure -ndH.R.Morris
June1943

FIGURE 51. – GEOLOGIC MAP OF THE BROWN-THURSTON BERYL PROSPECT.

RUMFORD, MAINE
58 E. N. CAMERON, R. H. JAHNS, A. H. McNAIR AND L. R. PAGE.

light of existing knowledge of sequences of mineral assemblages if one is to

decide whether the central unit is a true core. Present knowledge concerning
cores indicates that in polyzonal pegmatites in some districts only massive
quartz can unreservedly be considered a true core. Quartz with scattered
microcline crystals (not megascopically perthitic) likewise probably forms
true cores in some pegmatites, perthite the cores of still others. Other mineral
assemblages are much more likely to form wall or intermediate zones than
COres.
If the shape of the pegmatite body and the thickness of exposed zones is
known it is possible to predict not only whether additional zones are present
but also the probable size of the core, because of the layered structure of zones
and their relation to the walls of a pegmatite body. The Bob Ingersoll Dike
No. 2, Pennington County, S. D. (Fig. 42), showed little evidence of a
spodumene-quartz core in 1939; instead, there was an apparent core of perth
ite-quartz pegmatite. When the Dike No. 1 (Fig. 41) on the same property
was first worked, there was no exposure of the lepidolite-cleavelandite pegma
tite core. If these pegmatites had been mapped prior to mining, no true core
would have appeared on the maps. The Ernest Johnson pegmatite of the
Spruce Pine District, Mitchell County, N. C., is a pegmatite that may con
tain a quartz core at depth, although present exposures consist predominantly
of a medium- to coarse-grained aggregate of quartz, plagioclase, perthite,
muscovite, and biotite, with a few quartz-rich pods that might be core seg
ments. The lithology and texture are identical with those of more fully
exposed pegmatites that contain cores of massive quartz.
In South Dakota the presence of apparent cores of perthite-quartz pegma
tite above true cores of lithium-bearing minerals is so common that it has been
recognized by the miners, who expect certain of their feldspar mines to con
tain lithium minerals at depth. In the same area, apparent and true cores of
very large perthite crystals set in finer-grained intergrowths of albite in
quartz obscure the well developed sheet-mica bearing wall zones that exist at
depth. The White Spar (Fig. 30), Climax (Fig. 47), Buster Dike, Victory
(Fig. 32), and probably the undeveloped White Bear pegmatites of the Custer
district, Custer County, S. D., are of this character and are somewhat simi
lar in structure to the Ernest Johnson pegmatite described above. The
Strickland-Cramer pegmatite of Portland, Conn. is of similar structure. The
perthite-graphic granite-quartz-plagioclase zone was worked for more than 30
years before the sheet-mica-bearing wall zones were discovered in depth.
The mineral composition and texture of cores vary from pegmatite to
pegmatite and district to district, yet some generalizations are possible. In
New England the common cores of polyzonal pegmatites are massive quartz,
massive perthite, or quartz with scattered giant crystals of perthite. In the
Southeastern States the common cores in polyzonal pegmatites are quartz or
quartz-perthite pegmatite. In the Black Hills of South Dakota the common
cores of sheet-mica-bearing pegmatites are quartz or quartz-perthite-plagio
clase pegmatite. The cores of pegmatites that yield commercial feldspar are
either quartz, quartz-perthite, quartz-perthite-plagioclase, quartz-cleavelandite
spodumene, quartz-spodumene, or lepidolite-cleavelandite pegmatite. Pegma
 INTERNAL STRUCTURE OF GRANITIC PEGMATITES. 59
*
tites in Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho are similar, with individual
core types depending on the composition of the body in question. At the Mus
covite mine in Latah County, Idaho, the pegmatite has a core of cleavelandite
quartz pegmatite. In New Mexico the cores in many pegmatites with only
two zones are aggregates of perthite and quartz that are but slightly coarser
grained than the border zones; in contrast, the cores of polyzonal pegmatites
are massive quartz or massive quartz with giant crystals of perthite.
Pegmatites that contain only two zones commonly have cores that are
medium- to coarse-grained in texture and are generally composed of plagio
clase, potash feldspar, quartz, mica, and tourmaline. Some of these, like the
tabular Monteiro-Amber Queen pegmatite in Goochland County, Va., and
many lenticular and tonguelike pegmatites in the Spruce Pine district of
North Carolina, consist chiefly of coarse plagioclase and quartz, and yield
high proportions of large sheet mica. Most, however, are rather lean in
minerals of commercial importance. The texture of cores in most well-zoned
pegmatites is very coarse grained, especially where perthite, spodumene, and
quartz are the component minerals. In rarer instances aggregates of cleave
landite, muscovite, lepidolite, beryl and other accessory minerals may be of
comparable size. Normally the cleavelandite crystals or grains in cores are
no larger than in other zones and are intergrown with quartz of comparable
size. There seems to be a rough correlation between the size of a well-zoned
pegmatite and the size of the crystals in the core. The larger the body in
question the larger the crystals in the core. There are many exceptions to
this rule, however.

Sequences of Mineral Assemblages in Zoned Pegmatites.

General Statement.—It has been observed repeatedly in the course of theſ

recent investigations that groups of pegmatites within given districts not only
have similar zonal structures but also show similar sequences of assemblages
of essential minerals from the walls inward. This generalization is clearly
illustrated in 22 pegmatites of the Rice Mine-Pikes Ledge area, in Groton,
N. H., and in 26 pegmatites of the adjoining Rice-Palermo area; in 39 peg
matites of the Crabtree Creek area, Spruce Pine district, N. C. that were
studied in detail; in 73 pegmatites of the Petaca district of New Mexico that
were studied in detail; in several groups of pegmatites mapped and studied by
E. W. Heinrich in Alabama; and in 79 pegmatites in the southern Black Hills
of South Dakota.
The Rice Mine-Pikes Ledge area occupies approximately 1 square mile
in Groton, N. H. Twenty-two pegmatites of the area, studied by G. W.
Stewart in 1944, show the following general sequence of mineral assem
blages (in terms of essential minerals) from the walls of the pegmatites
inward: (1) quartz-muscovite pegmatite with or without plagioclase; (2)
quartz-perthite-plagioclase-muscovite pegmatite with or without biotite; (3)
perthite-quartz-muscovite pegmatite; (4) perthite-quartz pegmatite; (5)
quartz. No. 3 of the sequence is poorly developed, being represented by
material along the outer margin of No. 4 that is relatively rich in muscovite.
60 E. N. CAMERON, R. H. JAHNS, A. H. McNAIR AND L. R. PAGE.

Ten of the pegmatites consist of combinations of (1) and (2), eleven of (1)
and (2) with various combinations of (3), (4), and (5).

all
In pegmatites
mineral assemblages present are found sequence from the walls

in
those

as a
inward that corresponds the general sequence given above. Twenty-six

to
pegmatites studied the Rice-Palermo area, adjoining the Rice Mine-Pikes

in
Ledge area the north, show similar sequence, with the addition quartz

of
to

a
plagioclase member between (1) and (2). this area, three types

In
devia

of
tions from the sequence given above are found: telescoped zones, repetition
member (2), and variants member (1) that contain biotite

as

as
of

of
well
muscovite. Telescoped zones, previously described, are zones composed

as
minerals belonging mineral assemblages occupying

or
to
more types
of

of
two
or

adjacent sequential positions the general succession; e.g., minerals

of
in
members (2) and (3), (4), (5), and (6), (4) and (6). Such tele
or

or
scoped zones invariably occupy the same sequential position within the pegma

In
occupy other pegmatites.
as

the individual members represented

in
tites
some pegmatites, quartz-perthite-plagioclase-muscovite pegmatite found

is
outside member (2), others inside. Though similar mineral composi
in

in
tion, the two occurrences differ textural characteristics, and further study
in

may well show consistent differences the plagioclase

of
anorthite content in
or

composition the muscovite. The variant (1) inter

of

of
in

member

is
composition between (1) and (2) the general sequence.
of
in

mediate
Though these deviations are found,
on

the whole the sequences

of
mineral
assemblages the various pegmatites show remarkable approach
in

to
a

uniformity.
general sequence mineral assemblages valid for zoned pegmatites
of

in
A

by

many areas has been recognized comparison sequences

of

of of
mineral assem
blages within major districts. The generalized sequence mineral assem
thus far determined for four major areas studied given the left
as

blages

in
is

The sequences mineral assemblages for the major

in of

of

hand column Table

1.

areas appear the remaining columns. Sequences for individual areas cor
respond various parts the generalized sequence. Sequences differ chiefly
of
to

that some zones present one area are absent from certain others, but
in

in

for any one the areas the sequence whatever assemblages are present
of

of of

essentially the same from the walls for any

as

the pegmatites inward

is

other district. Deviations found are similar to those described from the Rice
Mine-Pikes Ledge area; thus, some pegmatites the southeastern states,
of
in

quartz-plagioclase pegmatite forms two zones different positions

in
at

the
general sequence. such pegmatites, the two zones commonly have different
In

types muscovite, and further laboratory studies may show that the plagio
in of

the two zones differs systematically anorthite content.

in

clase
Table shows that the most common mineral assemblages are composed
1

essentially either plagioclase, potash feldspar, and quartz,

or
of

combinations
these minerals with muscovite, biotite, amblygonite, spodumene, and lepi
of

the basis for the generalized se

as

dolite. These minerals have been used

The occurrence many accessory minerals, such tourmaline, beryl,
as

quence.
of

topaz, columbite-tantalite, phosphates, etc., systematically

to

likewise related
is
In

the sequences. some pegmatites these minerals are essential constituents

 INTERNAL STRUCTURE OF GRANITIC PEGMATITES. 61

of certain zones, but their inclusion in the generalized sequence would only
lengthen the list and obscure the more fundamental sequence of the feldspars,
quartz, micas, and lithium minerals. Mineral assemblages in which normal
accessory minerals are unusually abundant are treated as special variants of
the general sequence.
TABLE 1.

MINERAL Assemblages, MAJOR PEGMATITE DISTRIcts.

Southeastern New Petaca, Black Hills,

states” Englandt New Mexico | South Dakota
-
(1) Plagioclase-quartz-muscovite X X 0 X
(2) Plagioclase-quartz X X 0 X
(3) Quartz-perthite-plagioclase, with
or without muscovite, with or
without biotite X X X X
(4) Perthite-quartz X . X X X
(5) Perthite-quartz-plagioclase
amblygonite-spodumene 0 0 0 X
(6) Plagioclase-quartz-spodumene 0 X? 0 X
(7) Quartz-spodumene 0 0 0 X
(8) Lepidolite-plagioclase-quartz 0 X? 0 X
(9) Quartz-microcline 0 0 0 X
(10) Microcline-plagioclase-lithia
micas-quartz 0 0 0. X
(11) Quartz X X X X

0, mineral assemblage not observed.

X, mineral assemblage observed.
X?, mineral assemblage observed, exact position in sequence uncertain.
* Does not include pegmatites of the tin-spodumene belt (N. C. and S. C.) or Alabama tin
pegmatites. Inclusion of these would require addition of assemblages (6) and (7) to the list
given for this area.
f Does not include lithia-rich pegmatites of Maine and Massachusetts.

The zones found in a given pegmatite commonly do not conform exactly

to the general sequence of mineral assemblages given in Table 1, because in
some pegmatites certain zones are lacking, in others two or more assem
blages are telescoped into a single zone, and in still others a single assemblage
is represented by two or more adjacent zones that differ in texture, in content
of accessory minerals, or in abundance of one of the essential minerals of
the assemblage. Thus, in many pegmatites the first member of the general
sequence is represented by two zones, a fine-grained border zone and a
medium- to coarse-grained wall zone. The distribution of accessory min
erals, such as beryl, columbite-tantalite, microlite, and others of economic
interest, may require subdivision of a mineral assemblage into two or more
62 E. N. CAMERON, R. H. JAHNS, A. H. McNAIR AND L. R. PAGE.

zones. In the Case No. 1 pegmatite, Portland, Conn. quartz-perthite pegma

tite is divided into two zones, a wall zone relatively rich in beryl and an
intermediate zone relatively lean in beryl.
Within individual units of the generalized sequence the proportions of
the essential minerals vary widely. The number of combinations resulting
from this is large. Some combinations are of common occurrence in each
pegmatite district. Particularly common are units in which one mineral is
so abundant that the units are essentially monomineralic. The plagioclase
unit of Table 2 is a special variant of a zone that generally consists of plagio
clase and quartz. -

Although mineral assemblages corresponding to a given member of the

general sequence are similar in the several districts, they are not identical.
For example, member No. 1 of the sequences for the districts is plagioclase
quartz-muscovite pegmatite, but the composition of the plagioclase in this
member is not the same for every pegmatite, even within the same district.
Wall zones composed of this mineral assemblage in pegmatites of the south
eastern states have plagioclase with, anorthite content ranging from Anis to
Angs, whereas comparable assemblages in the pegmatites of South Dakota
have plagioclase ranging from An, to Anza. Detailed studies of variations
in composition may well show comparable ranges in the composition of other
minerals. Nevertheless, there is remarkable approach to constancy of the
order in which various mineral species appear in successive assemblages from
the walls of the pegmatites inward. Plagioclase and muscovite are the char
acteristic minerals of the outermost zones of most pegmatites. Biotite appears
in mixtures of plagioclase, perthite, quartz, and muscovite in the zones next
succeeding, and perthite and quartz are characteristic of inner zones. In
lithium-bearing pegmatites, additional mineral assemblages appear between
the perthite-rich assemblages and the quartz member which concludes the
general sequence. Only a very few mineral assemblages are found at more
than one position in the sequence—most common is the assemblage plagio
clase-quartz-muscovite.
Sequences of Mineral Assemblages in Mica-Feldspar Pegmatites of the
Southeastern States.—Mica-feldspar pegmatites of the southeastern states
have the simplest sequences of mineral assemblages (Table 2). Most pegma
tites there appear to have been derived from quartz diorite, granodiorite, and
quartz monzonite magmas, and many are similar in composition to nearby
large masses of intrusive rock. Most of the pegmatites contain median to
calcic oligoclase (Anis ae) in their outer zones.
Most border and wall zones in the mica-feldspar pegmatites of the south
eastern states are equivalent to number 1 of the sequence given in Table 2.
They are characteristically rich in quartz and plagioclase, with or without
muscovite. Some contain biotite, most of which appears to have been formed
by reaction between pegmatite solutions and wall rock. Some outer zones
contain perthite, especially in simply zoned pegmatites; hence they correspond
in lithology to the intermediate zones of other, more plagioclase-rich pegma
tites. Both intermediate zones and cores vary greatly in lithology. The
cores of most bi-zonal pegmatites are composed of one or another of the units
 2.
TABLE

MINERAL ASSEMBLAGES OF MICA-FELDSPAR PEGMATITEs of the SouTHEASTERN STATEs.

E
- -

-
-

.g
2.
> c
-- -

-
C -z

- -

z.
te º - -

§
,; ||
|
:
||

..
3.
..

*3
3

*;

=
|z|
#
-á sº.

.#

g##

.J
#

<|| |3

.. =.3
#Q #d 30 #9 |&# #9 g## #:
-

£J ºt.

..5||| ||3 ||
-< 3

|||
-c 3&
P.

3.2 2.2 3: ºf *.3 |#C #2 |## #5 3.2 ||3: 32 |#3

£z
£z

2.
| ||

#3
#3
|
|32 |33 ##|32 |33 |^3
&z #2, #3
.. * |32

35
5§§ 3
|| 5||

J ..| |
|

.. ,ś
| #
;.
##| ##| ##| ##| ##| ##|##. |3: |##| || 3.

.g|| 3#

;
;

||
|§ f|. |

#|#|#|#|#|#|:
#3 #3 53 23 |:3 |:3 |<óz ś3 ||3:z ; 5% 53 jj;|#|###|:
|:#z |3:2 33 £3 ||3:32 *z |}}
#:

*(1a) Quartz-muscovite Xa X Xa
X

e
|
|

(1) Plagioclase-quartz-muscovite Xe Xb, X X X X X Xb X Xb Xb Xd,b X

X
X
X

|
(2) Plagioclase-quartz Xb Xb X Xb X X X X

| |
*(2a) Plagioclase-quartz-muscovite X* X Xe x X X X X X X

*(2b) Plagioclase Xb X X

(3) Quartz-perthite-plagioclase,
with or without biotite, with
X

|
or without muscovite X Xa X X Xc Xb Xe X X

*(4a) Perthite-quartz-muscovite X X X

(4) Perthite-quartz X X X Xb

(4b) Perthite X

(4c) Perthite euhedra-quartz X X X

(11) Quartz X X X X X X X X X X X X

of
of

in
Variants mineral assemblages abundantly represented pegmatites this region.

in
a
Developed few pegmatite lenses only.

as

in
Developed locally; general not mapped separate zone.

of
Mapped as two zones on basis textural differences.

of
of

or

on
2.

Divisible into several very thin units basis presence absence muscovite and garnet.
of
of

* ** * **
in
in

Assemblages distinguished this pegmatite on basis differences type and properties muscovite.
 64 E. N. CAMERON, R. H. JAHNS, A. H. McNAIR AND L. R. PAGE.

listed between 1 and 3 in the general sequence, but in polyzonal pegmatites

the cores generally correspond to numbers 4 and 10 of Table 1.
Many mica-rich zones that fringe pegmatite cores correspond either to

lie
They against quartz cores

in
number 2a or to number 4a of the sequence.
parts pegmatite bodies where perthite perthite-quartz

or

or
pegmatite bodies

of
zones are not developed, but elsewhere they are separated from the cores by
Book muscovite occurs most commonly
or

of
one both zones

in
these zones.
corresponding the general scheme. The mica within

of
numbers and

to

in 3
1
given zone color, clearness, types and distribution

of
rather consistent
is
a

structural imperfections, and electrical properties, whereas the books from

different zones within the same pegmatite commonly differ very strikingly.
Green “A” mica, for example, especially abundant along the edges quartz

of
is
many pegmatites, whereas the wall-zone mica the same pegmatites
in

in
cores
buff, cinnamon brown, or
brownish olive and little reeved. “A,” herring
is

bone, and wedged books are most abundant pegmatites and pegmatite zones

in in
potash feldspar, some that contain sodic albite,
as

as
that are rich well
in

- the flat books that generally yield mica better quality are
of

of
whereas most
perthite-poor pegmatite.
to of in 3 S. in

Sequences Mineral Assemblages Pegmatites New England.—Table

of

of

in
shows the generalized sequence mineral assemblages those pegmatites
of

in
New England for which data are available. Lithium-bearing pegmatites
Maine and Massachusetts are not included, but some

to of
these are known
contain lithia mineral-bearing assemblages comparable lithium

of
those
bearing pegmatites the Black Hills.
of of

to to by

The pegmatites New England covered Table though they contain 3,

additional zones, are similar many ways pegmatites.
in

the southeastern
They contain abundant sodic oligoclase (Anlo An go) albite (An,
or

to
lo)
their outer zones and appear have been derived from granodiorite, quartz
in

to

monzonite and granite magmas. Many them have persistent outer zones
of

rich plagioclase. Sodic albite generally occurs inner zones, fracture

in

in

fillings, bodies, and commonly

an
or

replacement not essential mineral.

is

3)
Core-margin zones containing commercial sheet-mica (3a and
3b
of

Table
are found few pegmatites New England. Wall and outer intermediate
in

in
a

zones containing commercial sheet-mica are numerous and were the principal
mica production New England during the war period.
of

in

source
Preliminary studies have been made
to

determine the anorthite content

plagioclase New England. The
of

certain pegmatites
of

of

various zones
in

by

approximately 350 specimens were determined

of

refractive indices Glenn

W. Stewart. studied, the plagioclase
In

the pegmatites
of

some uniform
is

composition, many others varies systematically anorthite content

in

in

in
it

Plagioclase some pegmatites

to

of

from border zone the border zones

as in

core.
relatively high percent, but commonly
20
as

has anorthite content, much

a

the plagioclase ranges from An, An,.

In

such pegmatites the wall and

to

outer intermediate zones contain plagioclase lower anorthite content,

in
of of

general ranging from An,

In

Ana. represented
to

most the pegmatites

by

samples studied optically, even though the plagioclase ranges from relatively
 3.
TABLE

MINERAL ASSEMBLAGES, PEGMATITES OF NEw ENGLAND.

.|
k- ºw

-
-
-

-
-
-
-
#

#2 :

-
-
-
-
- --

*
- -

-ºr

º:
E
-
º

= c;C=
--

5
#>

:T:
.
..

T33
3:

:-

2.
-

||
||
3
53 |33 =z #|
-

c
||
||
-
#
º

-—f

||
3:
…

rº
#|#|#| - --- 7-3
23-3 |##| ||34 |##|

+5
#| ||
J. #

E
E
: z3 3E

†
3 |3

Tº
º
E.
E.
|

=
|=
à

5 ||
|=||||
||
|| |;: 5
3

3
#|#|#|#| 3: |H|4|| |H|##|H|#33 ##

|||| |
||
|| :;|
##|33 3: ## 35 # ##|33 ##| ##| ##| 35 ##| # #3 #5

|=||||:* ſ
|

:*3: |
X

|=|||||* |

r||| |
(1) Plagioclase-quartz-muscovite X- X2 X2 X2 X2 X X2 X2 X2 X2

(2) Plagioclase-quartz X X X

or
(3) Quartz-perthite-plagioclase, with
without muscovite, with or without
biotite X2 X X X2 X X Xs X X2 X2 X2 X X X3 X2

(3.a) Plagioclase-quartz-muscovite X X

(3.b) Perthite-quartz-muscovite X X

(4) Perthite-quartz X2 X X X X X X X X X X X X X

(6a) Plagioclase-quartz' X

(8) Lepidolite-plagioclase-quartz X?

|
(11) Quartz X? X X X X X X X X

X. mineral assemblage present, mapped as one zone.

of

as
or
or

X2, mineral assemblage mapped two zones on basis texture mineral proportions, both.
Xs, unit mapped as three zones.

in
X?, unit present, exact position sequence uncertain.

of
of
of

in

6
1
Probably variant mineral assemblage Table that lacks spodumene. Similar variants are found Black Hills pegmatites (6a Table 5).

in

**
3
4
Members and not distinguished Figure 29.
3.
66 E. N. CAMERON, R. H. JAHNS, A. H. McNAIR AND L. R. PAGE.

high calcic albite or oligoclase in outer zones to plagioclase relatively low in

all
anorthite in inner zones, some sodic albite is present in the zones.
The following field generalizations apply muscovite. Muscovite books

to
outer zones generally are brown color, are flat and

to
reddish brown
in

in
contain less reeves and “wedge mica” than muscovite from inner zones. Inner
zones general contain smaller bronze
in greenish-yellow books that have

to
“A” structure Some inner zones, however, contain flat

or
wedge structure.
good quality.
of

mica
Beryl occurs the sequence, but most the beryl

of

of
several members
production in
New England has come from inner intermediate zones corres
of

ponding

3b
3a
or

or
to

the table, from replacement bodies.

of
number number

TABLE 4.

MINERAL Assemblages, PEGMATITEs of PETAcA, NEw Mexico.

ºv

§ #
.* k

3 $.5 #

t# #

#
# 3
5 :E# #

3 ## E

|
33 .
5§ # .
| .

- -
:g

|| -->

||
3É3

5 3.5
|

3 º:
-- i- -- -: c

$§
2
2
||

||

||

||

||

||

||
E
|

(3) Quartz-perthite
or

plagioclase, with
without muscovite,
with or without
biotite X X X X X
(4a) Perthite-quartz,
with or without
muscovite Xa Xa Xa Xa Xa X X Xa X Xa

(4b) Perthite-quartz X X X X X X X
(4c) Perthite euhedra
quartz X X X X X X X X X
(11) Quartz X X X X X X X X X X

Mapped more zones on the basis of texture.

or

as two
*

Sequences Mineral Assemblages Pegmatites Petaca, N. Mer.—

of of

of
in

The sequence pegmatites the Petaca, N. Mex. district

of

units listed
in

is

pegmatites
of

of

of

Table Most the border zones the Petaca district

in

to 4.

medium-grained granitoid aggregates perthite, quartz, and mica,

of

are fine-
plagioclase. few pegmatites, however, contain border zones
no

of

with
A

perthite, albite-oligoclase, and quartz, with

or

without muscovite and biotite.

general such units contain more muscovite than the plagioclase-free units.
In

The wall zones are typically medium- coarse-grained, granitoid aggregates

to

perthite and quartz, and locally are rich graphic granite. Some
of

of
in

these
zones grade inward into units identical composition but extremely coarse
of

texture.
 INTERNAL STRUCTURE OF GRANITIC PEGMATITES. 67

Intermediate zones, where present, most commonly include (a) coarse,

blocky perthite, with or without local masses of graphic granite, (b) graphic
granite, and (c) massive quartz with scattered perthite crystals 6 inches to 12
feet or more in diameter. The cores are massive quartz in those pegmatites
with three or more zones, and coarse, granitoid perthite-quartz pegmatite in
the more simply zoned bodies.
Sequences of Mineral Assemblages in Pegmatites in South Dakota.-Peg

all
the major mineral assemblages listed

of
matites in South Dakota contain
the generalized sequence These types and their variants are

of
Table
in

1.
which lists the major mineral assemblages 20 typical
5,

of
shown Table
in

pegmatites South Dakota. w

in

separated into two broad groups,

be
The pegmatites listed Table
of in
can

5
according complexity One group,
to

sequence mineral assemblages.

of
7–20, contains pegmatites with lithium minerals. The first pegmatites

6
as
represent the group which lithium minerals are rare, and taken whole
in

a
are remarkably similar New England and the southeastern
to

pegmatites of
The Earl Lode and New York pegmatites appear

be
transition

to
states.
types between the two groups.
the essential minerals appearing the generalized sequence for
of

Some
in
composition from the walls

of
South Dakota show marked variation
in

the
a

pegmatites inward. The changes are part similar other districts.

in

in
those to
or

Plagioclase either constant composition shows anorthite

in

in
decrease
is

content from the outer zones Oligoclase (Anio 2a) has been
to

the core.
pegmatites and only two these, the Giant
of

of
identified the wall zones
in

Volney and Hugo, contain lithium minerals. By far the largest number

of
pegmatites contain albite (An,
lo)

the outer zones, although many

of
in

the
lithium-bearing pegmatites contain more sodic albite the outer zones. This
in
by

physical shape
in

change accompanied change

of
anorthite content
in
is

the plagioclase crystals. Oligoclase and calcic albite have

or
more less
a

equidimensional habit and the more sodic albite has platy form (cleaveland
a

ite). Between these two extremes are all gradations form; few investi
in

gators use the same criteria distinguish one type from the other.
to

physical form, and perhaps

in

Muscovite likewise shows variation

or of in
a

chemical composition, from unit The muscovite

to

unit the sequence.

books unit associated with oligoclase calcic albite, are predominantly
in

1,
if

composed relatively flat ruby-colored cleavage sheets; these are less common
of

inner units. The muscovite assemblages containing more sodic albite

of
in

has proportionally larger quantities books with “A” structure and the mica
of

lighter color. Aggregate small crystals and flakes

of

of

of

muscovite are
is

more common the inner units than outer units.

in

in

The potash feldspars are visibly more perthitic units early the se
in

in

quence than the sequence. Spodumene shows decreasing

in

in

those late
alteration products from outer inner units. Spodumene crystals
of

amounts
to

plagioclase-perthite-quartz the Mateen pegmatite are

of

formed
in

the zone
completely altered yellow muscovite. Spodumene the outer part
of

the
in
to

perthite-quartz zone the Helen Beryl pegmatite part completely altered

in
at

is

yellow muscovite; spodumene formed with quartz, perthite, and plagioclase

to
 5.
TABLE

SEQUENCES OF MINERAL ASSEMBLAGES, BLAck HILLs, SouTH DAKOTA.

3.

^4 - ºw

5c
ºw - - ~

||

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-}
3E3
Ét 2-
.E.

— 75 #3
-

>
k- an k-

º
.g ...t EZ Ez

&
v

3.
~ º -
&

>
º?
:
:
º#3 3:

*# #
8#
33

&:=5
#3 H3
# #3
33 *#5
#3

>
|| ||
||
||||
||| ||
35 35

2
3

<
<
<
#>
3 r:#5 <
“.*#3 =
-%#3 >
33 <

aČ = *
5 #5 *
É5 *

: #: -
|
||| |
-|E| #|E| *|
||
|| |
||| |
||| |
| ||
|| 5 | |
|| |
|
|| ||
|| ||| |
|| || |
||
|| ||
#E 3:

3 5f
||| |f
|S|
X
|
:# *:3|5|| 2|| |

X
(1) Plagioclase-quartz-muscovite X X X X X X X X X X X X X

x
2
(2) Plagioclase-quartz X X X X X X X

(3) Quartz-perthite-plagioclase,

|
2.

|
with or without muscovite X X X X X X X x X X X X

?
|
X

(4) Perthite-quartz X X X X X X X X

(5) Perthite- (or microcline-)

quartz-plagioclase
P

2
|

amblygonite-spodumene X X X X X X X X

|
*(6a) Plagioclase-quartz X X X X X X
P
(6) Plagioclase-quartz-spodumene X X X X X
-
X
X

|
|
| |
|
|
|

(7) Quartz-spodumene X X X X X2 X
P

2
2

-
(8) Lepidolite-plagioclase-quartz X
?
?

(9) Quartz-microcline X X

(10) Microline-plagioclase-lithia
micas-quartz X
2

(11) Quartz X X X X
6.

of

as

is
is

in
a

6a, which spodumene not an essential mineral,

in considered variant assemblage
indicates mineral assemblage recognized zones.
or

is

* X?
indicates mineral assemblage has been recognized, but poorly exposed developed.
X2, hydrothermal replacement body insame sequence as zone.
 INTERNAL STRUCTURE OF GRANITIC PEGMATITES. 69

(unit 5) at the Etta mine is partly altered to a very fine-grained aggregate of

hydrous micaceous and clay minerals; and spodumene with quartz and
plagioclase (unit 6) at many pegmatites shows a similar but less intense altera
tion. Spodumene in quartz (unit 7), though partly altered in some pegma
tites, commonly is less altered than in the outer units.
The accessory minerals also show systematic variations that are closely
related to the generalized sequence of mineral assemblages. Studies of the
index of refraction of beryl from the various zones in pegmatites suggests

all
that in some pegmatites the beryl is the same in zones, but others there

in
beryl, and presumably alkali content, from

of
definite increase index
in

in
is
a

direct relationship.

be
the outer the inner zones. There also appears
to

to

a
beryl and the sodium content the plagioclase
of

of
between the alkali content
feldspar. Lithium pegmatites with sodic albite outer zones contain beryl

in
higher index

do
of

of

refraction these zones than those with more calcic

of in

plagioclase. Detailed studies composition tourmaline, co

of
variation

in
lumbite-tantalite, microlite, and phosphate minerals have not been made, but

be

to
field observations suggest that variations exist that may related the
general zonal sequence. There appears some evidence, from specific be
to

gravity studies, that the columbite-tantalite minerals show an increase

in
Ta,O, content from the walls pegmatite inward. Microlite, the calcium
of
a

tantalate, appears limited the innermost zones lepidolite-bearing peg

to

of

matites. Tourmaline, especially the black variety, appears most concentrated

calcic plagioclase and quartz, calcic plagioclase, quartz,
or

wall zones rich

in

in

and perthite. Blue and greenish-blue tourmaline are more common zones

in
moderately sodic albite associated with “A” structure muscovite. Pink
of

and green tourmaline are associated with more sodic albite and lepidolite

in
the inner zones.
Sequences Mineral Assemblages
of

Other Districts Studied.—The broad

in

by

sequence mineral assemblages pegmatites

of

shown the southeastern

in

states, New England, Black Hills, South Dakota, and Petaca district, N. Mex.
applied the many zoned pegmatites studied Colorado,
be

to

also
in

can
as

Wyoming, Idaho, and western Arizona. The mineral variations,

as

far
they have been studied, have been given the sequences
of

the discussion
in

the various districts. The following generalizations hold for each

of

of

the
districts studied with very minor exceptions:
Oligoclase the early members
in
or

calcic median albite limited

3 to

to
is

the sequence, Nos. Sodic albite may occur

of

Table
is 5, in
to

members
1.
1
4,

most abundant in, and characteristic

6,
to

of

but
8.

members and
is
1

Plagioclase increases the dom

6,

abundance from member

is 8 in

to

member
an 5

inant feldspar and, present, only accessory mineral zones

in

in

zone
in is
if

4,

Perthite most abundant and microcline,

to

and 11. members

9

megascopically free albite, the dominant feldspar

of

1, in

zones and 10.

is

commonly concentrated
3,

4,

Muscovite and
in

members and
is

is
a

commonly more abundant plagio

of

minor constituent other zones.

in
It
is

clase-rich zones than perthite-rich zones.

in
on

Superimposed type and abundance feldspar are

of

the variations
in

changes the type major lithium mineral present. Amblygonite, except

of
in
70 E. N. CAMERON, R. H. JAHNS, A. H. McNAIR AND L. R. PAGE.

as a minor accessory,is limited to member 5, the proportion of spodumene

increasesfrom member 5 to member 6 and decreases in zone 7. Lepidolite

all
is abundant only in zone 8. Quartz, a component of zones, most

is
abundant zone 11.

in
Fracture Fillings.

by
General Features.—Fracture fillings, formed the simple filling frac

of
pegmatite without appreciable replacement the walls, are similar

of
tures
in

nonpegmatitic ore deposits that were formed along frac

to
some respects
in

tures. Nearly all

are distinctly veinlike tabular, and they range from thin

to
stringers feet thick and 100 feet long.

10
masses more than Most are
to

by
small, with thicknesses well
of
less than foot. Some are controlled

a
late fractures that are consistently parallel, normal, oblique

or
of of

defined sets
the pegmatite body (Fig. 52). formed
the walls Others evidently were
in to

more irregular, random fractures. Many fracture fillings transect bound

aries between zones, but others—especially those that are essentially conform
the enclosing pegmatite body—lie entirely within
of

able with the walls

a
single zone.
The structural pattern fracture fillings generally does not correspond
of

the earlier-formed zones, although numerous exceptions are known.

In to

of

that
the Gotta-Walden deposit, Portland, Conn., steeply dipping fracture-filling
quartz, with accessory microcline, plagioclase, and beryl trend
of

“veins”
nearly normal

In
the pegmatite body.
of

of
the strike the main lobe
to

the
McKinney pegmatite, Mitchell County, (Fig. 53), fracture fillings
N.
C.

of
quartz with minor microcline, albite, samarskite, and sulfide minerals occur
well-defined transverse and longitudinal sets fractures. Veinlike quartz
of
in

stringers, inches thick, are abundant the outer part

to
V8

of
inch
in

the same
4

pegmatite, general are conformable with the walls. Other fracture

in

but
fillings form irregular stockworks, especially massive quartz other brittle,
or
in

rather homogeneous material. Excellent examples are the anastomosing

cleavelandite-beryl veinlets massive quartz the Harding mine, Taos
of at
in

quartz, albite, and “wedge

N.

County, Mex., and the branching aggregates

A” muscovite many pegmatites the Crabtree area, Mitchell and Yancey
of
C. in

Counties, N. -
Fracture fillings vary greatly
to

age with respect the host pegmatite.

in

Some are plainly contemporaneous with certain pegmatite zones. Others cut
all

across entire pegmatite bodies, transecting zones and even the pegmatite
country rock contacts, and may not always possible
be

determine whether
to
it

these are genetically related

to

the pegmatites which they occur. Some

in

layered have been emplaced along fractures

or

zoned pegmatite bodies appear

to

very coarse-grained intrusive rocks that have been variously termed granite,
in

pegmatitic granite, and fine- medium-grained pegmatite. Many examples

or

such “pegmatite pegmatite” are known from the Spruce Pine district
of

of
in

western North Carolina and from the Black Hills region

of

South Dakota.
general such pegmatite bodies appear genetically related
be
In

to

the host
to

intrusives, but they not necessarily represent final stages the develop
do

in
 …” EXPLANATION

_--—

of
Border pegmatite body
(Includes border zone)

-- ~~
Contact between pegmatite zones

__---"
Pegmatite fracture filling
is

ſCenter line shown,

to

no

with attempt
indicatethickness)

i.
L
A

A-zoned PEGMatite witH RAtol and

concent Ric FRActure FILLings.
PREsu MABLY ForMED ALong cooling
- fºonwrºaction, cracks.
B-zon ED PEGMATtre witH JRREGul AR

i
F

1O 2O 3o FEET Racture. Fil-Lings

C
E

zon ED PEGMAtit witH FRAcTuRE

E

FILLING's ControLLED BY on set of

THROUGH-Going Joints

worf: For Purposes of tilus rºarrow.

frie rºac Ture frt Linwºss
are afucºr
a
a

afore BurwoArwrin rate of Graafs

r A

rº-fanfrvafos crual re.Gafarires.

>

FIGURE 52–IDEALIZED PLANS OF POD LIKE PEGMATITE BODIES,

SHOWING TYPICAL DISTRIBUTION OF FRACTURE FILLINGS.

72 E. N. CAMERON, R. H. JAHNS, A. H. McNAIR AND L. R. PAGE.

ExPLANATION

Pegmatite
undivided

Micaschistand
schist
hornblende W).

As
Strikeanddip *
º
of foliation -
7-
_*— — ...Vertº
$8
s:
*-
§§
| wº

it.
Fracture or Q.
slipjoint t ->

º
...” vertical
§§

%
3
filling ck *..

of
Fracture
quartz quartz
or

and
perthite,
blocky showing dip
zo
Pegmatite showing
contact dip
whereapproximate,
(shortdashes -- *---
longdasheswhereinterred

-
dumps)
beneath

|\

|W
|
Rim quarry
of

<\wºn
Tºru, "' *z/z.
Dump

16o isof EET"

* by H.Jahns
Mapped
R.

interveto feet
contour
- 1946
je

Abatum mºonsealevel
FIGURE53-MAP OF MAIN LOBE OF MCKINNEY PEGMATITE
SHOWING DISTRIBUTION OF
EXPOSED MAJOR FRACTURES, SLIP JOINTS
AND FRACTURE FILLINGS
MITCHELL COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA
 INTERNAL STRUCTURE OF GRANITIC PEGMATITES. 73

ment of the immediately adjacent rock. The younger they are with respect
to the containing pegmatite, the more they can be viewed as separate pegma
tites that were formed independently of the host.
Many fracture fillings are earlier than, or contemporaneous with, the
innermost zones of the pegmatites in which the fillings occur. Indeed, frac
turing and introduction of material into the fractures can take place at any
stage following consolidation of any part of a pegmatite mass, whether it is
well-zoned or not. Most of the earlier fracture fillings transect the outer
units of zoned pegmatites and merge into their cores or intermediate zones.
Well exposed examples that plainly cut across outer zones are the following:
several quartz veins in the Harding pegmatite, Taos County, N. Mex.; frac
ture fillings of massive quartz with giant perthite crystals in the McKinney
pegmatite, Mitchell County, N. C. and the Wheatley and Young pegmatites,
Bedford County, Va.; veins of quartz cutting the outer zones of the Kilton
pegmatite, Grafton County, N. H.; and the scheelite-wolframite quartz bodies
tin

of the Silver Hill pegmatite, Stevens County, Wash. (90). The Big
Boulder pegmatite, Larimer County, Colo., contains quartz fracture filling

or
long projection from the quartz core
35

It

feet wide.
to

feet and
is
2

from the perthite-quartz intermediate zone, and extends northward across the
quartz-albite-perthite-muscovite wall zone into the mica-schist country rock.
16-inch fracture filling quartz the Bryson
2-

the Swain pegmatite,

of

in

in
to
A

City district western North Carolina, projects about 40 feet northward from
of

core segment. coarse blocky perthite and

of

transects intermediate zones

It
a

blocky perthite-quartz pegmatite, wall and border zones oligoclase-quartz

of

muscovite pegmatite, and several inches country rock.

of

(Fig.

D.
The Hardesty Homestead pegmatite, Pennington County, S.
43), contains core segments from which fracture fillings quartz extend
of

across the enclosing zones. the fracture fillings strike N. 25° W.

of

Most
and dip about 45° WSW., but the largest, the pegmatite,
of

the north end

at

dips clearly
12

65° W. the core,

of

strikes north and cuts the outer

It

feet
albite-quartz-muscovite pegmatite, and 20 feet garnet-mica
of

of

the wall zone

schist, but merges southward into the central part the largest core segment.
of

The smaller fracture fillings are entirely within the pegmatite walls. Similar
examples occur the Case No. pegmatite, Portland, Conn., where quartz
in

the perthite-quartz core fills fractures that extend the pegma

of

of

the walls
to

Jarita, Treasure, Nambe,

In

the La deposits
of

tite. Hidden and other the

N.

Petaca district, Mex., fracture fillings quartz extend from cores and
of

core segments through the surrounding feldspathic pegmatite and far beyond
into the country rock. Other fracture fillings, chiefly apophyses quartz
of

perthite intermediate zones, contain scattered crystals and crystal clusters

perthite along and near their borders. Some traced along
be
of

of

these can
their strike into nonfeldspathic copper- and molybdenum-bearing quartz veins.
Some pegmatites contain fracture fillings that are part conformable
in

with zonal structures, and places may Layers

be

of

mistaken for zones.

in

quartz with accessory albite and ilmenite occur along the margins
of

the
Hidden Treasure pegmatite, Rio Arriba County, N. Mex., but similar material
 ExPLANATION

~
y
--- lº
2-
in

Pegmatiterich
sodicalbite
(Contains
localconcentrations

of
bookmuscovite,

Quartz-cleavelandite

:
pegmatite
ºratºvav
ºs or connecrºon

:
*
*** --4--- vetºv

-
-- Massivequartz

<
-
Coarse-grained
perthite-quartz
ſt ;
pegmatite

*
to

-
-- Fine- medium-grained
h
it

-
-- erthite-quar egmatite
t- peg
perihite-quartz
\- ~
S-

•
*.
x,
--- __-

-
--

-
* tºo

\
\
*- - --- Micacrousquartzite
-
--- --~~~~~ schist
and quartz-mica

-
\ N.

. :- º i }
- *\
-
Strikeand dip
- of foliation
_

_-
—r-------
-

75
-

Contact,showing dip;
‘.‘.
dashedwhereapproximate
‘.

…~"
- ------
.*

Contactbetween
º".

peernatiteunits
2^
**
- *** ~r
.º
of

Rim cut

-
*

---. **.
`--> Dump
o

lo 2O 3o 4o 5o FEET
d

--— m byL-A-Wright
conteur
intervatiotest •. º .."
Data-i----a tºwel 1944,
1946

FIGURE 54.-MAP OF EAST PART OF HIDDEN TREASURE PEGMATITE, RIO ARRIBA COUNTY, NEW MEXICO
showing MAssive ouartz THAT occurs as (A) core segments.(B) FRActure-Filling LAYER's Along THE PEGMATITE walls, AND (c) veins THAT ExtEND FROM
The Ptomatite into the country Rock
 INTERNAL STRUCTURE OF GRANITIC PEGMATITES. 75

ExPLANATION

x x x
Quartz

:*:
/*.”
~
Perthſteauartz

Q3’t
QDe

n-e
em
d&
zti
ra
B

e
r
FRAGMENI,of
Border zone
-.

"… vº.

–
*-,
,-
*-
**-
;
gneiss
Muscovitized

Monsongneiss

contact,dashedwhere
approximate

--

~~
.” ~~7
inferredcontact

Contactbetween
pegmatiteunits
i 4.

FEET
I1

l2

l6
lo

L Mappedby N. Cameron

E.
f

1945

FIGURE 55. SKETCH PLAN OF NORTH END OF CASE NO. PEGMATITE, PORTLAND, CONNECTICUT,
1

SHOWING QUARTZ FRACTURE FILLINGS ALONG CONTACT.

the pegmatite into the quartzite country rock

of

forms offshoots from the core

(Fig. 54). Similar fracture fillings quartz occur the Little Julia peg
of

in

matite, also Rio Arriba County. Many them are parallel with the
of
in

pegmatite walls, and appear have formed along contacts between zones.
to

At the Case No. deposit, Portland, Conn., layer massive quartz

of
a
1

separates the wall rock from the remainder pegmatite along one side
of

the
and partly around its north end (Fig. 55). This quartz layer has the shape
an incomplete zone, but actually true fracture filling, indicated by
as
of

is
a

the angular fragments pegmatite border zone that contains. At its south
of

It it

end the vein turns and cuts across the wall rock. must have been formed
along fracture that nearly coincided with the pegmatite-wall rock contact.
a

Zonelike fracture fillings are common some tabular pegmatites that

in

sheared during their emplacement and consolidation, and

or

were fractured
there are all gradations between zoned pegmatites with well-defined concord
ant fracture fillings and composite bodies which the units are indecipher
in

ably confused. The structures some tin-spodumene pegmatites

of

of

the
North Carolina Piedmont, the tin-bearing pegmatites Coosa County, Ala.,
of
76 E. N. CAMERON, R. H. JAHNS, A. H. McNAIR AND L. R. PAGE.

and several mica-bearing pegmatites in the Spruce Pine district of North

Carolina are much complicated by material that was injected along planes of
fracturing, shearing, and even flowage in partly consolidated pegmatite. In
contrast to these are the few pegmatites in which a wall zone encloses or
partly encloses a fracture-filling body. An excellent example is the large
Buckhorn pegmatite, Larimer County, Colo. (Fig. 56), which was fractured
after consolidation of the quartz-microcline-albite muscovite wall zone. The
fracturing appears to have permitted escape of pegmatite solutions at the east
end of the deposit, where the quartz-albite-muscovite pegmatite of the outer
intermediate zone is in contact with the country rock. Quartz-cleavelandite
spodumene pegmatite forms the central unit near the east end of the body,
and is partly enclosed by quartz-cleavelandite pegmatite, best developed farther
west. Similar zoned fracture fillings are common in the Black Hills.
Composition and Internal Structure.—Quartz is by far the most abundant
and widespread mineral in fracture fillings. Cleavelandite, sugary albite,
perthite or microcline, muscovite, and lepidolite are locally abundant, and

all
accessory constituents comprise virtually accessory species that occur

in
pegmatites. They include most minerals that are indigenous zones, espe

to
cially inner zones, those generally found
as

as

well replacement bodies.

in
The most common fracture fillings consist entirely quartz. Such bodies

of
are numerous all districts but are particularly well developed the Ruggles
in

in
H.
N.

pegmatite, Grafton, Among the many examples simple frac

of
other
ture fillings are the continuous discontinuous, tabular bodies tourmaline,
or

of
granite, lepidolite, cleavelandite,
or

muscovite that cut certain pegmatites

in
thickness, and few exceed
or

various districts. Most are few inches

in

less
a

length.
10

in

feet
Extreme examples simple fracture fillings are some thin blades
of

of
biotite, muscovite, both, many feet long.
or

to

few inches Biotite blades

a

the fractured massive quartz several pegmatites

of

are abundant
in

in
the
the Big Flint Jackson County, N. They also
C.
as

southeastern states, such

in

occur perthite-quartz pegmatite the Byard Benfield mine, Avery County,

in

in

N. C., the Tip Top mine Custer County, D., and

S.

the Pattuck
in

in

in
N.

Alexandria, H. Biotite crystals 20 feet long,

as

as

mine
in

much feet
8

wide, and inches thick have been formed along fluted fractures cutting
3

the pegmatites quarries, Topsham,

of

the wall zones the No. and No.

In in

2
1

Me. (108a). some places later movement has separated the biotite crys
talsalong parting planes, forming parallel strips. Similar fracture fillings
muscovite, intergrown biotite and muscovite, occur pegmatites
or
of

of

in

of
by

the fractures occupied mica are oriented nor

of

various districts. Some

nearly walls, and may
be
or

to

mal normal pegmatite contraction features

formed during cooling however,
be

pegmatites. emphasized,
of

should
It

H.

many pegmatites, such the Blister mine, Cheshire, County, N.

as

that
in

and the Keyes No. mine Grafton County, N. H., blades

of

mica oriented
1

perpendicular contacts are not fracture fillings, but instead appear

to
to

have
been formed contemporaneously with the enclosing pegmatite.
Fracture fillings that consist more minerals are very common.
or
of

two
Many are simple, with scattered crystals
or

more accessory minerals

of

one
 INTERNAL STRUCTURE OF GRANITIC PEGMATITES. 77

goºdeºrºwe tºokwºtº
Zone
soroiº rowe

***** - -
pracruze unrerºgenate urg
rº-crurº
*re-Lava zowe **-i-tra

fracture.
filling

Fracrurºe
fºllºwg

A.—Thickfracture fillingthatextends frominnerzones of pegmatiteacrosswallandborderzonesinto

countryrock.
B.—Thinf racture fillingst hatw developed
ere duringf ormation ofdiscontinuous
intermediate
zoneand
pod-like
coreofpegmatite.
C.–Fracturefillingsintarge, irregular
pegmatitebody.Vein-likemass atupperrightevidently
isa simple
offshootfromthecore, whereastheearlier fillingatlower
fracture rightwasformedduringdevelop
mentofthecore andinner intermediate
zone

ExPLANATION
Pegmatite-waii
rockcontact

o zo 40 tºo 80 Tºofeet

FIGURE57— IDEALIZED PLANS OF PEGMATITES,SHOWINGTYPICAL RELATIONSOF LAYERED FRACTURE FILLINGS

THAT CAN BE TRACED INTO ZONES

in quartz. Beryl, for example, occurs with scattered crystals of microcline

and albite in tabular fracture fillings of quartz at the Gotta-Walden mine,
Portland, Conn. Other fracture fillings contain two or more minerals in
rather even proportions. The Woodward pegmatite, in Orford, N. H., is
cut by a thin, well-defined body of muscovite and quartz in which the mica
books extend from wall to wall and are oriented normal or nearly normal to
the walls. The fracture filling extends from the footwall zone through the
core of the deposit (Fig. 26). A tabular fracture filling of quartz, microcline,
and plagioclase, with scattered crystals of beryl and books of muscovite, occurs
in the Burgess pegmatite, N. H. Similar bodies have been prospected for
mica at several other places in that state and in Connecticut. Still other
fracture fillings, like the thick quartz-albite-sericite-gadolinite-wolframite veins
in several pegmatites of the Cottonwood district, Mohave County, Ariz., are
very complex in mineralogy and structure.
 3.

EXPLANATION

2
&
Perthite-rich pegmatite
-
Nº.

: / 1
Perthite-quartz pegmatite

*
**
**
•
*

t
>

...

º
--

Albite-quartz pegmatite

.
..
W

v.
Quartz-mica schist

*...
- -
Blades or

-
- -- ~~

P*
afuscovere and efort re.
rawfrac rures
5

O
L.
.
R.

lo 2O FEET Geologyby Page

1946

–
FIGURE 58. EAST-WEST SECTION THROUGH HELEN BERYL PEGMATITE. CUSTER COUNTY.
SOUTH DAKOTA, SHOWING RELATION OF FRACTURE FILLING TO ZONES.
 INTERNAL STRUCTURE OF GRANITIC PEGMATITES. 79

Many polymineralic fracture fillings are layered parallel with their walls,
and some are analogous to zoned pegmatite bodies. The origin of layering
in the fillings that can be traced into zones probably is similar to that of the
associated zones, as the layers themselves are merely extensions of the zones
into the fractures (Fig. 57). The number of layers in a given fracture filling
of this type is equal to or less than the number of zones enclosed by the
innermost zone transected by such a fracture filling. Zoned fracture fillings
of this kind are known in the Black Hills region of South Dakota, in the peg
matite areas of northern New Mexico, and in a few pegmatites in the south
eastern states, the Middletown district of Connecticut, and in New Hampshire.
A fracture filling of perthite-quartz pegmatite occurs within the wall zone
of the Helen Beryl pegmatite, Custer County, S. D. (Fig. 58). It is 120
feet long in a direction normal to the section shown in the figure. The outer
part of this unit and the outer 6 feet of the intermediate zone with which it
is probably connected contain blades of muscovite and biotite along fractures
oriented normal to the contacts between pegmatite units. Massive quartz
forms a core in the wider parts of this body; the core is not shown in the
-
figure.
The Soda Spar pegmatite, Pennington County, S. D., is a large lenticu
lar mass that trends north. Near its southern end is a zoned fracture filling
at least 150 feet long and as much as 25 feet thick. It strikes N. 45° E. and
dips 10° to 75° N.W. (Fig. 20). This fracture filling connects with what is
probably an inner spodumene-bearing zone of the main pegmatite body, which
is poorly exposed in a nearby larger cut.
The Pleasant Valley pegmatite in the Custer district, S. D., is a large
vertical body that strikes N. 80° E. It consists of fine- to medium-grained
albite and quartz, with scattered perthite crystals 3 to 12 inches long, musco
vite, and tourmaline. A sharply curved fracture filling, 15 to 25 feet thick,
dips about 50° N.E. near the center of the main mass (Fig. 59). It consists
of a perthite-albite-quartz outer unit and an inner unit of perthite-quartz
pegmatite. Tourmaline, muscovite, and beryl occur in the outer unit and
are interstitial to the perthite crystals in the core, where they are associated
with columbite-tantalite and phosphate minerals. Distinct fractures form the
footwall and parts of the hanging wall in the western part of the body, which
shows evidences of small-scale replacement of the enclosing pegmatite. This
large fracture filling does not connect with any known zone in the host peg
all

matite, and for practical purposes can regarded

be

as

separate zoned
of a
60

Figures layered
61

pegmatite. and show two other examples fracture

fillings the pegmatites South Dakota. Clear-cut relations between peg
in

in

matite zones and the layers 26-inch fracture filling were exposed
4-
in

to
a

the main Harding quarry, Taos County, N. Mex.

A in

of

the south face

in

1943
central quartz layer the fracture filling connected with nearly flatlying,
in

quartz pegmatite dike, and the

of

outer intermediate zone massive

in

the
flanking layers partly albitized quartz-perthite-muscovite-beryl pegmatite
of

connected with the wall zone (Fig. 62). podlike layered fracture filling
A

the Western pegmatite Middletown, Conn., shown Figure 63.

in

in

in
is
80 E. N. CAMERON, R. H. JAHNS, A. H. McNAIR AND L. R. PAGE.

-
ExPLANATION
---
Perthite-quartz
pegmatite
A B
section ALongLINEA-B
*- >
…v.
7 - Perthite-albite-quartz
pegmatite

Geologyin cut is resºrored

a-
‘. * *
Albite-quartzpegmatite
-
5o
, º?!",3°3:2 ºf
in east ro roeosºe",
- * n

- -- Quartz-mica
schist
toro 15roor snarr

Mapped
byL.R.Page
1946
FIGURE 59. PLEASANT WALLEY PEGMATITE. A ZONED FRACTURE-FILLING MASS
In ALBITE-QUARTZ PEGMATITE. CUSTER COUNTY. SOUTH DAKOTA

The layering in many other fracture fillings is not analogous to zoning,

but is the result of repeated fissuring and deposition of new material. Cross
cutting structures on a very small scale are the best means for identification
the peg
all

of such layers. The fracture fillings commonly transect most or

matite zones, and the sequence layers does not necessarily correspond
of

in

mineralogy common wall

or

the sequence pegmatite zones.

of

structure
to

sequence fillings the Petaca pegmatites

of

of

to-center the fracture northern

in

New Mexico, for example, (a) quartz, (b) smoky quartz and albite, (c)
is

quartz, (d) quartz, (e) smoky quartz, whereas the general zone
or

albite
sequence involves microcline, quartz, and little albite-oligoclase. The border
a

many pegmatites
of

and wall zones the southeastern states contain much

in

fracture-controlled quartz and muscovite. Small books the mica generally

of
1/3

quartz layers many deposits

In

occur inch more than inches thick.

in

to

this type the layers are parallel with the pegmatite walls, and thus the
of

invaded zones themselves superficially resemble layered fracture fillings.

 EXPLANATION

&
J
lº&
Vzº

E.
Cleavelandite Quartz-albite
muscovite pegmatite

x
x
*x
*x
Quartz Yellow muscovite

o
1
2
4

3
FEET
R.
L.

Mapped by Page

FIGURE 6O-LAYERED FRACTURE-FILLING UNIT IN QUARTZ-ALBITE-MUSCOVITE PEGMATITE,

NEW YORK MINE, CUSTER COUNTY, SOUTH DAKOTA.

2:
 INTERNAL STRUCTURE OF GRANITIC PEGMATITES. 83

ExPLANATION

Quartz-lath
spodunene
pegmatite

Quartz-perthite-rruscovite.
beryl-apatite
pegmatite,
partially
albitized

Lº–
Quartz-perthite
pegmatite.
muscovite
partially
albitized

Hornblende-epidote
schist

Pegmatite-wall
rock
contact

-
contact
between
pegrinatite
units
0 1 2 3 4. ld feet
Mapped
byR.H.Jahns
July,1943

FIGURE 62. MAP of A PART OF VERTICAL FACE, LOOKING SOUTH NEAR WEST END OF MAIN QUARRY.
HARDING MINE, TAOS COUNTY. NEW MEXICO
wore FELArrows BETween tave Red FFA crure fºllºwg and zones in Hanging-wall. PART OF PEGama
TtTE Body,
which is rveARLY Horizon ral and is aBouf 60 FEET THuck a 7 rºws PotNT

Where deposition of new material followed several periods of fracturing, as

in the McKinney pegmatite in Mitchell County, N. C., the structure of the
units is intricate and complex. Further complexity is present wherever the
zones themselves were gneissic or layered.
A few pegmatites contain fracture fillings of aplite. A W4- to 4-inch albite
quartz aplite dike fills a longitudinal fracture in the Hyatt pegmatite, Larimer
County, Colo. Its dip appears to be slightly less steep than that of the pegma
tite body. It transects a perthite-rich core and a quartz-albite-muscovite
perthite intermediate zone, and appears to be genetically related to the pegma
tite. A parallel arrangement of mica flakes within 94 inch of the dike walls
suggests flow structure. Irregular masses of oligoclase-quartz-muscovite
garnet aplite in the McKinney mine transect coarse-grained oligoclase-quartz
microcline pegmatite, but are themselves cut by later albite-quartz-muscovite
pegmatite. Dikes of fine-grained granodiorite occur in several pegmatites of
the Franklin-Sylva district, N. C., and such rock occupies the central parts of
composite intrusives at the Moss, McCrary, and Upper Big Ridge mines. The
pegmatite and granodiorite appear to be genetically related (41).

Replacement Bodies.

General Features.—The literature on pegmatites contains numerous refer

ences to minerals and mineral aggregates of replacement origin, both in the
 INTERNAL STRUCTURE OF GRANITIC PEGMATITES. 83

ExPLANATION

Quartz-lath
spodunene
pegmatite

Quartz-perthite-rruscovite.
beryl-apatite
pegmatite,
partially
albitized

Lº–
Quartz-perthite
pegmatite.
muscovite
partially
albitized

Hornblende-epidote
schist

Pegmatite-wall
rock
contact

-
contact
between
pegrinatite
units
0 1 2 3 4. ld feet
Mapped
byR.H.Jahns
July,1943

FIGURE 62. MAP of A PART OF VERTICAL FACE, LOOKING SOUTH NEAR WEST END OF MAIN QUARRY.
HARDING MINE, TAOS COUNTY. NEW MEXICO
wore FELArrows BETween tave Red FFA crure fºllºwg and zones in Hanging-wall. PART OF PEGama
TtTE Body,
which is rveARLY Horizon ral and is aBouf 60 FEET THuck a 7 rºws PotNT

Where deposition of new material followed several periods of fracturing, as

in the McKinney pegmatite in Mitchell County, N. C., the structure of the
units is intricate and complex. Further complexity is present wherever the
zones themselves were gneissic or layered.
A few pegmatites contain fracture fillings of aplite. A W4- to 4-inch albite
quartz aplite dike fills a longitudinal fracture in the Hyatt pegmatite, Larimer
County, Colo. Its dip appears to be slightly less steep than that of the pegma
tite body. It transects a perthite-rich core and a quartz-albite-muscovite
perthite intermediate zone, and appears to be genetically related to the pegma
tite. A parallel arrangement of mica flakes within 94 inch of the dike walls
suggests flow structure. Irregular masses of oligoclase-quartz-muscovite
garnet aplite in the McKinney mine transect coarse-grained oligoclase-quartz
microcline pegmatite, but are themselves cut by later albite-quartz-muscovite
pegmatite. Dikes of fine-grained granodiorite occur in several pegmatites of
the Franklin-Sylva district, N. C., and such rock occupies the central parts of
composite intrusives at the Moss, McCrary, and Upper Big Ridge mines. The
pegmatite and granodiorite appear to be genetically related (41).

Replacement Bodies.

General Features.—The literature on pegmatites contains numerous refer

ences to minerals and mineral aggregates of replacement origin, both in the
84 E. N. CAMERON, R. H. JAHNS, A. H. McNAIR AND L. R. PAGE.

United States and other countries. The investigations of Björlykke, Derry,

Gevers, Hess, Landes, and Schaller are particularly well known, and some
of the pegmatite units in southern Norway, central Maine, southern California,
and other areas have become classic examples of bodies formed at the expense
of previously consolidated pegmatite. The recent investigations by the
writers and their colleagues have further demonstrated the widespread occur
rence of such units. In addition, mapping and detailed examination have

EXPLANATION

x
Nº N

Quartz-pegmatite
(Linesshowdirection
of banding)

s, ~ w
*- | -
Plagioclase-muscovite
quartz-beryl
pegmatite

Plagioclase-quartz-perthite
muscovite-pegmatite

o 1 2 FEET

MappedbyE. N.Cameron
1945
FIGURE 63.- PLAN OF PODLIKE LAYERED FRACTURE-FILLING
IN WESTERN PEGMATITE, MIDDLETOWN, CONNECTICUT

shown that units of replacement origin rarely have the same structure as
zones and fracture fillings, and that the variation in the proportion of replace
ment material in bodies classified as replacement units is very great.
Replacement bodies, as described and discussed in the following pages,
are those lithologic and structural units formed at the expense of pre-existing
pegmatite. In a given pegmatite a replacement body may be a product of
solutions derived from another part of the same pegmatite, or a product of
solutions from a source outside the pegmatite. “Reaction replacement,” in
 INTERNAL STRUCTURE OF GRANITIC PEGMATITES. 85

volving corrosion, veining, and replacement of mineral grains during consoli

dation of a pegmatite zone, is here contrasted with the later replacement that
occurs after formation of the zone. Most preconsolidation replacement
develops small-scale (though commonly widespread) pegmatite features.
These are not always readily distinguished from postconsolidation features,
but the distinction seems well worth making, as it is of great genetic, structural,
and economic significance. The writers therefore apply the term “replace
ment body” only to pegmatite units formed by replacement at a stage follow
ing the complete crystallization of the parts of the pegmatite body affected
by replacement. The processes of formation thus would correspond in time
to the “intermediate- and low-temperature hydrothermal” stage and to at
least the later part of the “deuteric” or “high-temperature hydrothermal”
stage of Shand (109).
Replacement units are widespread, abundant, and commonly large in the
zoned pegmatites of the Petaca district of northern New Mexico. In the
Black Hills of South Dakota replacement bodies of large size occur in some
pegmatites, particularly those that have been most fully described in the
literature, and small replacement bodies are present in many other pegma
tites. Such units are quantitatively insignificant, however, in many pegma
tites in New Mexico and South Dakota, as well as in most of those in the
southeastern states. The only notable exceptions in the southeast are sev
eral pegmatites in the Virginia Piedmont, in which replacement units are
conspicuous. In New England, replacement bodies are prominent in some
of the pegmatites studied during the war, but in general are not quantitatively
important.
The development of replacement bodies can be guided by fractures, by
zones, by contacts between pegmatite and wall rock, or by any other structural
or lithologic element within a pegmatite mass. Replacement bodies range
from thin, discontinuous veinlets to nearly complete pseudomorphs of zones
or zone groups several tens of feet thick and more than 500 feet long. Some
are only scattered clusters of crystals along contacts between earlier minerals
and may be difficult to distinguish from typical reaction products formed prior
to consolidation. Others are tabular, veinlike masses, pod or kidney-shaped
bodies, straight or curving lenses, sheetlike masses, or irregular units, and
still others are spectacular lobate or cauliflowerlike aggregates with well
defined radial structure (Fig. 64). None of these forms, of course, is in
itself a criterion for the origin of a given unit by replacement.
In their simplest form, replacement units are enlargements of fracture
all

fillings, and gradations exist between fracture fillings with slightly corroded
the original walls.
no

walls and fracture-controlled masses that show

of

traces
by

by

The ratio replacement filling

of

of

material formed material formed

to
all

open spaces these units probably varies within wide limits.

in

The distribution fracture-controlled replacement bodies with respect

of

to
its

body and that previously

to

the pegmatite
of

the form zones similar

is

described for fracture fillings. The more complex bodies, generally related
to

intersecting fractures fractures, are more equidimensional than

or

of

sets
sheetlike, and most extend across the boundaries between two more adjacent
or
86

ºf
$º
*ū

§§
N
§ºlº,
º,
lº. ".

{
Tºº
\\
\\\\
\\\\
N
E. N. CAMERON, R. H. JAHNS, A. H. McNAIR AND L. R. PAGE.

lºº
i. ..&
w

|
x

. .

ſº. ſº
.

//tx v \! X{^2
t
.
*\ .
-

>.
-

!||

\
|

2: →
--

#/º,º
Y
–

; *
:

y
x
x

*
_-
1–
--"

x
x

-
-
ExPLANATION

.*.
º:
º:
ſº
monazite

quartz
Massive
…-
--
perthite
Giant

N
* x
x.

W. x.

r.
..º.
& }| ſ?
O 6 12 18incries rºspped
tº,ſºH.Jahr's
nºvernber
1944

FIGURE 64 – SPHEROIDAL “BURSTS” OF COARSE-GRAINED CLEAVELANDITE IN

PERTHITE-QUARTZ PEGMATITE OF GIANT TEXTURE, PORCUPINE STOPE, KIAWA MINE,
- RIO ARRIBA COUNTY, NEW MEXICO

zones. Replacement units formed by selective replacement of zones or parts

of zones conform to zonal structures, and many of these can be treated struc
turally as additional zones. Still others are formed by selective replacement
of specific minerals in the zones. If replacement is selective for specific
minerals, the stage at which a unit ceases to be a zone and becomes a replace
ment body may be difficult to define. Nearly perfect pseudomorphs of zones
have been recognized in a few pegmatites where large-scale replacement was
virtually restricted to a single unit. Many replacement bodies are plainly
crosscutting. Others are broadly concordant, but transect zone boundaries in
detail. A few, though concordant so far as can be observed in any one
place, are demonstrably discordant in their over-all distribution.
The distribution of most replacement units is systematic, not only within
single pegmatites, but within certain individual areas and districts as well.
Development of such units generally is controlled wholly or in part by sets
of fractures, by fractures related to zonal patterns in a definite way, by differ
ences in zonal lithologies, or by combinations of these or other features. Pipe
like or troughlike masses of cleavelandite, quartz, muscovite, and accessory
minerals in the Petaca district, N. Mex. (Fig. 65), plunge west-northwest to
west-southwest in accord with the attitudes of the pegmatite zones, the pegma
tite bodies themselves, and linear structures in the wall rock. This remark
ably consistent relation is of great potential value if applied to further develop
ment and mining of these deposits. Replacement in a few pegmatites, on the
other hand, is limited to a single zone but does not appear to be related to any
 INTERNAL STRUCTURE OF GRANITIC PEGMATITES. 87

specific structural or mineralogic feature. In other deposits replacement

units appear to follow a given structure on one exposed surface, but plainly
transect the structure in other exposures or in over-all distribution.

DETA. LED skETCH show in G PROGRESSION

FROM SIMPLE FRACTURE-contRol-LED REPLACE
MENT “veins” (roe) TO LARGE. IRREGULAR
MAsses of REPLACEMENT origin (Borrow)

*—
21/ TYPICAL Pops. LENses. AND striNGERs of
REFLACEMENT ORIGIN. some ARE DiscoR.
D.A.N.T.
BUT Most ConForm To THE Zona L
st Ructure
O 1o 20FEET

FIGURE 65— RELATIONS OF REPLACEMENT BODIES (STIPPLED) TO HOST PEGMATITE

Quartz, sodic albite, and muscovite are the most common constituents of
pegmatite replacement units. Much of the albite occurs as cleavelandite, the
remainder as fine- to medium-grained crystalline aggregates. Most of the
all

other common pegmatite minerals and nearly

as

the rare species occur

replacement bodies. not always possible
to

determine
in

It

accessories
is

replacement and which are left over from

of

which were formed

at

the time
the pre-existing rock. Layering common but varies widely scale, dis
in
is

tribution, and clarity. Frequently helpful tracing the development

of
in
of is
it

occurs. Many the layers can

be

the rock which ascribed repeated

in

to
it

fissuring and deposition new material, involving some reaction with earlier
of

Other layers appear diffusion effects, especially where the

be
to

material.
replaced material
as

rather homogeneous. Diffusion has been suggested

is

possible mode origin for the thin, wavy layers garnets many
of

of

of

the
in

lithium-bearing pegmatites Diego County, (Schaller, W. T.,

of

San Calif.
personal communication, 1944; 75). Still other layering represents struc
88 E. N. CAMERON, R. H. JAHNS, A. H. McNAIR AND L. R. PAGE.

tures inherited from the replaced rock. Most layers are developed in units
that originally contained distinct layerlike mineral segregations, uniformly
oriented platy minerals, or abundant shreds and wisps of partly digested wall
rock (Fig. 66).

A -
,'' A(------------------
2 - . . . x
. .
--. - .
" - --
.–––
.
:
. .“...
- -- "
.

-- - - -7.
_x
x ll X → x +
--------------- - -
- x
- - -Y x
~
-x
|
--
x
* |
+
x . . * ~ iſ _
-- -
x

–– ------- - ~
- - - -
7 x // w -- -

* =
~- -* .
// . . . .”
- -- - - -* " -
& Z * x -- ×
* -- ~ ~
—a- - - - - x
X
-
--- x SS ------ - -- -"—-------- x
-

--
|| > || x < T
~x"
× = - 2 :
X x – –
//
— = -
-
|| >
-
'i
- -** ×
~ // x
-- }> 2 –--"––
x X
2 || -
× - - - - X

-
z/ x
* L -—-—- -
×
-
24 *—— - --> --_ x ×
//
< /*
//
* * \\ × ^ = ~, x }

-
O 1 2 FEET

FIGURE 66. CRUDE LAYERING CAUSED BY ALMOST WHOLLY DIGESTED

WISPS OF MICA SCHIST IN REPLACEMENT BODY OF CLEAVELANDITE
MUSCOVITE PEGMATITE, FOOTWALL STOPE IN WHITE DEPOSIT,
RIO ARRIBA COUNTY. NEW MEXICO

Recognition of Replacement Bodies.—Replacement bodies are recognized

by study and comparison of structures, textures, and mineralogy in various
parts of a pegmatite. From these features, changes in mineralogy and bulk
composition are inferred. The most easily recognized replacement bodies are
those that are discordant to the structure of zones and fracture fillings, and
have structures, textures, and minerals obviously inherited from adjacent
rock of markedly different bulk composition. Replacement bodies concordant
with other structural units, especially zones, may be difficult to recognize, and
in some pegmatites the origin of such bodies is indicated only by similarities
to other bodies that are not concordant. Discordance alone is not a criterion
of replacement, as most fracture fillings are discordant; the problem of dis
tinguishing between fracture fillings and replacement bodies is complicated by
the existence of bodies formed partly by fracture filling and partly by replace
ment of the walls of fractures.
. Proof that a given unit is a replacement body, as defined in this report,
consists of satisfactory evidence (1) that the minerals composing it have been
formed, at least in large part, at the expense of pre-existing pegmatite, and
(2) that the material that has been replaced was completely crystallized before
replacement began. The first is usually far easier to establish than the
second.
 INTERNAL STRUCTURE OF GRANITIC PEGMATITES. 89

Criteria for replacement have been discussed repeatedly in the literature

(e.g., 5). Only a brief review of criteria used or considered during the
wartime investigations of pegmatites is required in the present paper. The
only conclusive evidence of replacement is partial or complete pseudomorphism
of structures, textures, and crystal forms. Pegmatites show a wide range of
pseudomorphs, from those of structural features such as platy orientation of
minerals, zone boundaries, layering and other planar structures in zones, to
crystal forms and cleavage patterns of minerals. Networks of veinlets with
unmatched, irregular walls are satisfactory evidence, particularly if various
stages of the development of the networks are clearly shown. Occurrence of
one mineral along structural weaknesses in another, if not due to unmixing
and if not simple fracture filling, is useful. “Corrosion” and “embayment”

all
of one mineral by another are poor criteria of replacement. Nearly illus
trations that offer proof replacement, other than pseudomorphism, are
of

merely small-scale examples

of

of
networks veinlets with unmatched walls.
An additional criterion widely used unvarying association

of
mineral with
is

a
by
The difficulty
to

other minerals known have been formed replacement.

applying this criterion many pegmatites exposures are not suffi
in

that
in
is

ciently complete establish contancy

of

association.
to

Proof that the host rock was completely solid

at
the time replacement

a
body was formed usually consists appreciable time interval
an
of

evidence that
elapsed between development the host rock and development the replace
of

of
ment body. Three general types
of

criteria merit consideration:

age.
of

Direct calculations
3. 2. 1.

structures, textures, and minerals.

of

Transection
Pseudomorphism structures, textures, and minerals.
of

by
age have been made many areas, chiefly
of

Direct determinations
in

radio-active minerals. Re
of

means lead-uranium or lead-thorium ratios

in

careful and critical analysis differ markedly, for various pegmatites

of

sults
that appear clearly related genetically, for different parts single peg
be

of
to

bodies, parts single crystals.

to of

matite and even for different mineral Some

the large discrepancies can
be
of

different methods,
of

ascribed the use

the analysis different minerals (1, 11, 32). Discrepancies age
of

others
to

in

determinations within single pegmatites have been regarded excellent evi

as
by

Hess and Wells (43, pp. 19–21,

or

more stages replacement

of

of

dence one
25–26) and others, but some investigators have taken the opposite view. Ac
cording Ellsworth (21), for example, different analytical results cal
on
to

ciosamarskite from Ontario “show conclusively that such minerals may some
no

geological age indicators.”

be

as
of

times value whatever

Regardless interpretation, seems evident that present means
of

of

direct
it

age determination cannot used widely determining the relative ages

be

of
in

pegmatite units. Calculations can made only for units that contain radio
be

active minerals suitable for analysis, and thus far the analyses required are
excessively time-consuming and costly.
by

or

age ordinarily established

of

Difference occurrence mineral

in

is

group
or
of

of

minerals bodies that crosscut structures textures other

in
90 E. N. CAMERON, R. H. JAHNS, A. H. McNAIR AND L. R. PAGE.

mineral assemblages. In some pegmatites, however, the discordance of re

placement bodies to zone boundaries and other structural feature is so slight
or on so large a scale that it may not be recognized in advance of detailed
mapping (Fig. 67). The nature of the structural features that have con
trolled a replacement body will commonly indicate whether or not the host
pegmatite was solid at the time it was replaced. If a replacement unit cuts
across two or more successively formed units of the pegmatite, and if studies
of textures indicate that the transected units were of similar physical con
dition at the time of deformation, there is strong likelihood that both were
solid at the time the replacement body was formed. If the replacement body
was controlled by fractures, the nature of the fractures and the textural and
structural features of the walls must be relied upon to indicate whether frac
turing took place in solid rock or in rock only partly crystallized.
Pseudomorphism may provide useful evidence. If a replacement body
shows pseudomorphism of the whole fabric of the host rock, the latter must
have been solid at the time of replacement.
Borderline cases undoubtedly occur. It is quite conceivable that at the
time of development of an inner zone, solutions may escape outward and cause
the development of bodies extending across the outer zones. Inward these
bodies might well merge imperceptibly with the inner zone. Few pegmatites
are sufficiently well exposed to permit discovery of the relationships of such
bodies to inner zones.
The Giant-Volney pegmatite at Tinton, S. D., strikingly illustrates diffi
culties involved in drawing a sharp distinction between zones and replacement
bodies. This pegmatite contains bodies of fine-grained spodumene and
quartz as much as 360 feet in surface length, 40 feet in thickness, and at
least 150 feet in dip length. These bodies have been formed at the expense
of a gneissic intermediate zone composed of fine-grained albite and small
lenses of quartz. The gneissic structure is preserved except where spodu
mene forms 75 percent or more of the rock. Tiny veinlets of spodumene
follow minute cross-fractures that are characteristic of the quartz lenses in
the albite-quartz pegmatite. Locally, spodumene and quartz have developed
in the coarser, gneissic plagioclase-quartz-muscovite zone outside the quartz
albite zone. The gneissic structure of the outer zone is preserved in the
material formed by replacement, and relict muscovite, quartz, plagioclase, and
cassiterite are not uncommon in the material. Following formation of the
quartz-spodumene units, the quartz-spodumene rock appears to have been
replaced locally by rounded masses of microcline and accessory quartz.
These bodies are 20 feet or more in length and apparently are satellitic to
the microcline-quartz core. They consist of single crystals cut by small quartz
lenses and masses that are devoid of gneissic structure. The microcline
abruptly truncates the gneissic structure of the spodumene-bearing rocks, and
lie

all

angles the pegmatite.

of

individual masses the structure

at

to

The quartz-spodumene bodies formed the outer plagioclase-quartz-mus

in

the expense fine-grained quartz-albite pegmatite are

of

covite zone and

at

clearly replacement bodies this paper; and the microcline-quartz

as

in

defined
bodies fulfill the two basic qualifications here defined,
as

replacement bodies
of
 INTERNAL STRUCTURE OF GRANITIC PEGMATITES. 91

in that they appear to have formed by replacement of pre-existing solid peg

matite. They are unusual, however, in that this development is intimately
related to, and to a considerable extent part of, the development of the zonal
structure of the pegmatite.
Fracture-Controlled Replacement Bodies.—Fracture-controlled replace
ment bodies are a common feature of many pegmatites, particularly those
containing sodic albite with or without lithium minerals. These bodies range
in size from tiny veinlets to tabular bodies several feet thick and tens of feet
long, but most are too small to be shown on maps. The Globe and many
other pegmatites in Rio Arriba County, N. Mex., contain numerous fracture
controlled replacement bodies. White, flesh-colored, and brick-red microcline
has been replaced along fractures and cleavage planes by both sugary-textured
albite and coarse-grained platy albite (cleavelandite). The replacement
bodies range from tiny, irregular veinlets to large cleavage-controlled net
works (Fig. 67). Similar albite veinlets cut the gray to deep blue-green
perthite of the intermediate zone and core of the Morefield pegmatite, Amelia
County, Va. -

In the Devil's Hole pegmatite, Fremont County, Colo., there are numerous
fracture-controlled replacement bodies composed of coarse green “wedge-A”
muscovite bodies with outer fringes of plagioclase. They transect the quartz
perthite pegmatite exposed in the main open cut (Fig. 69). The fractures
are occupied by mica books with cleavage parallel to the fractures. In the
replacement bodies adjacent to the fractures, the mica books have cleavages
normal to the fracture surfaces. Muscovite apparently grew outward in both
directions from some fractures, in one direction from others, in still others
merely filled the fracture itself. The bodies are as much as 6 feet wide and
20 feet long. Similar fracture-controlled replacement bodies of muscovite
occur in many perthite-quartz zones of pegmatites in the Black Hills region,
and are exceptionally well exposed in the White Elephant mine, Custer
County.
The Ruby and Barney pegmatite, Grafton, N. H. (Fig. 21) contains a
muscovite-rich unit of quartz and plagioclase with accessory perthite, apatite,
and tourmaline. The unit is 2 to 11 feet thick and 450 feet long and lies
along the haging wall of a fault. One edge terminates abruptly at the fault,
where the mica books show no sign of deformation. At the other edge the
unit grades into pegmatite containing large crystals of perthite, medium
grained quartz, plagioclase, muscovite and biotite. The persistence of the
mica-rich unit along the fault and the absence of deformed muscovite books
strongly suggest that the book mica formed by replacement after consolidation
and faulting of earlier formed pegmatite.
Tourmaline layers parallel to muscovite-coated fractures are not uncom
mon in the pegmatites of South Dakota. Such tourmaline-rich bands occur
as much as 6 to 12 inches outward from the fracture-filling bodies in the
Pleasant Valley pegmatite, Custer County (Fig. 59). Tourmaline appears
to be the only mineral introduced into the pegmatite enclosing the fracture
fillings.
ECONOMIC
- -- -
GEOLOGY, Mon.
-
-- - -
-
2
-
CAMERON, et al, Plate 5

- - -

FIG. 69. Fracture-controlled

- - -
replacement plagioclase and wedge mus
covite, Devil's Hole pegmatite, Fremont Co., Colo. Top: Main quarry,
looking north. Replacement body behind men dips to right. Bottom: Close-up
of same exposure, showing muscovite books and layers of mica along the
fractures.
ECONOMIC GEOLOGY, Mon. 2 CAMERON, et al, Plate 6
º

Top: Albitized microcline-quartz wall zone (white, center) between micace

ous quartzite (left) and massive quartz core (right), stope near end of No.
2 adit. Bottom: Festoon-like layers of smoky quartz (dark) and coarse
cleavelandite (light), No. 1 adit. Most of face is massive quartz (gray).
Albitized wall zone mined at left and above.
92 E. N. CAMERON, R. H. JAHNS, A. H. McNAIR AND L. R. PAGE.

Fracture-controlled replacement bodies containing beryl occur in certain

pegmatites in South Dakota, New Mexico, and New England. Thus, the
Harding pegmatite, Taos County, N. Mex., contains several replacement
units that consist of quartz, cleavelandite, and beryl, and form stockworks in
massive quartz (Fig. 70). Some of the bodies exposed on the quarry wall
are crudely layered, with alternating irregular bands of smoky quartz, quartz
with pink beryl, and white cleavelandite. Inner layers transect outer layers
in detail; hence layering is interpreted as the result of repeated fracturing
and introduction of new material. The general sequence of the layering is
(1) albite, (2) quartz, (3) quartz and albite, (4) smoky quartz, (5) quartz
and beryl, (6) albite, and (7) smoky quartz.

ExPLANATION

sº
Smokyquartz

* -
Coarse-grained
cleaveland
ite
x2.
F33
Quartz-beryl
pegmatite
** *

Quartz-cleavelandite
pesmatte
x -
x --
Massivequartz

*—-1–1—
0 3 6 9 12inchEs MappedbyR.H.Jahns
November1942

FIGURE 7O.—DETAILED MAP OF SMALL FRACTURE.CONTROLLED REPLACEMENT BODIES, EAST END

OF MAIN QUARRY. HARDING MINE, TAOS COUNTY, NEW MEXICO

Some pegmatites contain replacement bodies that have tabular shapes

suggesting development along fractures, but whatever fractures may have
been involved have been destroyed during replacement. Tabular aggregates
of muscovite similar to those of the Devil's Hole pegmatite described above,
except that no fractures are now visible, are not uncommon in perthite-rich
pegmatites in South Dakota, Colorado, and New Mexico. These pegmatites
commonly contain other bodies plainly controlled by fractures. Cleaveland
ite- and lepidolite-rich bodies in some pegmatites may also have been localized
by fractures that are now obliterated.
Other Replacement Bodies.—Replacement bodies that cannot be corre
lated with fractures are a diverse group. Some occur along contacts of peg
lie

matites and their wall rocks; some follow particular zones or along the
other units; some show systematic relationships
or

boundaries between zones

In
or
to

pegmatites. pegmatites
of

of

the keels crests some the occurrence

by

replacement apparently controlled

of

bodies the distribution minerals

is
 INTERNAL STRUCTURE OF GRANITIC PEGMATITES. 93

or mineral aggregates susceptible to replacement. Still another group of

replacement bodies comprises those that occur without any apparent structural,
textural, or mineralogical control.
Certain replacement bodies evidently were developed along pegmatite
wall rock contacts, in part at the expense of wall rock, in part at the expense
of one or more of the outer zones. Several small-scale examples of such
bodies are exposed in the Petaca district of northern New Mexico; for ex
ample, in the Hidden Treasure pegmatite (Fig. 54).
Jahns reports replacement bodies in certain pegmatites of the Petaca
district, N. Mex., that are parallel in large part with zonal contacts and appear
to have formed chiefly at the expense of border and wall zones. Thus in
the Hidden Treasure pegmatite the medium- to coarse-grained wall zone of
perthite and quartz has been almost completely replaced by cleavelandite and
sugary albite, and locally by muscovite. Only scattered remnants of the
original perthite-rich rock remain. In the eastern part of the pegmatite the
replacement body cuts across a coarse-grained, perthite-rich intermediate zone
into the massive quartz of the core.
The wall zone of the Apache pegmatite (Fig. 71), an asymmetric inverted
trough that plunges westward, has been largely replaced by albite and musco
vite. The intermediate zones, consisting of (a) massive quartz with giant
crystals of perthite and (b) coarse, blocky perthite, are locally albitized, and
in such places the contact between the albite-rich body and the quartz core
is generally sharp (Fig. 72). In some parts of the mine, however, the con
tact is marked by layers of dark, smoky quartz 1/16 to 4 inch thick. These
alternate with thicker layers of cleavelandite, and are so regular and con
its

tinuous that they are interpreted as diffusion effects. In keelward part,

the Kiawa pegmatite (Fig. 64) contains cleavelandite-rich replacement bodies
that extend inward from the margins
or

core segments
of

inner intermediate
perthite and quartz. The Pino Verde pegmatite (Fig. 73) contains
of

zone
cleavelandite-rich bodies along the flanks quartz core. The bodies are
of
a
by

di
of as

as

radial aggregates
of

characterized cleavelandite much

in

feet
8
by

These have clearly formed replacement quartz and perthite

of

ameter.
by

the core, which are transected the aggregates.

(Fig.
H.
N.

McNair reports that the Palermo No. pegmatite Groton,

1

39), contains replacement body somewhat similar

to

those described above.

a

The pegmatite plunging lens broadly oval cross section. The middle
of in
is
a

the pegmatite, composed albite (An,), quartz, and

of

intermediate zone
sheet-bearing muscovite developed along the keel. Separating the zone
is

from the core, which composed quartz with scattered perthite and beryl
of
is

crystals, replacement body cleavelandite (Ana) and muscovite. This

of
is
a

body consists irregular cleavelandite lobes feet long and

as

as
of

much
8

3
by

feet thick, that are rimmed small bronze-colored “wedged” muscovite books.
The outer part cleavelandite plates oriented normal
of

of

each lobe consists

the lobe; the inner part consists smaller, more compact,
to

of

of

the surface
randomly-oriented plates intergrown with small muscovite flakes. The lobes
by

are separated few places aggregates muscovite flakes, but are usually
of
in
a
by

separated quartz The lobes truncate euhedral beryl crystals

of

the core.
 7760°

7740' ExPLANATION

7720
Dumpmaterial
/
..
..

H
77ooº- 7700.
Massive quartz
(Core)

H
768o'- 7680°
-
-

-
i.

º,”
ºn Massive quartz

-
-

H.
H

7660°- – 7660°
2

- with large

A
water Level —2. C/7 awo.

-
- ~ perthitecrystals
_- - zone)
(Inner intermediate
~~ /* --~~
–2
*F

|-7640°
º

7640°-

.
/
_- // _- <

-
-),

~~~

z
_

z
u Blocky perthite

-
a-
H

zone)
(Outerintermediate

- z.,’

i
76°9′ deposit pinches our - _– 762o.

-
- -

z
-
-

---
.

—
-

- AT Bottom of FLOODED --

.
.
E.
-
E.

winz
...

-
7'
:
*

7'
2'T
Z x
*- T _-- - - -76 do Lº
7600'. --- Albite-rich pegmatite,
_- 12"
- - locallywith much mica

,”

- ...
/,
// ,
–
n

7
zsso
580°- –-,”,” ----
– |-75sor º
_-- borderzone)

-
_- %2^
–
~~ --- --- ~
756,o'- |-7560'. -----
_-
Micaceous quartzite

WNW. ESE.
O 25 5o 1oo FEET --~~~~
-- Contact,
dashedwhere approximate

pegmatiteunits
R.

Preparedby H. Jahns
November1944

FIGURE 71.--CROSS SECTION OF APACHE PEGMATITE, RIO ARRIBA COUNTY, NEW MEXICO, SHOWING RELATION BETWEEN INNER ZONES AND
THE ALBITIZED ouTER ZONEs
 INTERNAL STRUCTURE OF GRANITIC PEGMATITES. 95

as well as fractures and milky bands in quartz. Similar cleavelandite-rich

units in the Branchville, Conn., pegmatite have been described as replacement
bodies (108b, pp. 336–338).
In the pegmatites of the Black Hills only one possible example of a
replacement body along a zonal boundary has been noted. This is a unit
composed dominantly of muscovite books, about 1 inch in maximum dimension,
with minor quartz, albite, uraninite, gummite, and autunite, occurring in
the Bob Ingersoll No. 2 pegmatite. This body apparently was developed
along the footwall contact between the innermost intermediate zone (quartz
albite pegmatite) and the amblygonite-rich second intermediate zone. Bodies
similar in lithology and structure (including cleavelandite radial aggregates)
to those of the Petaca district and the Palermo No. 1 and Branchville peg
matites have been observed at the Crown, Old Mike, Glenwood, and other
mines, but Page concludes that these units are zones.
In many pegmatites of the Petaca district there is a definite relationship
of replacement bodies to the keels of the pegmatites. The North Star (Fig.
48) and Alamos pegmatites contain replacement bodies rich in albite in their
keelward (eastern) parts. The replacement bodies extend into the cores,
and in the Alamos pegmatite albite forms stockworks in the massive quartz.
The pegmatite (Fig. 40), a lens that dips steeply north and plunges west
at a moderate to steep angle, contains a large replacement body of albite and
muscovite with samarskite, columbite, tantalite, bismutite, and other accessory
minerals. This unit is best developed in the keelward part of the pegmatite,
but it extends westward as two prongs along the margins of the core and
intermediate zones. The prongs are separated from the wall rock in most
places by a thin layer of unreplaced border-zone and wall-zone material.
Locally the prongs transect the zones at an acute angle, but in general they
are controlled by zonal contacts.
In some pegmatites specific minerals or mineral aggregates have been
replaced selectively, and the distribution of the material formed by replace
ment varies according to the distribution of the original material. For many
such bodies, at hand is insufficient to indicate at what stage of
evidence
pegmatite development replacement occurred, and further study is needed to
determine whether these are replacement bodies as defined in this report.
Most bodies formed by selective replacement are so small that they cannot be
shown separately on maps. In some pegmatites the amount of material
formed by replacement is large, but it is scattered through other units in such
a way that no major unit is composed dominantly of At the Keyes mine,
or it.

H., for example, six pegmatites mined show re

N.

Orange, prospected
by

placement perthite porous aggregates albite with subordinate fine

of

of

grained muscovite and accessory perthite. Perfect pseudomorphs micro

of

cline crystals feet long and

as

as

diameter are found. These

in

much feet
in 4

aggregates are present, varying abundance, every zone the pegmatites

of
in

that contains perthite, but are not mappable dimensions any the pegma
of
in

tites. Many spodumene crystals pegmatites South Dakota have been

in

in

altered pseudomorphically “rotten spodumene,” commonly

of

mixture
to

a
In

hydrous mica and clay minerals,

or
of

muscovite and albite. the Freetland

 CAMERON,

al,
ECONOMIC GEOLOGY, Mon. 2 et Plate

7
zºº
FIG. 75. West wall
ºf ºº
main McKinney quarry, Mitchell Co., North Carolina, showing
of

plagioclase-rich “football” fringed with “wedge-A” books muscovite. Massive quartz beneath
of

contains large crystals perthite. Note diagonal fracture fillings

of

walls above and below man.

in
 96 E. N. CAMERON, R. H. JAHNS, A. H. McNAIR AND L. R. PAGE

pegmatite, Petaca district, N. Mex., well-formed perthite crystals as much as

4 feet in diameter are slightly to almost completely replaced by sugary and
platy albite with small monazite and columbite crystals (Fig. 74). In the
McKinney pegmatite, Spruce Pine district, N. C., large perthite crystals and
quartz of the inner units occur with festoons of albite and green wedge musco
vite (Fig. 75). Locally they nearly surround ovoid masses of quartz and
plagioclase, and elsewhere they are curving sheet-like undulatory masses.
These layers of albite and muscovite are 2 inches to more than 2 feet thick,
and the masses they partly or completely enclose are as much as 15 feet in
diameter (average 2% feet). Some of the quartz-plagioclase bodies plainly

- - - - - r EXPLANATION

C. c.
Fluorite

- w - Monazite
and
- Columbite

[º
- -
- *…”.”
- - -
- Fine-grained
- - - Cleavelandite

x - - \Tºu
Perthite

- - -
Massivequartz

2 3 4FEEr prepared
Sketch byR.H.Jahnt
novernber
1944
FIGURE 74.—CRYSTAL OF PERTHITE. PARTLY REPLACED BY SUGARY CLEAVELANDITE, FREETLAND PEGMATITE.
RIO ARRIBA COUNTY. NEW MEXICO

were formed by replacement of giant crystals of perthite; others by replace

ment of quartz-perthite, or quartz-perthite-plagioclase aggregates. Others
contain no recognizable residual material. Both the festoons and the ovoid
masses form a structural pattern distinct from that of the zones in the deposit,
and clearly are replacement bodies as here defined.
Replacement bodies distributed without systematic relation to structural,
textural, or mineralogical features are found in a number of pegmatites.
Several pegmatites studied contain irregular units composed essentially of
cleavelandite, cleavelandite-quartz, or muscovite-quartz that cut zonal bound
aries or occur sporadically through individual zones. Muscovite-quartz
masses in the Beecher Lode, and other pegmatites in South Dakota contain
irregular masses of muscovite and quartz within zones or across zones. The
masses appear to have been formed after the enclosing units and are tentatively
classified as replacement bodies. Lepidolite-quartz masses as much as 3 feet
in diameter occurring in the Strickland-Cramer pegmatite, Conn., appear
completely random in distribution, except that they are associated with quartz
cleavelandite pegmatite formed by replacement. Undoubtedly many replace
ment bodies that appear to be distributed without rhyme or reason in peg
matite are related to features of the host pegmatites that have been destroyed
 INTERNAL STRUCTURE OF GRANITIC PEGMATITES. 97

or obscured in the process of replacement. The control of the distribution of

others probably remains unknown owing to lack of critical exposures.

Origin of Pegmatite Units.

General Statement.—The wartime investigations have yielded much in

formation on the origin of pegmatite units, and it seems desirable to analyze
some of the data and to present whatever inferences are warranted. The
authors recognize that the puzzle of pegmatite origin is still far from solved.
Detailed studies of variations in mineral composition in relation to zonal struc
ture must be made, paragenetic sequences must be correlated with the develop
ment of the internal structure of pegmatites, and the present meager store of
physico-chemical information on the behavior of pegmatitic fluids must be
greatly amplified before a fully acceptable theory of origin can be formulated.
In the meantime, however, the large body of data derived from structural
studies cannot be ignored. The purpose of the following discussion is to
point out the salient characteristics of zoned pegmatites as indicated by war
time studies, and to present an hypothesis of origin which reconciles these
features, as far as possible at present, with other information available.
In considering the problem of origin, it must be constantly remembered
that fracture fillings and replacement bodies characteristically form structural
patterns that are superimposed on the earlier zonal patterns. Pegmatite units
therefore fall naturally into two major groups, one consisting of zones, the
other of fracture fillings and replacement bodies. This division is not always
clear cut, for within a given pegmatite the two groups may overlap in time.
Nevertheless, as the majority of fracture fillings and replacement bodies appear
to have been developed after completion of the zonal structure, and as even
those contemporaneous with inner zones are later than the parts of the pegma
tite body which enclose them, the division into two groups is feasible so long
as the possibility of overlap is kept in mind.
The two major groups of units cannot be correlated precisely with the
stages of pegmatite development outlined by previous investigators. Stages
have hitherto been recognized largely by study of mineral relationships, and
mineral development has not always been discussed in terms of the corre
sponding structural units. In general, however, two major stages have been
recognized by other investigators: (1) an early stage termed magmatic (e.g.,
12, 101, 105, 107, 58, 61, 63,44) or epimagmatic (30) and (2) a later stage
considered hydrothermal (101, 105, 107, 58, 59, 63), pneumotolytic" (44),
or both (12, 23, 30). The early stage would include both the epimagmatic
and pegmatitic stages of Fersmann (23). The later stage has been divided
by various authors into as many as seven substages ranging from pneumato
lytic to low-temperature hydrothermal.
Replacement of minerals has been recognized by some authors in both
stages (30) but it is the later stage that is characterized by fracture filling
and replacement of pre-existing pegmatite, in some pegmatites almost to
6 Hess does not use the term “pneumatolytic” but states (p. 298) that “Whether these fluid
solutions are liquid or gas is not known, but I find it hard to conceive them as other than gas.”
98 E. N. CAMERON, R. H. JAHNS, A. H. McNAIR AND L. R. PAGE.

obliteration of earlier-formed structures and lithologic units. Whether mag

matic or not, zone formation appears to belong in general to the early stage
of other investigators, and the formation of fracture fillings and replacement
bodies to the later stage. Observations of the authors and their colleagues
therefore support the conclusions of other investigators to the extent that
two major stages in pegmatite development can be recognized, but it seems
clear that the two groups overlap in time in some pegmatites. It is evident
from the present studies, however, that in many pegmatites the early stage
was more complex than has generally been recognized, and that the origin
of zones, the principal units developed in this stage, is not only one of the
principal problems of pegmatite genesis but is also of great practical signifi
cance, particularly as zones are quantitatively and economically far more
important than other units.
Origin of Zones.—The characteristics of zones and zoned pegmatites have
been discussed in previous pages. There are many variations in detail, par
ticularly from district to district, but the following appear to be fundamental
characteristics of zoned pegmatites:

1. Zoned pegmatites consist of successive shells, complete or incomplete, con

centric about an innermost zone or core. The various zones differ in mineral
composition or texture, or both.
2. Contacts between zones are gradational or abrupt. Most are gradational
over intervals ranging from fractions of an inch to 5 or more feet in width.
3. The material composing an inner zone may transect an outer zone or replace
any part of the outer zone. The reverse is not true.
4. Zoned pegmatites show definite sequences of mineral assemblages from the
walls inward to the cores. The general sequence of the dominant mineral
assemblages appears to be as follows:

(1) Plagioclase-quartz-muscovite
(2) Plagioclase-quartz
(3) Quartz-plagioclase-perthite + muscovite + biotite
(4) Perthite-quartz
(5) Perthite-quartz-plagioclase-amblygonite-spodumene
(6) Plagioclase-quartz-spodumene
(7) Quartz-spodumene
(8) Lepidolite-plagioclase-quartz
(9) Quartz-microcline
(10) Microcline-plagioclase-lithia micas-quartz
(11) Quartz
all

Sequences of mineral assemblages in nearly the zoned pegmatites exam

ined correspond this sequence. No one pegmatite contains all members
of
to

the sequence, but general whatever assemblages are present occur the
in

in
as

same sequence the corresponding assemblages the general sequence.

in

Deviations from the general sequence are uncommon. very few peg
In
a

matites studied, other assemblages are present, but their addition would dis
proportionately complicate the sequence given. some pegmatites, given
In

lithologic assemblage occurs

or

two places the sequence,

at

others two
in

in

more assemblages are telescoped, few others the mineralogy given

of
in
a

assemblage slightly different from the norm. On the whole, however,

is

uniformity that
an

sequence mineral assemblages show approach

of

to

is

-
altogether remarkable.
 INTERNAL STRUCTURE OF GRANITIC PEGMATITES. 99

5. Members 4–11 of the sequence correspond in general to the paragenetic se

quence of minerals outlined for granitic pegmatites (as defined by Schaller
in 1933) by several previous investigators. Many pegmatites, however, also
contain members 1–3 between member 4 and the walls. Members 4 to 11,
entirely or in part, are absent from many of these pegmatites.
6. Mineralogically, members 1 to 3 of the sequence are characterized by plagio
clase and muscovite. The plagioclase commonly ranges from andesine to
median albite, in contrast to the more sodic albite commonly found in members
5 to 10 of the series.
7. In some zoned pegmatites, there is a systematic variation in anorthite content
of plagioclase from zone to zone, of the type shown in pegmatite A of Figure
76. The anorthite content characteristically decreases from the walls in
ward; the reverse relation has not been found.
8. In some pegmatites, however, two kinds of plagioclase, either in single crys
tals or in zoned crystals, are present in certain zones. In these, the variations,
as far as known, are of the kind shown in pegmatite B of Figure 76. This
is the same as for pegmatite A, except that in the outer zones the more calcic
plagioclase is accompanied by more sodic albite. The reverse relation has not
been found. Similarly, there is evidence of systematic increase in the alkali
content of beryl from zone to zone inward from the walls. There is also
evidence of increase in the lithia content of micas inward, and in the Ta2O:
content of columbite-tantalite. Much more work, however, is needed to de
termine clearly the variations in mineral composition with respect to zones.
9. Replacement of one mineral by another within a zone may be indicated by
the textural relations between the two minerals.

These seem to be the outstanding characteristics of zones and zoned peg

matites, and the writers' attempts to formulate an hypothesis of the origin
of zones have centered around them. Three principal possibilities for the
origin of zones are suggested:
(1) Development by crystallization of pegmatitic magma in situ. Pegmatitic
liquid is injected into a chamber and undergoes fractional crystallization. Reaction
of crystals and rest-liquid is incomplete, and successive crops of crystals are de
posited against the walls until the chamber is filled. Successive zones of contrasting
composition result. The zones develop in what might be called a “restricted sys
tem,” a system closed to the extent that nothing is added to it from the source of
the liquid between the time of the original injection and the end of zone develop
ment, but open to the extent that material may escape during crystallization, and
its

reactions between the pegmatite and walls may take place.

Among those who have concluded, for pegmatites various regions, that zones
in

situ, are Brögger (12,

or

develop partly entirely from magma 230), Crosby

p.
in

p.

and Fuller (18, 157), Warren and Palache (119, 146), Kemp (53, pp. 708,
p.

722), Landes (62,

p.

388), and Shaub (111).

by

an

(2) Development successive deposition open system. The space occu

in

pied by zoned pegmatite represents part channel along which pegmatitic

of
a
a

solutions travel. Progressive changes temperature, pressure, and composition

in

of the solutions cause deposition successive layers contrasting composition.

of

of

by

This theory, with various modifications, has been advocated some geologists,
of

whom Andersen (2) and Quirke and Kremers (98) may

be

cited.
(3) Development two stages: (1) magmatic epimagmatic stage during
or
in

which pegmatitic solutions were injected and crystallized massive pegmatite (or
to

aplite) restricted system, and (2) hydrothermal stage (or pneumatolytic and
in
a

hydrothermal stage) during which solutions passing through the pegmatite effected
successive replacements an open system.
of
If

the solutions followed the walls

in

the pegmatite body, peripheral replacement the pegmatite might result, yielding
of

unit enveloping unreplaced pegmatite. replacement

of

of

core Further waves

a

might result pegmatite consisting

of

several shells.
in
a
100 E. N. CAMERON, R. H. JAHNS, A. H. McNAIR AND L. R. PAGE.

This hypothesis is theories of peg

an adaptation and extension of some
matite formation advocated by Galpin (29, p. 27), Schaller (101, 105, 107),
Gevers (30, 31), Björlykke (8, 9), and others since the turn of the century.

jº
%

.§º - An 12 + Anz

- Anio
2.
+ Anz
3. wº

++-- Ane + Anz

;
Anz

-
*y A
º~!

Types plagioclase,
of

of

of

FIG. 76. variations anorthite content from wall zone

core, zoned pegmatites.
to

in

Uspensky's hypothesis (118) for the origin

of

zonal structures certain

in
all

Transbaikalian aplite-pegmatite dikes combines features three hypotheses

of

outlined. He regards the two zones pegmatitic material present

of

the
in

partial recrystallization aplite dikes symmetrically with

to
at to as

of

bodies due
respect the median portions These portions remained open,
of

the dikes.
part least, after crystallization aplite channels for
as
of

and served
in

the
circulating solutions. As the solutions are apparently regarded (118,
p.

441)
the crystallization the aplite, however,
as

of

of

residua would seem that

it

Uspensky did not have open system (in the usual petrologic sense
an

of

the
word) mind.
in
 INTERNAL STRUCTURE OF GRANITIC PEGMATITES. 101

When the characteristics of zones are weighed against the three modes
of origin outlined above, it seems evident that these characteristics are not
all equally significant. Either gradational or abrupt contacts could arise as
a result of any one of the three modes of origin. Similarly, the fact that
within a zone one mineral may be found to have replaced another does not
seem especially significant. In a restricted system, reaction between crystals
and rest-liquid might take place at any stage, and the textural relations pro
duced might be indistinguishable from those produced by hydrothermal
replacement in open system.
Concentric structure, in itself, likewise does not seem indicative of origin.
Either fractional crystallization in closed system or successive hydrothermal
replacements of massive pegmatite (or aplite) in open system could produce
concentric units. The writers think, however, that the concentric arrange
ment is much less likely to have been resulted from successive stages of depo
sition and replacement in open channelways. If this is the origin of zones, by
what process is the complete envelopment of the inner, later zones of some
pegmatites by the outer, earlier zones achieved? Structurally, the more fully
exposed pegmatite chambers’ do not resemble open channelways; in fact, in
some pegmatites at least, it appears that channels into the chambers must
have been effectively blocked at an early stage by the formation of the outer
zones. Unfortunately, few pegmatites are fully exposed, so it can rarely be
shown whether or not zones developed in chambers completely closed off
from the source of the pegmatite liquid. It is still necessary to explain, how
ever, the presence of secondary foliation, crumpling, and minor folds in the
wall rocks adjacent to many zoned pegmatites. The arrangement of these
structures appears to indicate plainly that many zoned pegmatites were force
fully injected. Forceful injection and the maintenance of open channelways
are not easy to reconcile. However, a modification of the mechanism dis
cussed by Andersen (2, pp. 30–33) might be suggested. If there is a local
steep pressure gradient due to a constriction in the channel through which
pegmatitic solutions are escaping, the walls of the channel upstream from the
constriction might yield, and structures indistinguishable from those produced
during forceful injection might result.
The characteristics of zone boundaries, replacement phenomena, and con
centric structures are noteworthy features, but much more significant is the
fact that the material of an inner zone may extend outward along fractures
into an outer zone or even beyond it into the wall rock, whereas the reverse
is not true. Also, it seems significant that whereas a mineral of an inner
zone may replace a mineral of an outer zone, the reverse has not been found.
Where more than one variety of a mineral is present in a pegmatite, this
holds for each variety. These features appear to indicate that zones develop
successively from the walls inward. The same conclusion seems indicated by
available data on mineral variation from zone to zone. On the generally
accepted assumption that pegmatite development proceeds with falling tem
perature, plagioclase with relatively high anorthite content should form first,
7 As used in this report, the “chamber” of a pegmatite signifies merely that portion of the
earth's crust now occupied by a given pegmatite body.
102 E. N. CAMERON, R. H. JAHNS, A. H. McNAIR AND L. R. PAGE.

and plagioclase progressively more sodic later. As the anorthite content

shows a decrease from the outer to the inner zones in those pegmatites in
which the plagioclase shows any change, it would appear that the spatial order
of zones from the walls inward is likewise the chronological order of
development.
The same conclusion is suggested by the correspondence between the litho
logic sequence of zones and the general paragenetic sequence of minerals as
established by previous investigators for granitic pegmatites in the strict sense.
Deposition of potash feldspar is succeeded by deposition of soda-rich and
lithia-rich minerals. However, prior to the potash feldspar stage, plagioclase
and plagioclase-muscovite zones appear to have formed in many pegmatites
that are not granitic in the strict sense, but instead are quartz monzonitic or
even granodioritic. In many such pegmatites, however, the plagioclase of
these outer zones is more anorthitic than the plagioclase of the zones later in
the sequence.
Deposition, from the pegmatite walls inward, of successive shells having
the characteristics and relationships cited is expectable if zones are developed
by fractional crystallization and incomplete reaction in a restricted system.
Most of the facts cited likewise can be explained as due to deposition of
successive layers in open channelways by solutions progressively changing in
temperature, pressure, and concentration, but again the concentric arrange
ment of the zones, the fact that inner, later zones are completely enclosed in
the outer, older zones, is difficult to understand. Until this feature is satis
factorily explained the hypothesis of deposition in open system is untenable.
It seems unlikely that successive replacements of pre-existing massive
pegmatite (or aplite) could result in such relations. Where replacement is
its

guided by the contact between a pegmatite and wall rock, peripheral a

might unreplaced (Fig.
be

developed pegmatite 77).

of

shell around core

a

Later, another unit might develop the expense the margin

of

of
the first
at

unit. Stage Figure shows the end result, where there

77

replacement
of
3

are three lithologic units available likely

Is
as

controls for replacement.

it
all

peripheral,
be

be
further replacements will
or

that may not replacement

by

guided the other lithologic boundaries? The more zones we have

a of

one
given pegmatite, the more unlikely becomes that the suc
to

deal with
in

it

the chronological order

be

zones inward from the walls will

of

in

cession
which the zones developed. Furthermore, even we assume that zones have
if

been formed by successive peripheral replacements,

of

the anorthite content

plagioclase should increase inward, Figure 77, not de
3,
as

shown stage
in
be
to

crease, for the latest minerals form would concentrated the outer
in

what has actually been found. The

be

This would
of

zones. the reverse

by

same consideration rules out the hypothesis suggested Uspensky (118),

recrystallization, for
as

as

modified include replacement well

to

even
is
if
it

requires that the outer zones contain the lower-temperature minerals.

it

The relation fracture-fillings also requires consideration.

of

to

zones
Fracturing during development pegmatite Pegma
of

common event.
is
a

Figure 78 shows fracture fillings developed during formation

of

of
A

tite an
 INTERNAL STRUCTURE OF GRANITIC PEGMATITES. -
103

inner zone (black) and their typical relationship to other zones. If the inner.
zone had developed by replacement along the margin of the core, one would
expect that fracture fillings would be found extending across the core as
well as the outer zones (Fig. 78, pegmatite B).
There is still another possibility. We might imagine that crystallization
of homogeneous aplite or pegmatite from an injected body of magma has
progressed until only the medial portion is unconsolidated. If then the

<
"A

w $ %º
s'. ::;
..ſ

Development pegmatite by successive

of

of

FIG. 77. concentric shells

peripheral replacements.

medial portion becomes for circulating solutions,

as

passageway suggested
a

by Uspensky, successive waves replacement might extend outward toward

of of

In

the walls, and successive shells contrasting composition might result.

order explain the systematic decrease the anorthite content inward from
in
to

the walls, however,

be

to

would necessary assume that each successive wave

it

stopped short, general, previous waves. Apart from

of

replacement
of
byin

the other problems presented this hypothesis, extremely difficult

in to
is
it

unreplaced remnants
of

of

account for the total lack the outermost zones

the pegmatites studied.
of

both outer and inner intermediate zones

successive hydro
by

The final argument against development

of

zones
thermal replacements massive pegmatite the near-constancy, from region
of

is

region, the lithologic sequence pegmatites

to

of

of

of

zones from the walls

by

developed replacements pre-existing peg

of

inward. zones
If

successive
seems most unlikely that nearly consistent sequence would
be

matite,
byit

large numbers many districts.

so

pegmatites
of

shown
in
104 E. N. CAMERON, R. H. JAHNS, A. H. McNAIR AND L. R. PAGE.

For these reasons, the writers feel obliged to adopt, as a working hypoth
esis, the concept that zones have developed from the walls inward, essen
tially by fractional crystallization and incomplete reaction in a restricted
system. Proof of this hypothesis cannot be given at present, but the field

\\/
zº
N.

\\

. \
17
--
º
|

|2

/ º &N.}
\ …”
T/
l
lſº
/
I\
I !,
\ |:
|
}^
º
I
!.~,
t
w

FIG. 78. Sketch showing relations of fracture fillings to zones. A, Fracture

fillings developed as offshoots of an inner zone; B, Fracture-fillings developed as
offshoots of a replacement body formed along an intermediate contact.

facts are more simply and logically explained in this way than in terms of
deposition in open system due to continuous passage of solutions along a
channel. Furthermore, the writers are struck by the similarity between zoned
pegmatites and certain zoned intrusives—Shonkin Sag (120, 48), Mt. Girnar
(72), Howford Bridge (117), Raana (25), Carrock Fell (40), and others—
 INTERNAL STRUCTURE OF GRANITIC PEGMATITES. 105

that appear to owe their zonal structures primarily to fractional crystallization

from their walls inward, with incomplete reaction between crystals and rest
liquid.
If zones are formed by the means suggested, the following generalizations
may be pointed out:

1. Zones represent successive crops of crystals deposited as successive layers

upon the walls of the chamber enclosing a body of pegmatitic liquid, and hence
are due primarily to fractional crystallization.
2. Reactions between crystals and rest-liquid may take place at any stage, and
may cause replacement of a mineral, or dſ part or all of one or more zones,
by another mineral or group of minerals.
3. The consistent zone sequences characteristic of the groups of pegmatites
studied reflect the normal course of crystallization of granitic and related
pegmatitic liquids. Divergences from the usual sequence are due to differ
ences in initial composition of bodies of pegmatitic liquid, to reaction with
wall rock, to crystal settling or rising, or to differences in rates of cooling,
reversals of temperature gradient, or varying degrees of reaction between
rest-liquid and earlier crystals.
4. Inward coarsening of texture probably is due to lower viscosity, which in
turn is due to progressive enrichment of the rest-liquid in hyperfusibles.
5. Incomplete or discontinuous zones are the result either of deposition restricted
to a few places along the inner surface of the zone next outside, or reaction
of complete zones with residual liquid, with attendant removal of parts of
the zone.
6. The development of zones might be likened to the development of essentially
concentric units in some bodies composed of normal igneous rocks.

Origin of Other Units.-Fracture fillings and replacement bodies grade

into one another and are later than the zones they transect or by which their
development is guided. Some fracture fillings are offshoots of inner zones
and are therefore contemporaneous with these zones, and likewise some
replacement bodies in outer zones are undoubtedly contemporaneous with
inner zones. Most fracture fillings and replacement bodies, however, appear
to have formed after the development of part or all of the zonal structure.
In some pegmatites the development of a fracture-filling or replacement
body can be correlated with the development of an inner zone, and the source
of the material thereby established. When no correlation with zones can
be made, the source of the solutions responsible for the formation of such
bodies is questionable. Fersmann (24, p. 200) views pegmatites as products
of crystallization in a closed system, and hence apparently would regard the
hydrothermal solutions that cause replacement bodies as the residua of con
solidation of the pegmatite liquid. Landes (58, p. 411; 62, p. 389) has sug
gested that the replacement bodies in pegmatites of Buckfield and Greenwood,
Me., and Baringer Hill, Tex., are due to solutions from deeper-lying parts
of the pegmatites, but later he remarks (63, p. 54) that the solutions may
have come from the original granitic magma from which the pegmatites were
derived. Sterrett (114, p. 10), Schaller (101, 105, 107), Andersen (2),
Derry (20), Björlykke (9, pp. 145–161), Switzer (116), Roy and others
(99, p. 162), and McLaughlin (74) are among those who have concluded that
the solutions entered from outside the pegmatite chambers, after consolidation
106 E. N. CAMERON, R. H. JAHNS, A. H. McNAIR AND L. R. PAGE.

of the original pegmatitic liquid. These writers either state or imply that
the solutions came from the parent magma from which the pegmatitic liquids
were derived. Gevers (31, p. 353) points out that the solutions might also
have arisen in situ, as suggested by Makinen (71, p. 26) in connection with
alteration effects in certain pegmatites of Finland, or from other bodies of peg
matite emplaced at lower horizons. Gevers regards solutions from deeper
sources as primarily responsible for replacement bodies in the pegmatites of
Namaqualand, but concludes that the abnormal concentrations of mineralizing
fluids from several different sources in portions of particular pegmatites played
a decisive role.
In some pegmatites, as pointed out by Landes (58), the volume of material
present in replacement bodies is so small in proportion to the volume of
earlier-formed pegmatite that it seems reasonable to regard the bodies as
the work of the final residua of consolidation of the pegmatites in which they
are found. It is where the volume of replacement material is great in pro
portion to the total volume of pegmatite that an appeal to solutions from
outside the pegmatite becomes more attractive. However, Gevers (31, p. 360)
warns that many alterations are not replacement in toto but merely involve
the interchange of certain radicals and the removal of a comparatively small
portion of the replaced material. Regardless of the merits of the particular
case of albitization of microcline that he discusses, it is worthwhile to remem
ber that we have little data on what changes, if any, in the bulk composition
of whole pegmatites have been effected during replacement. Most of the data
and observations available apply only to limited portions of pegmatite bodies,
and information regarding the more completely exposed pegmatites is mostly
qualitative, not quantitative.
In summary, investigations of pegmatites in various parts of the world
have suggested several sources for the solutions which cause the formation
of fracture fillings and replacement bodies, but information at hand is so
limited that at present it is impossible to evaluate the importance of the
sources. Several possibilities appear plausible at the present stage of pegma
tite study, and there is little to be gained by advocating any one as a general
explanation. Replacement bodies and fracture fillings are a varied assemblage
all

and it seems unlikely that a single explanation will account for the members.

APPLICATIONs TO MINING AND PROSPECTING.

From the practical standpoint the principal

of

of

result wartime studies

pegmatites many pegmatites has been
of

that the distribution

minerals
in
be is

systematically related
structural features, especially
to

to

shown
to

the
pegmatite-wall rock contacts. Because this true, detailed structural analysis
is

under reasonably favorable conditions exposure commonly yields informa

of

tion useful those engaged the prospecting, exploration, and development

in
to

pegmatite mineral deposits. Unfailing success,

be
to

course,
of

of

no more
is

seems fair con

to

expected than with other types mineral deposits, but

of

it

clude that geologic information, properly applied, will peg

be

to

valuable the
matite industry, just
to
as

other mineral industries.

is
it
 INTERNAL STRUCTURE OF GRANITIC PEGMATITES. 107

It must be admitted that the geologic profession has lagged behind the
mining industry in realizing that pegmatite mineral distribution is far from
being haphazard. Anyone who studies and maps the workings of pegmatite
mines in detail is readily convinced that the concentration of minerals into
“pay streaks,” “zones,” “columns,” “shoots,” and the like has been known
to the more intelligent and experienced miners for decades. It has been an
important factor in mining operations, even though information on which the
industry could base a comprehensive view of pegmatite mineral distribution
has not been at hand. Some geologists, in contrast, have emphasized the
irregularity of pegmatite deposits and have questioned the feasibility of at
temps to deal with them by the systematic methods that have been successfully
applied to mineral deposits in general.
Wartime work has been focused on means of stimulating immediate pro
duction of strategic minerals. For the future, however, the use of structural
data to improve existing methods of prospecting would appear to be even more
important. Since the beginning of pegmatite mining, prospectors have relied
largely on surface exposures to indicate whether minable concentrations of
minerals are present in pegmatite bodies. Those pegmatites that contained
valuable minerals in surface exposures have been sampled, whereas others
have been largely ignored. Declining discovery rates in the earlier developed
pegmatite districts indicate that prospecting conducted on this basis has
already reached the point of diminishing returns. The present studies show
that pegmatites require three-dimensional analysis, and that surface exposures
considered without reference to the three-dimensional structure may give little
or no indication of mineral deposits in underground portions of a pegmatite
body. The pegmatite that is lean or barren at the surface may contain min
able portions below. The clues to these portions can only be detected by
applying a broad knowledge of pegmatite structure and mineral distribution,
and by careful study and correlation of internal structures and lithologic
sequences in the various pegmatites within a given district. If this is done,
it seems likely that the range of successful prospecting can be extended beyond
the limits imposed by practices of the past.

APPENDIX.
Representation of Pegmatites on Geologic Maps, Cross Sections,
and Related Diagrams.

General Statement.—During the wartime investigations much attention

was given to the problem of representing pegmatites and pegmatite units on
maps, cross sections, and other diagrams customarily used to depict the struc
ture of mineral deposits. In the early stages of the work symbols were
selected by the men working in various districts according to their individual
preferences, and a hodge-podge of symbols and patterns for pegmatite units
was the inevitable result. The lack of uniformity made little difference as
long as the number of pegmatites mapped remained small, but as coverage
was extended to more and more pegmatites in many districts, the advantages
of a uniform scheme of presentation became apparent. Although no two
 108 E. N. CAMERON, R. H. JAHNS, A. H. McNAIR AND L. R. PAGE.

pegmatites are precisely alike in lithology, they show many features in com
mon, and a uniform scheme greatly facilitates use and comparison of the
results of different studies.
Early attempts to devise a uniform system failed because the types of
units present in pegmatites had not yet been clearly recognized and defined
and because the range of lithologic characteristics in pegmatites was not ade
quately known. In addition, a conflict between practical and scientific ob
jectives in mapping was not resolved. From the purely scientific standpoint,
the purpose of a map of a pegmatite is to show the mineral composition and
arrangement of the various lithologic units. From the practical standpoint,
the prime purpose of the map is to show the distribution of valuable minerals
or rock. Viewed broadly, the two objectives are essentially the same, but in
practice conflict arises because pegmatite units are lithologically complex.

all
It is impossible to devise a set of symbols that will depict the mineralogic
any large group pegma

of

of
and textural variations found within the units

or
given unit may consist 90 percent quartz

of

of
A

the extent more

to
tites.
and feldspar, and symbol that expresses these minerals will

be
acceptable
a

the geologist because agrees with standard practice classifying rocks.

to

in
it

The miner, however, may

be

far more interested accessory minerals such

in
beryl, mica, columbite-tantalite, and show the distri
or
as

map that fails

to
a
of

bution these minerals of little use to him.

is

Another difficulty that many pegmatites contain two

or
more units that
is

minerals, but markedly different proportions. For

in

have the same essential

example, the quartz-perthite assemblage (No. the general sequence)
of

is
4
by

many pegmatites two distinct units, outer zone consisting

an

represented
in

very coarse blocky perthite crystals with interstitial quartz,

an
of

inner zone
composed quartz with scattered large perthite euhedra. The outer
of

of
the
sufficiently large, important potential source
an

two zones, No.

a of
is
if

1
pottery feldspar; the inner zone many mines not minable profit.
in

at
is

therefore essential for practical purposes. To

of

Distinction the two zones

is

make matters worse, some pegmatites have still third unit consisting essen
a

tially perthite graphic intergrowth with quartz. This zone yields com
of

in in

mercial feldspar some mines, but the product No. grade.

of

must
It
is

distinguished from both the zones described above.

be

by

no

The examples problems that arise

of

means exhaust the list

in

constructing maps and other diagrams indi

to

pegmatites, but they serve

of

cate the complexities patterns and symbols must

be
to

system
of

which
a

widely applicable. The system described below

be

adapted that
to
is

is
if
it

by

finally adopted agreement among various parties engaged studying

in
no

domestic pegmatites. simple system, because simple system

It

not
is

all

will cover group pegmatite bodies. Like

so

as

varied systems, the one

is a

presented imperfect, but prolonged use the field indicates that

in

is
it

widely applicable and that the cardinal objectives

a of

facilitates achievement
it

pegmatite mapping. The scheme key

as

presented
of

of

the hundreds
to
is

pegmatite maps that are the product the war work, and the hope that
of

in

may assist others depicting the geologic features

of
in

pegmatite bodies.
it
 INTERNAL STRUCTURE OF GRANITIC PEGMATITES. 109

System of Representation.

The system is devised in terms of the three types of lithologic and struc
tural units described in the present paper. Figure 79 shows the symbols used
in depicting the units. For completeness and for convenience of reference,
symbols for rocks commonly associated with pegmatites have been included.
The symbols used in depicting pegmatite units are chiefly symbols for
single minerals and for common combinations of minerals (e.g., quartz, plagio
clase, and perthite). A special symbol is used for border zones because these
are commonly too thin to be shown by the symbols used for other units. A
special symbol is likewise given for “pegmatite, undivided.” This symbol
is used when the units of a pegmatite or of part of a pegmatite are not dis
tinguished on the map, owing either to poor exposures, to lack of time, or to
economic limitations.
The pattern for a lithologic unit is formed by combining individual symbols
for its two most abundant essential minerals, or by using one of the special
symbols given for combinations of essential minerals, such as quartz and
plagioclase. Where a single symbol can be used to express the two most
abundant constituents, a second symbol is sometimes blended with it to empha
size the presence of sheet mica, beryl, or other valuable mineral in the unit.
To distinguish between two units that have the same essential constituents but
differ in accessory mineral content, the symbol for a diagnostic minor mineral
may be blended with the symbol for the unit containing the mineral, if the
two most abundant constituents can be expressed by a single symbol. Blends
of three or more symbols to form a pattern are avoided, because they com
plicate drafting and prove confusing to the reader.
Units that differ in texture but not in mineralogy are distinguished by
addition of dots to the pattern for one of the units, or by using a combination
symbol for one pattern and a blend of the individual symbols for the two most
abundant minerals as the pattern for the other. Thus if two units composed
of quartz and plagioclase are present, diversely oriented “v's” can be used
for one unit, a blend of “x's" (quartz) and solid black squares (plagioclase)
for the other. This same device can be used to distinguish between two
units in which the two most abundant essential minerals are the same. In
the uncommon case of three units of this kind, the pattern for the third unit
is formed by blending the symbols for the first and third most abundant min
erals. Or, if a single symbol can be used to express the two most abundant
units, the symbol for a diagnostic minor mineral may be blended with the
symbol for the combination in order to obtain a distinctive pattern.
For some units there is no one symbol that will express the two most
abundant constituents. The pattern for a unit of this sort is obtained by
blending the symbols for the two appropriate minerals. Two zones in which
the same two minerals are the most abundant may be distinguished by use
of small dots, if they differ in texture. If they are similar in texture, the
symbols for the first and third most abundant constituents are used for one
of the units.
 UNCONSOLIDATED MATERIALS
overneuroEntin dumpor backril-L ºn
section) section)

ALLuvium ExPLA NAT on no 2

PEGMATITE Quartz-plagioclose
maint
Rau- symbols ARE used singLY on in combination perthite
pegmatite

PEGMATITE,
undivided Zºº quartz-Plagioclase
-

Pegmatite
undivided
39ARIZ-Pºgºsº

R.A
\º*
PERTHITE
(or Microcline)

--
QuARTz-PERTHite [*I

1
ū.3 ovartz-cleave anote ExPLANATION No.
FUF 2 Quartz-pert
hitepegmatite

|
microcline or peath-hite El GRAPHic Granite

a
plagioclass (Except Quartz-per
that pegmatite
cleaveLandite ouartz-clbitepegmatite
cultAveu-ANDITE)

Quartz Muscovite, SHEETMica

BeaRing biotite pegmatite Quartz-muscowpegmatite
Muscovite tscRAPMica) LEPIDouTE

Quartz-dibitep-gnotite
Biotite

spodumEnE

tourmat_ine.
BERYL

anteu-Yoonitº

Topaz : l Quartz-clbit
spodum
--
ºne pegmatite
Quartz-per-hite
plagioclese
pegmatite
:
columette-tanTal-ite `YY| McRoute Quartz-p it--
biotitepegmatite
Quartzpegmatite
cassitERtte uranium MineRALs

PLAGioclase-quaRTz LEPIdolitt-QuARTz
spodumaa.ne. pu.aciocu-ase. Plagioclase-muscovite
berylpegmatite quartzpegmatite
PHosphatts, Except
Amel-Yoonite.
=

;
**,
*
*
-

ROCKS COMMONLY Associated witH PEGMATITES Quartz- thite

plagioclass
pegmatitº Lepidotite-cº-ow
and
if
basic dirge schist

^I
%
ſ
QUARTzite one iss Muscovit agioct -
*- quartzpegmatite * L-pidotite-microtit-
pegmatits
Amphibou
ite. GRanitized schist

+
schist injected BY GRAnite add dots for

A
PEGMATITE Al-Asrite on apu-te)
T

on

Fig. 79. Explanations and symbols for use maps and diagrams.
 INTERNAL STRUCTURE OF GRANITIC PEGMATITES. 111

Units, other than the border zone, so narrow that they cannot be shown
by symbols are shown in solid black. If two or more such units are present
on the map, each is designated by a lead line running from the unit to a small
circle enclosing the proper pattern for the unit.
The pattern used for a unit is uniformly applied to the whole unit on
the map. If geological or practical considerations require that the distri
bution of minerals within a unit be shown, this is done by means of a special

all
On this, the distribution of

be
map of the unit. the minerals may shown
by

or
separate symbols for individual minerals,
of

detail the usual

in

use
symbol for the unit may overprint
be

of an

or
used, and

of
one more mineral
symbols used

or
special

of
show the distribution the mineral minerals
to

interest.
Erplanations.

Convention requires that the lithologic units geologic maps

be
of
shown
chronological order, and this usage followed, possible,

so

as
far
in

in
the
is
present scheme.
of

Difficulties course arise where the structural classification

or

or

relative age, both,

of

units uncertain.
is
In

the explanations the descending order the major groups symbols

of

of
(1) unconsolidated materials; (2) bedrock units younger than pegmatite;
is

(3) pegmatite units; (4) older bedrock units; (5) symbols for structural
features; and (6) symbols for cultural features. Within each group

of
rock
units the members are listed chronologically the conventional order.
in

Arrangements and designations units given explanations

of

and
in

2
1
(Fig. 79) cover most the cases that fall within the experience
of

the writers. of
pegmatite are zones, the lowest section explanation No.
of

is of

all units
If

as 1
(Fig. 79), including the vertical bracket-labeled zones, used, modified
appropriate other types units are present,
be

may
of

of

the number units.

If
to

explanation appropriate
be
as

the whole used, modified may the number

to
is

units. For each fracture-filling body, units are

or

replacement
of

and kinds
listed normal chronological sequence.
in

For some pegmatites, either the classification both,

or

or

relative age,
of

units,
be

be

classi
or

may
of

of

unit series unknown. the units can

If

none
a

by

fied, they are grouped the boxes,

to
of

of

means vertical bracket the left

a

and the bracket labeled “Pegmatite units.” The most general case
is

is

explanation No.
on

shown designed for map which are shown:

in

It
2.

is

quartz, plagio
an

(1) essentially uniform pegmatite composed entirely

of

clase, and perthite, pegmatite comprising composition to

or

of

core this
a

gether with the map; (2) “pegmatite,

be

on

border zone too thin shown

to
a

undivided,” defined above; and (3) pegmatite consisting

as

of

nine units.
a

The relative ages units are unknown, hence the units are placed
of

of

the
9
2

Units (4) (7) are zones arranged sequence upward

at

the bottom.
in
to

The relative ages units (1) (3) are known, but

of

from wall
to

to

core.
zones, fracture fillings, replacement bodies may
or
as

structural classification
known, the units are grouped accordingly.
be
or

may not known.

If

The illustrations accompanying this paper serve examples

as

the system
of

representation.
of
112 E. N. CAMERON, R. H. JAHNS, A. H. McNAIR AND L. R. PAGE.

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