VANADIUM IN BERYL CRYSTALS OF DIFFERENT COLORS OF SHERLOVAYA GORA DEPOSIT (SOUTH-EASTERN TRANSBAIKALIA)
For the first time, a comparative study of the content of vanadium and iron impurities in it has been carried out on the example of 31 differently colored beryl crystals of bismuth-beryllium-tin-tungsten deposit Sherlova Gora in the Southeast Transbaikalia. In vein bodies, localized in greisens, there are crystals of beryl of jewelry quality. They are represented by colorless crystals, aquamarine, green beryl and golden heliodor. In them, the growth zoning is widely developed. The early zones are usually colorless. As the crystal grows, they alternate with blue, greenish-blue, green and yellow in different shades. It was found that the maximum vanadium concentrations (mean 0.0016 wt. %) Are typical for beryl crystals of green color, and the minimum values for colorless, pale blue and bright blue (mean value 0.0005 mass %). The average iron content is minimal in green beryl crystals (0.44 wt %). In crystals of blue and olive green, it is maximally (0.65 – 1.02 mass %). The content of vanadium in colorless beryl crystals is minimal due to the fact that here the maximum content of aluminum occupying octahedral positions, which can occupy vanadium. In green beryl crystals, the maximum content of vanadium is due to the minimum iron content in the octahedral positions. The tendency to the inverse dependence of the contents of vanadium in beryl crystals on the admixture of ferric iron in octahedral positions is determined. The color zoning of the crystals is due to the ratio of the impurities of two- and trivalent iron and vanadium. The maximum content of vanadium in the crystals of beryl green Sherlovaya Gora indicate the possibility of the presence among them vanadium emeralds. It is suggested that the Sheryl Mountain beryl should be investigated to reveal emerald mineralization, which can significantly increase its economic attractiveness.