2019/07/29 by Panagiotis Voudouris, Constantinos Mavrogonatos, Ian T. Graham +6 · 1 citation
Earth and Planetary Sciences · #Geological and Geochemical Analysis #Mineralogy and Gemology Studies #earthquake and tectonic studies #Titanite #Geology #Geochemistry #Metamorphic rock #Andalusite #Massif #Tourmaline #Mineral #Supergene (geology) #Hypogene #Albite #Fluorite #Mineralogy #Quartz #Pyrite #Metallurgy #Materials science #Sphalerite
paper · doi:10.3390/min9080461
openalex publication_date 2019/07/29 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/30
In the Hellenides Orogen, minerals of various gem quality occur in various rock types from mainly four tectono-metamorphic units, the Rhodope, Pelagonian, and the Attico-Cycladic massifs, and the Phyllites-Quartzites unit of Crete Island. In crystalline rocks, gemstones are related to both regional metamorphic-metasomatic processes (e.g., gem corundums, Mn-andalusite, thulite/clinothulite, spessartine, titanite, jadeite), and to the formation of late alpine-type fissures, such as, for example, quartz, albite, adularia and titanite. The Tertiary (and Mesozoic) magmatic-hydrothermal environments provide gem-quality sapphire, beryl, garnet, vesuvianite, epidote, fluorite, and SiO2 varieties. The supergene oxidation zone of the Lavrion deposit hosts gem-quality smithsonite and azurite. Coloration in the studied material is either due to various chromophore trace elements present in the crystal structure, or due to inclusions of other mineral phases. Future modern exploration methods combined with gemological investigations (such as treatment and faceting of selected stones), are necessary in order to obtain a better knowledge of the gemstone potential of Greece for its possible exploitation.