[Rockhounds] unusual question

[Dennis Buffenmyer]

My up front apologies for reposting the original message, but, it was so 
concise, and informative, I felt it should be on everyone's "read it 
here" list. My questions were understood, answered, and re-inforced with 
references. Well done!

On 11/14/2018 6:45 PM, Paul wrote:
> In "unusual question," Dennis wrote,
>
> >must preface this question with the fact
> >that I have very little formal training in
> >chemistry and geology,
>
> I am not an expert in mineralogy myself.
> However, I suspect that if I am terribly wrong
> in my answers, other members of this
> list will let the both of us know in
> uncertain terms.
>
> >but greatly enjoy the hobby of mineral
> >collecting on many levels.
>
> The Fossil Forum also has a mineral section for
> mineral collectors. However, it is only visible
> to registered users. The Fossil forum is at:
> http://www.thefossilforum.com/index.php?
>
> >Some time ago in generally discussing
> >minerals, and specifically zeolites, I came up
> >with one of "my" questions. Where did the
> >aluminum come from? I asked. The reply was
> >unusual but perhaps convincing. I was told
> >that aluminum is nearly "ubiquitous" or
> >everywhere.
>
> The aluminum is "ubiquitous" as part of the
> minerals that form rocks, typically volcanic
> rocks, and natural glasses, primarily volcanic
> ash. The aluminum is made available for the
> formation of zeolites from these rocks and
> natural glasses when they are either
> dissolved or altered by alkaline ground,
> formation, or marine waters.
>
> >I was wondering if Potassium falls into the
> same category as "ubiquitous". I would think
> >you would need some eroded deeper seated
> >material to derive potassium.
>
> Cations such as sodium, potassium,
> magnesium, calcium, and barium can all
> form zeolites. Potassium is not necessarily
> needed to form zeolites if other of the above
> zeolites are present. When present,
> potassium typically can come from either
> the alkaline water; altered volcanic rock or
> glass; or some combination of the two.
> sources.
>
> >Is there a metamorphic rock type that is
> >completely devoid of aluminum or potassium?
>
> Rare quartzites can be quite pure and contain
> only very small amounts of aluminum and
> potassium. For example, high purity quartzites
> can be found in Norway. For example.
>
> Müller, A., Ihlen, P.M., Wanvik, J.E. and Flem,
> B., 2007. High-purity quartz mineralisation
> in kyanite quartzites, Norway. Mineralium
> Deposita, 42(5), pp.523-535.
> http://www.uvm.edu/~lewebb/TitaniQ/Pat/Analytical/Mueller%20et%20al%202007%20kyanite%20qtzt.pdf 
>
>
> Petrological and Chemical Characterisation of
> High-Purity Quartz Deposits with Examples
> from Norway. in J. Götze and R. Möckel, eds.,
> pp. 71-118, Quartz: Deposits, Mineralogy
>  and Analytics, Springer-Verlag, Berlin, Germany.
> DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-22161-3_4
> https://www.researchgate.net/publication/258049498_Petrological_and_Chemical_Characterisation_of_High-Purity_Quartz_Deposits_with_Examples_from_Norway 
>
>
> Although they are high purity, they are
> still not "completely devoid" of aluminum and
> other
>
> >If in the case of stellerite, if there was NO
> >aluminum present to form stellerite what
> >would it form?
>
> It would not form.
>
> >Or is there vacant space where the
> >aluminum would fit?
>
> No.
>
> >In the case of erionite, is it possible to be
> >missing potassium and still construct
> >the same mineral??
>
> There are Erionite-Ca and Erionite-Na.
> as seen in “Erionite Series” at
> http://www.iza-online.org/natural/Datasheets/Erionite/erionite.htm
>
> Although potassium is not the dominant
> cation in Erionite-Ca and Erionite-Na, the
> some potassium needs to be present for
> it to be erionite.
>
> Yours,
>
> Paul H.
>
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