Micro-XRF Mapping of Chemically Zoned Beryl: Fast, Non-Destructive, and Precise

Beryl (Be 3 Al 2 Si 6 O 18 ) is a chemically complex gem-forming mineral with highly variable composition found in geologic settings worldwide. It is an important mineral for understanding fractionation in magma bodies with economic concentrations of critical metals such as lithium, beryllium, cesium, and tantalum. Trace element distribution in single crystals can be critical to unravel crystallization history and degree of magmatic fractionation. In pegmatites, beryl may form euhedral megacrystals that are commonly too large to examine in detail through conventional microanalytical techniques. These techniques can include LA-ICP-MS, electron microprobe, FTIR, and X-Ray diffraction. Collecting this information with these techniques can be time-and sample preparation-intensive and may not be suitable for large samples.