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 Post subject: The geological formations in Myanmar
PostPosted: Fri Sep 08, 2006 8:03 pm 
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I'm working on a short pm for my teacher in geology about the geological formation and occurence of a gemstone of my choice, and chose the once rarest gem on Earth, painite. Now, after some brief research I've realized that I might've tried to take too big a bite, or too small, since it seems to be very difficult to get any reliable data on the geological formations behind painite.

I've found a lot about physical properties but almost nothing about the geology of it's formation or occurence. So far I've only seen a brief comment on Prof. G. R. Rossman's site about painite (http://minerals.gps.caltech.edu/FILE...nite/Index.htm) stating that matrix specimens with a ruby and biotite skarn formation has been found in Kyauk Pyar Thart, Burma, at the contact zone of leocogranite and marble.

I know what contact metamorphosis means in general, but I've found nothing useful (=more than a comment in passing) about when, how or where the mountains in western Mogok formed or what has happened to them along their trip to present location.

Can anyone help me out in this matter? Anything would be helpful!

Best regards,
JK

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PostPosted: Sat Sep 09, 2006 11:27 pm 
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Here's a direct link to Vincent Pardieu's painite study which also includes links to other painite studies: http://www.aigslaboratory.com/painite.php

Here are some existing links on our forum for painite:

http://gemologyonline.com/Forum/phpBB2/ ... ht=painite

http://gemologyonline.com/Forum/phpBB2/ ... ht=painite

http://gemologyonline.com/Forum/phpBB2/ ... ht=painite


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PostPosted: Sun Sep 10, 2006 5:36 am 
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Hi Snizzy! Thank you for the links! I've already visited them though, and although they contains a lot of physical characteristics there's little on geology, but thank you anyway! :)

Anyone who know about any other references? It needn't be on painite as such, just on what the geology looks like in the area painite's found.

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PostPosted: Sun Sep 10, 2006 9:01 am 
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Quote:
GEOLOGY
Burma ruby, Mogok Stone Tract, Pala International, ruby, gems, mineral specimens, Burma, sapphire, MogokThe mountains around Mogok trend north-south and are part of the eastern Himalayan orogenic system formed by the collision of the Indian sub-continental plate into the Eurasian continent 40–60 million years ago. This tectonic activity was the engine for the resulting regional and contact metamorphism responsible for the ultimate creation of the corundums mined in the mountain valley of Mogok. Simply put, this metamorphism resulted in desilication (removal of SiO2) of the surrounding dolomitic limestone through initial crystallization of diopside = CaMg(SiO3)3 and olivine = Mg2SiO4; then subsequently, spinel = MgAl2O4, thereby allowing for the crystallization of corundum = Al2O3. Trace concentrations of the element chromium (Cr) allow the formation of the ruby variety, while traces of iron (Fe) and/or titanium (Ti) are responsible for blue sapphire. After growth in the mother rock, primary crystals were later transported by water or alluvial erosion to their present placer positions in the valley where they are still being mined today. In the past, mining consisted primarily of removal of overburden by hand to reach the gem rich gravels known as byon. Efforts to expand primary tunnel mining are progressing as demand for more material increases.


http://72.14.221.104/search?q=cache:D3N5tp1T5akJ:www.palagems.com/gem_spectrum1.2.htm+burma+geology+mogok&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=2


This one is a bit too long for quoting here:
http://72.14.221.104/search?q=cache:Gb8zFpl7bk8J:research.amnh.org/users/gharlow/GIA_Mogok_Abs_PP.pdf+burma+geology+mogok&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=44

If I were you, I would consider contacting some of the oil companies who operate or operated in Myanmar. Premier Oil, http://www.premieroil.com/render.aspx?siteID=1&navIDs=19,20,29 or maybe Texaco's geology departments could give you a good oversite on the geology of the country.[/url]


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PostPosted: Sun Sep 10, 2006 9:24 am 
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Great tips Africanuck! I think your links'll cover most of what I need to know! Many thanks :!: :)

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PostPosted: Sun Sep 10, 2006 10:10 am 
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Excellent tips Africanuck.
Here in the US, I would recommend contacting the Geological Survey, as they have mapped (geologically) every quadrant of the country. I don't know if there is an equivalent in Myanmar.


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PostPosted: Sun Sep 10, 2006 10:30 am 
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Here' an interesting article. See the last few paragraphs concerning the problems of collecting current geological information.

http://www.discover.com/issues/nov-04/d ... of-rubies/


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PostPosted: Sun Sep 10, 2006 10:31 am 
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You are more than welcome JK.

Barbra, I'd be curious to know if the Myanmar regime didn't consider that sort of info "sensitive" and not allow the release of it.


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