Linear Structural Trends and Multi-Phase Intergrowths in Helvine-Group Minerals, (Zn,Fe,Mn)8[Be6Si6O24]S2

Abstract

Synchrotron high-resolution powder X-ray diffraction (HRPXRD) and Rietveld structure refinements were used to examine the crystal structure of single phases and intergrowths (either two or three phases) in 13 samples of the helvine-group minerals, (Zn,Fe,Mn)8[Be6Si6O24]S2. The helvine structure was refined in the cubic space group P4¯3n. For the intergrowths, simultaneous refinements were carried out for each phase. The structural parameters for each phase in an intergrowth are only slightly different from each other. Each phase in an intergrowth has well-defined unit-cell and structural parameters that are significantly different from the three endmembers and these do not represent exsolution or immiscibility gaps in the ternary solid-solution series. The reason for the intergrowths in the helvine-group minerals is not clear considering the similar radii, identical charge, and diffusion among the interstitial M cations (Zn2+, Fe2+, and Mn2+) that are characteristic of elongated tetrahedral coordination. The difference between the radii of Zn2+ and Mn2+ cations is 10%. Depending on the availability of the M cations, intergrowths may occur as the temperature, pressure, fugacity fS2, and fluid composition change on crystallization. The Be–Si atoms are fully ordered. The Be–O and Si–O distances are nearly constant. Several structural parameters (Be–O–Si bridging angle, M–O, M–S, average <M–O/S>[4] distances, and TO4 rotational angles) vary linearly with the a unit-cell parameter across the series because of the size of the M cation.