Минералогия (Jun 2015)

MICROINCLUSIONS OF PGM MINERALS IN ANCIENT GOLD PRODUCTS: OCCURRENCE, COMPOSITION, ALTERATION

  • V.V. Zaykov,
  • P.K. Dashkovsky,
  • E.V. Zaykova,
  • V.A. Kotlyarov,
  • A.M. Yuminov,
  • I.A. Blinov

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 1, no. 2
pp. 38 – 57

Abstract

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The PGM microinclusions in ancient gold products from the Urals, Siberia, Azov region and Turkmenistan are compared with similar inclusions from the Middle East artifacts. Microinclusions were found in the archaeological sites, which are located close to gold- and platinum-bearing ultramafic massifs. The typical size of microinclusions is 5–20 μm, rare 100 μm. Traces of impact of the gold melt on morphology and composition of microinclusions are expressed in formation of a halo of fine PGM particles around the large grains with decreased Os contents. The composition of microinclusions is compared with composition of natural PGM grains from placers and ultramafic massifs.

Keywords