This study models the mean sizes of X, Y, Z, B and T sites as well as the unit-cell parameters of tourmalines on the basis of their chemical compositions, using previously determined relations between the mean bond lengths in co-ordination polyhedra and the cation populations in those sites. For the octahedral sites of Al-rich tourmalines, these relations also take into account the possible modifying influences of the IInd co-ordination shells. For Al-poor tourmalines, the following relationships were determined: Fe3+, Mg2+ and Ti4+ ions supplementing the deficit of aluminium located at the Z octahedra have an effect on the mean size of the Z site, and these ions have a modifying influence on the adjacent Y sites. For a set of 43 tourmalines from various localities, representing various members of this mineral group, the observed unit-cell parameters were compared with the calculated values. The standard errors SE of the models: acalc. = Kaaobs. and Ccalc. = kccobs. are 0.0 13 Å and 0.008 Å, respectively, and the ka, kc coefficients are close to the theoretical value of 1 within the limits of a statistical error se = 0.0001-0.0002. These values suggest a highly satisfactory agreement of the measured and modelled values and indicate that the determined model equations can be used to predict the structural parameters of tourmalines. On this basis, the model predicts the structural characteristics of all end-member species known in the tourmaline group, assuming the ordering of octahedral ions between Y and Z sites. In some (Fe3+,Al)-rich tourmalines (buergerites and schorls) and Al-rich dravites small differences have sometimes been noted between the observed and predicted values of <Z-O> and <Y-O> mean sizes, as well as the a and c unit-cell parameters; the differences suggest a limited disordering of Fe3+ and Al or Mg and Al between Y and Z sites.

You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.