Formation of the Denchai gem sapphires, northern Thailand; evidence from mineral chemistry and fluid/melt inclusion characteristics

The Denchai gem sapphire deposits in Phrae Province, northern Thailand are closely associated with late Cenozoic alkaline basaltic rocks. The sapphires occur in alluvial placer deposits in palaeo-channels at shallow depths. Electron microprobe analysis of minor and trace element contents (Fe, Ti, Cr, Ga and V) of the sapphires indicate the following oxide abundances: Fe (sub 2) O (sub 3) (0.32-1.98 wt.%), TiO (sub 2) (0.01-0.23 wt.%), Cr (sub 2) O (sub 3) (<0.01 wt.%), Ga (sub 2) O (sub 3) (0.01-0.03 wt.%) and V (sub 2) O (sub 5) (<0.03 wt.%). Optical studies of sapphires revealed three types of primary fluid/melt inclusions. CO (sub 2) -rich inclusions (Type I) contain three phases (LH (sub 2) O+LCO (sub 2) +V) with the vapour phase comprising <10-15 vol.%. The presence of CO (sub 2) was confirmed by microthermometry and laser Raman analysis. Polyphase inclusions (Type II) (vapour+liquid+solid) contain a fluid bubble (20-30 vol.%), an aqueous phase (10-15 vol.%) and several solid phases. Silicate-melt inclusions (Type III) comprise vapour bubbles, silicate glass and solid phases. Proton-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) analysis revealed high concentrations of K ( approximately 4 wt.%) as well as Ca ( approximately 0.5 wt.%), Ti ( approximately 1 wt.%), Fe ( approximately 2 wt.%), Mn ( approximately 0.1 wt.%), V (<0.03 wt.%), Rb ( approximately 70 ppm) and Zr ( approximately 200 ppm) in the silicate glass. The Ga (sub 2) O (sub 3) abundances and Cr (sub 2) O (sub 3) /Ga (sub 2) O (sub 3) values (<1) of the sapphires favour their formation by magmatic processes. The presence of CO (sub 2) -rich fluids and high K concentrations in the silicate melt inclusions link the origin of the Denchai gem sapphires to CO (sub 2) -rich alkaline magmatism.