Theses and Dissertations Collection

Since the 1930’s when the first garnet mine opened, garnet derived from the mica schist within the Emerald Creek Area has generated wide-spread interest for both the abrasive mining industry and gem hunters. The purpose of this thesis is to further define the garnet composition and distribution within the study area. Within the study area, a syncline composed metamorphosed sediments of the Belt Supergroup Wallace Formation is present. The primary unit containing significant amounts of garnet across the central hinge of the syncline is a garnet mica schist.

Samples of schist were collected from the East Fork Emerald Creek, West Fork Emerald Creek, and Carpenter Creek drainages. These samples were studied to determine the varying mineral inclusions present within the schist, and the relative garnet grain size.

Additionally, garnet samples from these and other surrounding drainages were analyzed using electron micro probe analysis, wavelength dispersive x-ray fluorescence, and x-ray diffraction.