Pegmatites - Earth's Most Amazing Rocks - with Michael Wise, Ph.D.

Why would a research scientist call pegmatites “Earth’s most amazing rocks”? Dr. Michael Wise, from the Department of Mineral Sciences at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History (NMNH), spoke engagingly about his favorite topic. This was also the topic of Mike’s presentation at the 42nd Annual Tucson Mineral Symposium, February 2024, at the Tucson Convention Center, where he had been invited as the keynote speaker for a symposium on pegmatites .
Granitic pegmatites are exceptionally coarse- to gigantic-grained igneous rocks. They are important sources of rare elements essential to a wide range of technological applications. Pegmatite deposits are also the source for some of the world’s best-known gem materials (e.g., aquamarine, emerald, sapphire, topaz, and tourmaline). Dr. Wise presented a strong foundation for understanding the processes that generate them, as well as their value as sources of industrial, technological, and gemological materials.
Dr. Wise got his Ph.D. from the University of Manitoba in 1987 and is a prolific author and speaker. His research in the Department of Mineral Sciences focuses on three broad, but closely linked, disciplines which are the basic research components necessary for a full understanding of the pegmatite-generating process. This presentation distills key insights from his deep expertise in:
• Crystal chemistry and crystal structures of pegmatite materials
• Petrology and geochemistry of pegmatites
• Evolution of granite pegmatite systems
It has always been a pleasure to have Mike speak to the Mineralogical Society of DC. We were delighted to benefit from his presentation and diverse Q&A at our meeting on March 6, 2024. Check our website for upcoming meetings. You’re welcome to be with us. www.mineralogicalsocietyofdc....

[@witherbossbros1157]

This was an excellent presentation on an extraordinarily complex topic of igneous petrology, lighter on the petrogenesis and heavily on the minerology. Indeed, pegmatites rule!

[@user-gw2bi9xr7e]

This is the deeper minerology of Pegmatites I was looking for. Thankyou so much, great video! I was particularly looking to see the change in chemical composition as a pegmatite cools associated with barren quartz deposition followed by mineralized quartz later, and this was fantastic.

[@darickhibbert1624]

I'll work at the mine. I can dig and chisel anything from anywhere. If y'all need help that way. No joke. I also am retired and have 6yrs plumbing experience; doing that to stay active. Raised in Michigan, the black fly and the mosquito are old friends.

[@markphc99]

I now have a deeper insight into the depths of my ignorance about mineralogy, thanks, I guess.

[@kimklinzman2919]

You convinced me! Pegmatites do rule👌

[@bothewolf3466]

Yea, okay, Pegmatities are cool. I'd still rather have a block of Lapis large enough to carve an obnoxious statue in the style of Rodin of a unicorn on a unicycle juggling ukuleles, umbrellas and a single chainsaw. Nice talk, Doc, you rock! XD

[@user-ie1tz5rm8x]

Pigmatights ,r , the best on the planet - if a metiorites hit a pigmatite...how would i tell ?