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St John's Island (Zagbargad; Zabargad; Zebirget; Seberged; Topazios), Red Sea, Egypt

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St John's Island (Topazios Island)

St John's Island, Red Sea, Egypt
Forsterite

St John's Island, Red Sea, Egypt
Peridot

St John's Island, Red Sea, Egypt
St John's Island (Topazios Island)

St John's Island, Red Sea, Egypt
Forsterite

St John's Island, Red Sea, Egypt
Peridot

St John's Island, Red Sea, Egypt
St John's Island (Topazios Island)

St John's Island, Red Sea, Egypt
Forsterite

St John's Island, Red Sea, Egypt
Latitude & Longitude (WGS84): 23° 36' 15'' North , 36° 11' 41'' East
Latitude & Longitude (decimal): 23.60444,36.19500
GeoHash:G#: su1wr9h3u
Locality type:Island


Quaternary volcanic island, 3 x 2 km in size, which is an ancient (3rd century) locality of gem peridot. The gem peridot is found in olivenite dikes with widths in the dm to m scale. These dykes consist of large platy olivine crystals (up to 20 cm) of brown color, with some serpentine in the interstices. They have abundant open cavities which occasionally contain transparent crystals of green peridot. The large brown olivine crystals tend to become inclusion-poor and green in color at the margins, ending in these cavities.

The Greco-Roman name of the island, Topazios, is believed to have given the name to topaz.
Largest of a group of islands in Foul Bay; located 46 km south-east of Ras Banas.

Note: The island is part of the Elba National Park.

Presence of spinel-lherzolites with anhydrous Al-diopside pyroxenites and hydrous Cr-diopside pyroxenites layers.
In the 19th century, geologists re-explored old mines and found interesting nickel deposits, which were later mined in the Nasser era around 1960.

Select Mineral List Type

Standard Detailed Strunz Dana Chemical Elements

Mineral List


19 valid minerals.

Detailed Mineral List:

ⓘ Actinolite
Formula: ☐{Ca2}{Mg4.5-2.5Fe0.5-2.5}(Si8O22)(OH)2
Reference: Eur. J. Mineral. , 1993, 5, pp. 1039-1056.
ⓘ 'Albite-Anorthite Series'
Description: Formed during late decompression stage.
Reference: Eur. J. Mineral. , 1993, 5, pp. 1039-1056.
ⓘ 'Apatite'
Reference: Eur. J. Mineral. , 1993, 5, pp. 1039-1056.
ⓘ Brochantite ?
Formula: Cu4(SO4)(OH)6
Reference: Natural History Museum Vienna (rock) collection
ⓘ 'Clinopyroxene Subgroup'
Reference: Eur. J. Mineral. , 1993, 5, pp. 1039-1056.
ⓘ Cordierite
Formula: (Mg,Fe)2Al3(AlSi5O18)
Reference: Natural History Museum Vienna collection
ⓘ Davyne
Formula: (Na,K)6Ca2(Al6Si6O24)(Cl2,SO4)2
Reference: Bonaccorsi E., Merlino S., Pasero M.(1991): Davyne from Zabargad (St. John's) Island: peculiar chemical and structural features. Acta Vulcanol., 2, 55-63.
Forsterite

St John's Island, Red Sea, Egypt
Forsterite
Formula: Mg2SiO4
Habit: The crystals are elongated along the a-axis so that the brachy pinacoid b(010), which is markedly striated vertically to the c-axis, forms the largest face
Colour: yellowish green to grass green
Description: Composition of gem peridot is Fo92Fa8.
Reference: Eur. J. Mineral. , 1993, 5, pp. 1039-1056.
Peridot

St John's Island, Red Sea, Egypt
ⓘ Forsterite var: Peridot
Formula: Mg2SiO4
Reference: [www.johnbetts-fineminerals.com]
ⓘ Gypsum
Formula: CaSO4 · 2H2O
Reference: Natural History Museum Vienna collection
ⓘ Hercynite
Formula: Fe2+Al2O4
Reference: Eur. J. Mineral. , 1993, 5, pp. 1039-1056.
ⓘ Hercynite var: Picotite
Formula: (Fe,Mg)(Al,Cr)2O4
Reference: Eur. J. Mineral. , 1993, 5, pp. 1039-1056.
ⓘ Ilmenite
Formula: Fe2+TiO3
Reference: Eur. J. Mineral. , 1993, 5, pp. 1039-1056.
ⓘ Kaersutite ?
Formula: {Na}{Ca2}{Mg3AlTi}(Al2Si6O22)O2
Reference: Eur. J. Mineral. , 1993, 5, pp. 1039-1056.
ⓘ Langite
Formula: Cu4(SO4)(OH)6 · 2H2O
Reference: Natural History Museum Vienna (rock) collection
ⓘ Lizardite
Formula: Mg3(Si2O5)(OH)4
Reference: Natural History Museum Vienna (rock) collection
ⓘ Magnesio-hornblende
Formula: ☐{Ca2}{Mg4Al}(AlSi7O22)(OH)2
Reference: Eur. J. Mineral. , 1993, 5, pp. 1039-1056.
ⓘ Magnesite
Formula: MgCO3
Reference: Natural History Museum Vienna (rock) collection
ⓘ Magnetite
Formula: Fe2+Fe3+2O4
Reference: Eur. J. Mineral. , 1993, 5, pp. 1039-1056.
ⓘ Magnetite var: Titaniferous Magnetite
Formula: Fe2+(Fe3+,Ti)2O4
Reference: Eur. J. Mineral. , 1993, 5, pp. 1039-1056.
ⓘ 'Orthopyroxene Subgroup'
Reference: Eur. J. Mineral. , 1993, 5, pp. 1039-1056.
ⓘ Pargasite
Formula: {Na}{Ca2}{Mg4Al}(Al2Si6O22)(OH)2
Description: Ti-pargasites.
Reference: Eur. J. Mineral. , 1993, 5, pp. 1039-1056.
ⓘ Phlogopite
Formula: KMg3(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Description: Ti-phlogopite in Cr-diopside pyroxenits.
Reference: Eur. J. Mineral. , 1993, 5, pp. 1039-1056; Natural History Museum Vienna collection (in association with cordierite and rutile)
ⓘ Rutile
Formula: TiO2
Reference: Natural History Museum Vienna collection
ⓘ Spinel
Formula: MgAl2O4
Description: - Cr/Al spinels in lherzolites - Al/Mg green spinels in Al-diopside pyroxenites
Reference: Eur. J. Mineral. , 1993, 5, pp. 1039-1056.
ⓘ Tremolite
Formula: ☐{Ca2}{Mg5}(Si8O22)(OH)2
Reference: Eur. J. Mineral. , 1993, 5, pp. 1039-1056.

List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification

Group 4 - Oxides and Hydroxides
ⓘ'Hercynite'4.BB.05Fe2+Al2O4
ⓘvar: Picotite4.BB.05(Fe,Mg)(Al,Cr)2O4
ⓘ'Ilmenite'4.CB.05Fe2+TiO3
ⓘ'Magnetite'4.BB.05Fe2+Fe3+2O4
ⓘvar: Titaniferous Magnetite4.BB.05Fe2+(Fe3+,Ti)2O4
ⓘRutile4.DB.05TiO2
ⓘSpinel4.BB.05MgAl2O4
Group 5 - Nitrates and Carbonates
ⓘ'Magnesite'5.AB.05MgCO3
Group 7 - Sulphates, Chromates, Molybdates and Tungstates
ⓘ'Brochantite' ?7.BB.25Cu4(SO4)(OH)6
ⓘ'Gypsum'7.CD.40CaSO4 · 2H2O
ⓘ'Langite'7.DD.10Cu4(SO4)(OH)6 · 2H2O
Group 9 - Silicates
ⓘ'Actinolite'9.DE.10☐{Ca2}{Mg4.5-2.5Fe0.5-2.5}(Si8O22)(OH)2
ⓘ'Cordierite'9.CJ.10(Mg,Fe)2Al3(AlSi5O18)
ⓘ'Davyne'9.FB.05(Na,K)6Ca2(Al6Si6O24)(Cl2,SO4)2
ⓘ'Forsterite'9.AC.05Mg2SiO4
ⓘvar: Peridot9.AC.05Mg2SiO4
ⓘ'Kaersutite' ?9.DE.15{Na}{Ca2}{Mg3AlTi}(Al2Si6O22)O2
ⓘ'Lizardite'9.ED.15Mg3(Si2O5)(OH)4
ⓘ'Magnesio-hornblende'9.DE.10☐{Ca2}{Mg4Al}(AlSi7O22)(OH)2
ⓘ'Pargasite'9.DE.15{Na}{Ca2}{Mg4Al}(Al2Si6O22)(OH)2
ⓘPhlogopite9.EC.20KMg3(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
ⓘTremolite9.DE.10☐{Ca2}{Mg5}(Si8O22)(OH)2
Unclassified Minerals, Rocks, etc.
ⓘ'Albite-Anorthite Series'-
ⓘ'Apatite'-
ⓘ'Clinopyroxene Subgroup'-
ⓘ'Orthopyroxene Subgroup'-

List of minerals arranged by Dana 8th Edition classification

Group 4 - SIMPLE OXIDES
A2X3
ⓘIlmenite4.3.5.1Fe2+TiO3
AX2
ⓘRutile4.4.1.1TiO2
Group 7 - MULTIPLE OXIDES
AB2X4
ⓘHercynite7.2.1.3Fe2+Al2O4
ⓘMagnetite7.2.2.3Fe2+Fe3+2O4
ⓘSpinel7.2.1.1MgAl2O4
Group 14 - ANHYDROUS NORMAL CARBONATES
A(XO3)
ⓘMagnesite14.1.1.2MgCO3
Group 29 - HYDRATED ACID AND NORMAL SULFATES
AXO4·xH2O
ⓘGypsum29.6.3.1CaSO4 · 2H2O
Group 30 - ANHYDROUS SULFATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
(AB)m(XO4)pZq, where m:p>2:1
ⓘBrochantite ?30.1.3.1Cu4(SO4)(OH)6
Group 31 - HYDRATED SULFATES CONTAINING HYDROXYL OR HALOGEN
(AB)4(XO4)Zq·xH2O
ⓘLangite31.4.3.1Cu4(SO4)(OH)6 · 2H2O
Group 51 - NESOSILICATES Insular SiO4 Groups Only
Insular SiO4 Groups Only with all cations in octahedral [6] coordination
ⓘForsterite51.3.1.2Mg2SiO4
Group 61 - CYCLOSILICATES Six-Membered Rings
Six-Membered Rings with Al substituted rings
ⓘCordierite61.2.1.1(Mg,Fe)2Al3(AlSi5O18)
Group 66 - INOSILICATES Double-Width,Unbranched Chains,(W=2)
Amphiboles - Mg-Fe-Mn-Li subgroup
ⓘKaersutite ?66.1.3a.18{Na}{Ca2}{Mg3AlTi}(Al2Si6O22)O2
ⓘPargasite66.1.3a.12{Na}{Ca2}{Mg4Al}(Al2Si6O22)(OH)2
ⓘTremolite66.1.3a.1☐{Ca2}{Mg5}(Si8O22)(OH)2
Group 71 - PHYLLOSILICATES Sheets of Six-Membered Rings
Sheets of 6-membered rings with 1:1 layers
ⓘLizardite71.1.2b.2Mg3(Si2O5)(OH)4
Sheets of 6-membered rings with 2:1 layers
ⓘPhlogopite71.2.2b.1KMg3(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Group 76 - TECTOSILICATES Al-Si Framework
Al-Si Framework Feldspathoids and related species
ⓘDavyne76.2.5.5(Na,K)6Ca2(Al6Si6O24)(Cl2,SO4)2
Unclassified Minerals, Rocks, etc.
ⓘActinolite-☐{Ca2}{Mg4.5-2.5Fe0.5-2.5}(Si8O22)(OH)2
ⓘ'Albite-Anorthite Series'-
ⓘ'Apatite'-
ⓘ'Clinopyroxene Subgroup'-
ⓘForsterite
var: Peridot		-Mg2SiO4
ⓘHercynite
var: Picotite		-(Fe,Mg)(Al,Cr)2O4
ⓘMagnesio-hornblende-☐{Ca2}{Mg4Al}(AlSi7O22)(OH)2
ⓘMagnetite
var: Titaniferous Magnetite		-Fe2+(Fe3+,Ti)2O4
ⓘ'Orthopyroxene Subgroup'-

List of minerals for each chemical element

HHydrogen
Hⓘ Actinolite☐{Ca2}{Mg4.5-2.5Fe0.5-2.5}(Si8O22)(OH)2
Hⓘ BrochantiteCu4(SO4)(OH)6
Hⓘ GypsumCaSO4 · 2H2O
Hⓘ LangiteCu4(SO4)(OH)6 · 2H2O
Hⓘ LizarditeMg3(Si2O5)(OH)4
Hⓘ Magnesio-hornblende☐{Ca2}{Mg4Al}(AlSi7O22)(OH)2
Hⓘ Pargasite{Na}{Ca2}{Mg4Al}(Al2Si6O22)(OH)2
Hⓘ PhlogopiteKMg3(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Hⓘ Tremolite☐{Ca2}{Mg5}(Si8O22)(OH)2
CCarbon
Cⓘ MagnesiteMgCO3
OOxygen
Oⓘ Actinolite☐{Ca2}{Mg4.5-2.5Fe0.5-2.5}(Si8O22)(OH)2
Oⓘ BrochantiteCu4(SO4)(OH)6
Oⓘ Cordierite(Mg,Fe)2Al3(AlSi5O18)
Oⓘ Davyne(Na,K)6Ca2(Al6Si6O24)(Cl2,SO4)2
Oⓘ ForsteriteMg2SiO4
Oⓘ GypsumCaSO4 · 2H2O
Oⓘ HercyniteFe2+Al2O4
Oⓘ IlmeniteFe2+TiO3
Oⓘ Kaersutite{Na}{Ca2}{Mg3AlTi}(Al2Si6O22)O2
Oⓘ LangiteCu4(SO4)(OH)6 · 2H2O
Oⓘ LizarditeMg3(Si2O5)(OH)4
Oⓘ Magnesio-hornblende☐{Ca2}{Mg4Al}(AlSi7O22)(OH)2
Oⓘ MagnesiteMgCO3
Oⓘ MagnetiteFe2+Fe23+O4
Oⓘ Pargasite{Na}{Ca2}{Mg4Al}(Al2Si6O22)(OH)2
Oⓘ Forsterite (var: Peridot)Mg2SiO4
Oⓘ PhlogopiteKMg3(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Oⓘ Hercynite (var: Picotite)(Fe,Mg)(Al,Cr)2O4
Oⓘ RutileTiO2
Oⓘ SpinelMgAl2O4
Oⓘ Magnetite (var: Titaniferous Magnetite)Fe2+(Fe3+,Ti)2O4
Oⓘ Tremolite☐{Ca2}{Mg5}(Si8O22)(OH)2
NaSodium
Naⓘ Davyne(Na,K)6Ca2(Al6Si6O24)(Cl2,SO4)2
Naⓘ Kaersutite{Na}{Ca2}{Mg3AlTi}(Al2Si6O22)O2
Naⓘ Pargasite{Na}{Ca2}{Mg4Al}(Al2Si6O22)(OH)2
MgMagnesium
Mgⓘ Actinolite☐{Ca2}{Mg4.5-2.5Fe0.5-2.5}(Si8O22)(OH)2
Mgⓘ Cordierite(Mg,Fe)2Al3(AlSi5O18)
Mgⓘ ForsteriteMg2SiO4
Mgⓘ Kaersutite{Na}{Ca2}{Mg3AlTi}(Al2Si6O22)O2
Mgⓘ LizarditeMg3(Si2O5)(OH)4
Mgⓘ Magnesio-hornblende☐{Ca2}{Mg4Al}(AlSi7O22)(OH)2
Mgⓘ MagnesiteMgCO3
Mgⓘ Pargasite{Na}{Ca2}{Mg4Al}(Al2Si6O22)(OH)2
Mgⓘ Forsterite (var: Peridot)Mg2SiO4
Mgⓘ PhlogopiteKMg3(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Mgⓘ Hercynite (var: Picotite)(Fe,Mg)(Al,Cr)2O4
Mgⓘ SpinelMgAl2O4
Mgⓘ Tremolite☐{Ca2}{Mg5}(Si8O22)(OH)2
AlAluminium
Alⓘ Cordierite(Mg,Fe)2Al3(AlSi5O18)
Alⓘ Davyne(Na,K)6Ca2(Al6Si6O24)(Cl2,SO4)2
Alⓘ HercyniteFe2+Al2O4
Alⓘ Kaersutite{Na}{Ca2}{Mg3AlTi}(Al2Si6O22)O2
Alⓘ Magnesio-hornblende☐{Ca2}{Mg4Al}(AlSi7O22)(OH)2
Alⓘ Pargasite{Na}{Ca2}{Mg4Al}(Al2Si6O22)(OH)2
Alⓘ PhlogopiteKMg3(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Alⓘ Hercynite (var: Picotite)(Fe,Mg)(Al,Cr)2O4
Alⓘ SpinelMgAl2O4
SiSilicon
Siⓘ Actinolite☐{Ca2}{Mg4.5-2.5Fe0.5-2.5}(Si8O22)(OH)2
Siⓘ Cordierite(Mg,Fe)2Al3(AlSi5O18)
Siⓘ Davyne(Na,K)6Ca2(Al6Si6O24)(Cl2,SO4)2
Siⓘ ForsteriteMg2SiO4
Siⓘ Kaersutite{Na}{Ca2}{Mg3AlTi}(Al2Si6O22)O2
Siⓘ LizarditeMg3(Si2O5)(OH)4
Siⓘ Magnesio-hornblende☐{Ca2}{Mg4Al}(AlSi7O22)(OH)2
Siⓘ Pargasite{Na}{Ca2}{Mg4Al}(Al2Si6O22)(OH)2
Siⓘ Forsterite (var: Peridot)Mg2SiO4
Siⓘ PhlogopiteKMg3(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
Siⓘ Tremolite☐{Ca2}{Mg5}(Si8O22)(OH)2
SSulfur
Sⓘ BrochantiteCu4(SO4)(OH)6
Sⓘ Davyne(Na,K)6Ca2(Al6Si6O24)(Cl2,SO4)2
Sⓘ GypsumCaSO4 · 2H2O
Sⓘ LangiteCu4(SO4)(OH)6 · 2H2O
ClChlorine
Clⓘ Davyne(Na,K)6Ca2(Al6Si6O24)(Cl2,SO4)2
KPotassium
Kⓘ Davyne(Na,K)6Ca2(Al6Si6O24)(Cl2,SO4)2
Kⓘ PhlogopiteKMg3(AlSi3O10)(OH)2
CaCalcium
Caⓘ Actinolite☐{Ca2}{Mg4.5-2.5Fe0.5-2.5}(Si8O22)(OH)2
Caⓘ Davyne(Na,K)6Ca2(Al6Si6O24)(Cl2,SO4)2
Caⓘ GypsumCaSO4 · 2H2O
Caⓘ Kaersutite{Na}{Ca2}{Mg3AlTi}(Al2Si6O22)O2
Caⓘ Magnesio-hornblende☐{Ca2}{Mg4Al}(AlSi7O22)(OH)2
Caⓘ Pargasite{Na}{Ca2}{Mg4Al}(Al2Si6O22)(OH)2
Caⓘ Tremolite☐{Ca2}{Mg5}(Si8O22)(OH)2
TiTitanium
Tiⓘ IlmeniteFe2+TiO3
Tiⓘ Kaersutite{Na}{Ca2}{Mg3AlTi}(Al2Si6O22)O2
Tiⓘ RutileTiO2
Tiⓘ Magnetite (var: Titaniferous Magnetite)Fe2+(Fe3+,Ti)2O4
CrChromium
Crⓘ Hercynite (var: Picotite)(Fe,Mg)(Al,Cr)2O4
FeIron
Feⓘ Actinolite☐{Ca2}{Mg4.5-2.5Fe0.5-2.5}(Si8O22)(OH)2
Feⓘ Cordierite(Mg,Fe)2Al3(AlSi5O18)
Feⓘ HercyniteFe2+Al2O4
Feⓘ IlmeniteFe2+TiO3
Feⓘ MagnetiteFe2+Fe23+O4
Feⓘ Hercynite (var: Picotite)(Fe,Mg)(Al,Cr)2O4
Feⓘ Magnetite (var: Titaniferous Magnetite)Fe2+(Fe3+,Ti)2O4
CuCopper
Cuⓘ BrochantiteCu4(SO4)(OH)6
Cuⓘ LangiteCu4(SO4)(OH)6 · 2H2O

References

Sort by

Year (asc) Year (desc) Author (A-Z) Author (Z-A)
Gaius Plinius Secundus (AD77–79) Naturalis Historiae
James Raymond Wellsted (1838) Travels in Arabia. Published by Murray in London, 508 pages.
Wilson, W. (1976) Famous Mineral Localities: Saint John's Island, Egypt. Mineralogical Record: 7(6): 310-314.
Gübelin, E. (1980) Seberged, die Peridot-Insel im Roten Meer. Lapis: 5(11): 19-26.
Kurat, G., Niedermayr, G., Prinz, M. (1982) Peridot von Zabargad. Rotes Meer. Aufschluss: 33(5): 169-182.
Bosch, D. (1991) Introduction d’eau de mer dans le diaper mantellique de Zabargad (Mer Rouge) d’après les isotopes du Sr et du Nd. C.R. Acad, Sci- Paris: t.313: Sèrie II: 49-56.
Kurat, G., Palme, H., Eembey-Isztin, A., Touret, J., Ntaflos, T., Spettel, B., Brandstatter, F., Dreibus, G., Prinz, M. (1993) Petrology and geochemistry of peridotites and associated vein rocks of Zabargad Island, Red Sea, Egypt. Mineral. Petrol.: 48: 309-341.
Boullier, A.M., Firdaous, K., Boudier, F. (1997) Fluid circulation related to deformation in the Zabargad gneisses (Red Sea rift). Tectonophysics: 279: 281-302.
Harrell, J., Bloxam, E. (2010) Egypt’s evening emeralds-Peridot mining on Zabargad Island. Minerva: 21(6): 18-22.
Gjerazi, I., Ntaflos, T. (2014) Petrology of pyroxenitic vein in spinel-plagioclas lherzolites from Zabargad island, Red Sea, Egypt. Geophysical Research Abstracts: 16: EGU2014-13367.

Mindat Articles

Peridot from St. John's / Zabargad Island by Olav Revheim


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