Mineralogy of agate gemstone in Quaternary deposits, Southeastern Basrah, Iraq

Abstract

AbstractA mineral-geological study was conducted for the dispersion agate that spread on the surface of the Dibdibba desert within the border of Basrah Governorate -Southern Iraq. The collected stones were studied using polarized microscopy, XRD and EDX- SEM techniques to determine their mineral and chemical composition. Five types have been distinguished: white, colloidal, banded, cluster, and fleshy. It is believed that these stones are part of the gravels that are included in the components of clastics Dibdibba Formation, it forming resulting of the erosion of the igneous and metamorphic rocks that related to Arabian Shield, which were moved by torrential waters and seasonal floods to long distances and cumulated in that area. Several mechanical operations affected these stones like crushing, sorting, and polishing which contributed to their appearance and exposure on the surface of the earth.