Elvan
A rock subtype
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About Elvan
A Cornish mining term for dyke rocks of granitic composition generally containing phenocrysts of quartz and orthoclase with tourmaline occurring as isolated crystals and radiating groups.
Many of the elvan dykes in Cornwall are barren of ore minerals, but there are also a number of examples of elvan dykes carrying workable values of tin.
Probably the most notable occurrence of such a 'stanniferous' elvan is the Wherry Rocks which was worked in the 18th century and again albeit unsuccessfully in the 19th century (see third image above for a good example of the Wherry stanniferous elvan).
Other examples of stanniferous elvan occurrences include North Parbola Mine, Wheal Maid Decline / Great Consolidated Mines, Perran St George Mine, Old Castle An Dinas Mine (not to be confused with the later tungsten mine) and Hobbs Hill Mine.
Barren elvans where often quarried for building stone and in some instances where the feldspar content had altered to clay, they have been worked for brick making.
see also https://www.mindat.org/mesg-632230.html
Many of the elvan dykes in Cornwall are barren of ore minerals, but there are also a number of examples of elvan dykes carrying workable values of tin.
Probably the most notable occurrence of such a 'stanniferous' elvan is the Wherry Rocks which was worked in the 18th century and again albeit unsuccessfully in the 19th century (see third image above for a good example of the Wherry stanniferous elvan).
Other examples of stanniferous elvan occurrences include North Parbola Mine, Wheal Maid Decline / Great Consolidated Mines, Perran St George Mine, Old Castle An Dinas Mine (not to be confused with the later tungsten mine) and Hobbs Hill Mine.
Barren elvans where often quarried for building stone and in some instances where the feldspar content had altered to clay, they have been worked for brick making.
see also https://www.mindat.org/mesg-632230.html
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
51192
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:51192:8
GUID
(UUID V4):
(UUID V4):
cb6b013a-de9c-4217-94e7-2b0ab0f381ea
Classification of Elvan
Mineralogy of Elvan
Essential minerals - these are minerals that are required within the classification of this rock:
| Feldspar > Alkali Feldspar > Orthoclase | K(AlSi3O8) |
| Feldspar > Plagioclase | (Na,Ca)[(Si,Al)AlSi2]O8 |
| Silica > Quartz | SiO2 |
| Tourmaline | AD3G6 (T6O18)(BO3)3X3Z |
Non-essential minerals - these minerals are common, sometimes major components, but are not always present:
| Cassiterite | SnO2 |
Pronunciation of Elvan
Pronunciation:
| Play | Recorded by | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Jolyon & Katya Ralph | United Kingdom |
Synonyms of Elvan
Common Associates
Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:
| 6 photos of Elvan associated with Cassiterite | SnO2 |
Internet Links for Elvan
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-51192.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
References for Elvan
Reference List:
Localities for Elvan
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
UK | |
| Dale Foster: ... |
| Dale Foster Collection |
| Paul De Bondt collection |
Wheal Maid Decline, St Day, Gwennap, Cornwall, England, UK