Moissanite, Native Si and Iron Silicide from the Lower Paleozoic sandstones of the Polar Urals

Abstract

At the Lower Paleozoic sandstones of the Manitanyrd Ridge (Є3–O1 mn) moissanite have been recently found. It is established that moissanite is presented by two varieties — crystal fragments and grains with aggregate texture. The last ones are composed of hexagonal moissanite crystals cemented by native Si. In one of such grains the inclusion of iron silicide have been found. Association of moissanite, native Si and iron silicide with iron sulphides and chromite allow to suppose that its formation depended on the presence of unknown bodies of basic and ultrabasic volcanites as a sourcer of gold mineralization.