Mineralogy

The Head of the Chair, professor D.G.Koshchug

At present, at the Department of Mineralogy education of mineralogists and gemologists is crried out under the educational bachelor and master standards approved by Lomonosov Moscow State University. Teaching in special disciplines starts at last course of bachelor curriculum and continues during master program. Special disciplines for the both specialties are Mineralogy, Physics of Minerals, Analytical Techniques, Thermochemistry and Thermodynamics of Minerals, Processing Mineralogy, Economic Evaluation of Mineral Resources, Computer Techniques in Mineralogy, and Gemology. Students specialized in mineralogy learn in details Genetic Mineralogy, Mineralogy of Lithophile Elements, Isotopic Geology and Geochronology, Mineralogy of Diamond Deposits, Extraterrestrial Mineralogy, Panning, Supergene and Environmental Mineralogy. In curriculum for students specialized in gemology more attention is paid to Principal Gemology, Inclusions in Minerals, Gem Deposits, Physics and Gemology of Diamond, Synthetic Analogues of Precious Stones, Processing of Precious Stones, and Scientific Digital Photo. Special and elective courses are given mainly in master programs.

Students have field practice in the Crimea, Urals, and Karelia; work experience internships are carried out in geological crews, department laboratories, research institutes, and other organizations.The researchers are conducted by the members of several scientific groups which deal with diamond deposits, mineralogy and genetic crystal chemistry of rare elements, experimental thermodynamics and thermochemistry of minerals, genetic mineralogy, spectroscopy of minerals, and mineralogy of porphyry-copper deposits. Diamond deposit group deals with wide range of basic problems in natural diamond origin and formation of alkaline ultramafic rocks including diamond deposits and applied problems in diamond prospects and evaluation of diamond content in rocks.

Group of mineralogy and genetic crystal chemistry of rare element works in some linked scientific fields: mineralogy and geochemistry of postmagmatic assemblages and granitic pegmatites; mineralogy, crystal chemistry, and geochemistry of rare elements; crystal chemistry and properties of microporous minerals and their modified and synthetic analogs; supergene zone of ore deposits; and post-eruption mineralogy of the recent volcanoes. Group of experimental thermodynamics and thermochemistry of minerals. The major areas of experimental studies are physicochemical transformation of substances within the wide range of temperature; determination of formation enthalpy of minerals and inorganic materials with high-temperature dissolution calorimetry; determination of high-temperature heat capacity (up to 1000oC) of minerals and inorganic materials, measurement of dehydration, decarbonation, and decomposition enthalpy; thermodynamics of phase transitions; thermochemistry of isomorphic substitutions in minerals of variable composition; and energetic parameters of the order-disorder process in the structures of minerals.

Group of genetic mineralogy works in the following areas: general genetic mineralogy; genetic mineralogy of gold, genetic mineralogy of PGE, genetic mineralogy of ore-bearing altered rocks, and genetic mineralogy of gems.Education is one of the priorities of the group. Conceptually new course on Genetic Mineralogy accompanied with five training manuals has been elaborated. The new course Genetic Mineralogy of Gold has been also elaborated.

Group of mineral spectroscopy is focused on the study of real structures of minerals with electron paramagnetic resonance, infrared and Raman spectroscopy and X-ray computed tomography.

Group of mineralogy of porphyry-copper deposits carries out comprehensive mineralogical and geochemical study of porphyry copper-molybdenum-gold deposits and epithermal gold deposits. These studies are carried out in cooperation with scientists from other departments of Geological Faculty and research institutes of Russian Academy of Sciences. The group participate in field works in the Chukchi Peninsula, Karelia, and Kranoyarsk Krai.

Gemological Center founded in 1995 teaches on the supplementary education programs to receive degree of expert gemologist in diamond, brilliants, gems, jewels, identification, appraisal, and market. In addition to education programs, the center workers examine precious stones, carry out gemological investigation, elaborate novel techniques and equipment to study precious stones, and provide information consulting.

Field works in the Кhibin Mountains

Students studying mineralogy at the field training in gemology in St.-Petersburg