What is a series in mineralogy ?
Series : definition
In mineralogy, a series is a series of minerals whose chemical composition can vary continuously between them. Extreme compositions are called pure poles. There are discontinuous series for which a chemical element can reach a saturation threshold.
For example : siderite (FeCO3) forms continuous series with magnesite (MgCO3) and calcite (CaCO3), this means that solid solutions CaFeCO3, CaMgCO3 and FeMgCO3 exist with varying proportions of Fe, Mg and Ca. The solid solution containing 50% Ca and 50% Fe is called ankerite and the solid solution containing 50% Ca and 50% Mg is called dolomite.
For example : siderite (FeCO3) forms continuous series with magnesite (MgCO3) and calcite (CaCO3), this means that solid solutions CaFeCO3, CaMgCO3 and FeMgCO3 exist with varying proportions of Fe, Mg and Ca. The solid solution containing 50% Ca and 50% Fe is called ankerite and the solid solution containing 50% Ca and 50% Mg is called dolomite.