A cathodoluminescence and petrographical study of marbles from the Pohorje area in Slovenia

Marbles from the Pohorje area in Slovenia are investigated by mineralogical–petrographical analyses of thin sections as well as by cathodoluminescence in order to detect their local variability in texture and mineral assemblages. The CL colours observed in a cold cathode device are related to the manganese contents. An attempt is made to relate the textures seen under CL to mineral reactions during the process of metamorphism. The predominantly calcite marbles from Pohorje exhibit orange luminescence with some dolomite lenses with red luminescence. The typical mineral assemblages are calcite+tremolite+phlogopite or calcite+dolomite+tremolite+phlogopite. Therefore, the estimated temperature from the stability of mineral assemblage is assumed at approximately 500 °C.