Two Mg-Al spinels (FAS1 and FAS2) in high-grade hornfels from the Toal de Mason skarn (Predazzo Monzoni, NE Italy) were investigated by means of single crystal X-ray diffraction and electron microprobe analysis in order to evaluate the last intra-crystalline closure temperature.
The evidence provided by crystal chemical data from the investigated spinels, compared with that for two other spinels from a websterite dyke and a chlorite schist (TS2 and SP78a, respectively) with similar chemical characteristics, yielded a new empirical geothermometer. This allowed estimation of intra-crystalline temperatures as low as c. 400°C and indicates that the closure temperature of FAS1 and FAS2 is c. 500°C i.e. 150–200°C lower than the spinel crystallisation temperature.
