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An International Journal ofMineralogy, Crystallography, Geochemistry,Ore Deposits, Petrology, Volcanologyand applied topics on Environment, Archaeometry and Cultural Heritage

PERIODICO di MINERALOGIAestablished in 1930

In MemoriamGiorgio Graziani

1933-2016

Giovanni B. Andreozzi

Giorgio Graziani devoted his professional life to Mineralogy, serving as Researcher and then Professor at the University of Rome “La Sapienza”, where he graduated in Geological Sciences in 1958 with an experimental thesis on sulphide minerals. In the following years he obtained several grants to continue his research in Italy and abroad (including a period spent at Leigh University, Bethelem, Pennsylvania, USA), and played different roles in the University, advancing through the ranks to full Professor in 1985 while teaching Applied mineralogy, Systematic mineralogy and then Mineralogy until his retirement in 2005.

His interest was initially captured by sulphide minerals, focusing on their synthesis and their transformations at different environmental conditions. Major results on this subject came from the study of Fe and Cu sulphides, investigated through thermodynamic methods and X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis and the pioneering SEM analysis. His creative approach and experimental skills were also recognised in a patent issued in 1967 for an innovative thermal head to be used for Differential Thermal Analysis and pyro-synthesis.

The following twenty years were almost completely dedicated to deciphering the origin of beauty of minerals of gemmological interest. A number of studies, in fact, explored the secrets of gem-quality beryl crystals (including obviously emerald and aquamarine varieties, but also emerald-green vanadium beryl), as well as of corundum, cordierite, tourmaline, scapolite, kyanite, topaz and many others. Optical properties, optical anomalies and mineral inclusions of gem-quality single crystals of these minerals were investigated in detail, and physical properties were linked to structural and chemical features. The most significant contribution to advancement of Mineralogy came from the systematic investigation of growth defects and growth marks of single crystals of quartz and beryl, that improved the comprehension of their genetic conditions and allowed reconstruction of their growth history.

Periodico di Mineralogia

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For the remaining period of his scientific activity, probably the most gratifying of his career, the interest on borosilicates crystal chemistry became dominant, and he focused on tourmaline and axinite. The experimental approach adopted was multi-analytical (including single-crystal X-ray diffraction, Electron Microprobe, Thermal analyses, Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy, Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry and Mössbauer Spectroscopy), and this allowed the complex cation distribution of those fascinating minerals to be disentangled, as well as the relations with their genetic conditions to be revealed. In this period, his evergreen passion for innovation was fundamental in encouraging and supporting co-workers to establish a new single-crystal X-ray diffraction laboratory at the University of Rome “La Sapienza”, later followed by a 57Fe Mössbauer laboratory equipped with a liquid nitrogen cryostat and a furnace (for measures of Fe2+/Fe3+ ratios at non-environmental conditions), and after that by another laboratory for flux-growth crystal synthesis at controlled atmosphere (H2/CO2). These three laboratories, which are still active and very prolific, are the greatest legacy he left behind him.

Besides the “pure” mineralogical research activity, he dispensed a constant effort to the application of the mineralogical approach to Cultural Heritage, as witnessed by several studies, from the early analysis of Etruscan “bucchero” ceramics to the detailed characterisation of historical gem collections (“The Dactyliotheca of H.H. Pope Leo XII” exposed in the Sapienza Museum of Mineralogy, where he served as Director for six years), to the investigation of gems from archaeological excavations at Rome (Grottarossa, Vallerano, Crypta Balbi) to infer their origin.

In parallel with scientific interests, teaching activities and, above all, tutoring gave him strong gratification, thanks to his natural capacity of developing positive relationships with students and young scientists. He was very generous in fostering young co-workers, especially those who showed a real bent for Mineralogy, and, hard gift to find, he was always ready to step back if he realised it was necessary to the common good (“The ship is more important than the crew”, he used to say).