Quartz cathodoluminescence (CL) images are commonly combined with trace element concentrations to decipher complex histories of hydrothermal systems.However, the correlations between aluminum content and CL zoning of lowtemperature hydrothermal quartz and their genesis remain controversial. In this This is the peer-reviewed, final accepted version for American Mineralogist, published by the Mineralogical Society of America.The published version is subject to change. Cite as Authors (Year) Title. American Mineralogist, in press.