In order to investigate the zoning characteristics of rare metal minerals/elements and rock-forming minerals in granitic pegmatites, multiple methods was used to investigate on well-known pegmatite-hosted rare metal deposits worldwide, with a particular focus on the Koktokay deposit. By comparing the zoning patterns across different deposits, the zoning information of major minerals and elements was extracted on the basis of the first occurrence of specific minerals at different positions within individual pegmatite veins and among separate veins, while the zoning of minor minerals and elements was excluded. Based on the theories of potassium-sodium metasomatism and incompatible element behavior, combined with the analysis of Gibbs free energy of formation and ionic radius, the distribution characteristics of three assemblages was elucidated: rock-forming minerals including microcline, albite, spodumene and quartz; rare elements such as Be, Nb, Ta, Li, Zr, Hf, Rb and Cs; and rare metal minerals such as beryl, columbite-tantalite, spodumene (as a Li-bearing mineral), (hafnon)zircon and amazonite. The results show that distinct zoning sequences are identified both in the pegmatite aureole from the inner zone of the parent granite pluton to its periphery and in individual granitic pegmatite veins from the margin to the core: the rock-forming mineral sequence of microcline→albite→spodumene→ quartz; the rare element sequence of Be→Nb-Ta→Li→Zr-Hf→Rb→Cs; and the rare metal mineral sequence of beryl→columbite-tantalite →spodumene→(hafnon)zircon→amazonite. Notably, the microcline→ albite sub-sequence within the rock-forming mineral zoning can occur repetitively. It is concluded that the temporal zoning of rare metal minerals (from early to late stages) exhibits two general trends: an increase in the ionic radius of rare metal ions (with the exception of Li) and a decrease in the Gibbs free energy of mineral formation. In contrast, the rock-forming mineral assemblage is characterized by the alternating processes of early-stage potassium metasomatism and sodium metasomatism, which further contributes to silica enrichment and the gradual accumulation of rare metal elements.