GEM KNOWLEDGE · LABORATORY NOTES
Afghanite
Two Soul Body Gems specimens were tested: a raw specimen and a pendant cabochon. Both reports are collected here, with each specimen’s findings shown separately.
Raw specimen — sample 10471
Finding: Sample 10471, completed January 16, 2024, has blue crystals whose measured composition is consistent with afghanite. Pyrite and diopside were also identified in the examined specimen.
View the original report
Select a page to enlarge it. 4 pages; the findings are summarized in accessible text above.
Report images © Soul Body Gems, Alexander Falster and the Maine Mineral & Gem Museum. Please acknowledge all three when referring to these results. Findings apply to the specimen examined.
Pendant cabochon — sample 1122
What the report found: Sample 1122 contains both afghanite and lazurite, with associated diopside and phlogopite. X-ray diffraction confirmed afghanite. The mounting tested as sterling silver.
This identification applies to this cabochon; the two blue phases cannot reliably be distinguished by appearance alone.
View the original report
Select a page to enlarge it. 6 pages; findings are summarized in accessible text above.
Report images © Soul Body Gems, Alexander Falster and the Maine Mineral & Gem Museum. Please acknowledge all three when referring to these results. Findings apply to the specimen examined.
Understanding the report figures
Use this guide alongside the written findings and the original report transcript. It explains the purpose of each analytical figure and preserves the laboratory’s own figure labels. The interpretations apply to the tested specimen; signals alone do not establish the identity of every similar-looking stone.
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Electron microscope image: This view shows small-scale regions selected for analysis. Its brightness contrast helps distinguish regions with different compositions; it is not a photograph of their natural colors. Numbered spots connect this view to the analyses listed in the report.
Laboratory figure caption: Fig.2: Backscattered electron image of an area of the specimen.
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Elemental spectrum: The peaks record characteristic X-ray signals from elements in the analyzed spot or area. This is an analysis of that location, not automatically of the entire specimen. Any mineral identification or uncertainty named in the laboratory caption is retained below.
Laboratory figure caption: Fig. 3: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 1 in Fig. 2. (likely lazurite)
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Elemental spectrum: The peaks record characteristic X-ray signals from elements in the analyzed spot or area. This is an analysis of that location, not automatically of the entire specimen. Any mineral identification or uncertainty named in the laboratory caption is retained below.
Laboratory figure caption: Fig. 4: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 2 in Fig. 2. (afghanite)
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Elemental spectrum: The peaks record characteristic X-ray signals from elements in the analyzed spot or area. This is an analysis of that location, not automatically of the entire specimen. Any mineral identification or uncertainty named in the laboratory caption is retained below.
Laboratory figure caption: Fig. 5: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 3 in Fig. 2. (diopside)
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Elemental spectrum: The peaks record characteristic X-ray signals from elements in the analyzed spot or area. This is an analysis of that location, not automatically of the entire specimen. Any mineral identification or uncertainty named in the laboratory caption is retained below.
Laboratory figure caption: Fig. 6: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 4 in Fig. 2. (phlogopite)
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Electron microscope image: This view shows small-scale regions selected for analysis. Its brightness contrast helps distinguish regions with different compositions; it is not a photograph of their natural colors. Numbered spots connect this view to the analyses listed in the report.
Laboratory figure caption: Fig.7: Backscattered electron image of another area of the specimen.
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Elemental spectrum: The peaks record characteristic X-ray signals from elements in the analyzed spot or area. This is an analysis of that location, not automatically of the entire specimen. Any mineral identification or uncertainty named in the laboratory caption is retained below.
Laboratory figure caption: Fig. 8: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 1 in Fig. 7. (silver alloy)
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Diffraction scan: This scan helps identify crystalline minerals by comparing the measured pattern with reference patterns. The laboratory interpretation explains which minerals the comparison supports.
Laboratory figure caption: Fig. 9: X-ray diffraction scan of the blue material with mmatch for afghanite.
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Elemental spectrum: The peaks record characteristic X-ray signals from elements in the analyzed spot or area. This is an analysis of that location, not automatically of the entire specimen. Any mineral identification or uncertainty named in the laboratory caption is retained below.
Laboratory figure caption: Fig. 3: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 1 in Fig. 2 (consistent with afghanite)
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Electron microscope image: This view shows small-scale regions selected for analysis. Its brightness contrast helps distinguish regions with different compositions; it is not a photograph of their natural colors. Numbered spots connect this view to the analyses listed in the report.
Laboratory figure caption: Fig.4: Backscattered electron image of another area of the specimen.
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Elemental spectrum: The peaks record characteristic X-ray signals from elements in the analyzed spot or area. This is an analysis of that location, not automatically of the entire specimen. Any mineral identification or uncertainty named in the laboratory caption is retained below.
Laboratory figure caption: Fig. 5: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 1 in Fig. 4 (pyrite)
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Elemental spectrum: The peaks record characteristic X-ray signals from elements in the analyzed spot or area. This is an analysis of that location, not automatically of the entire specimen. Any mineral identification or uncertainty named in the laboratory caption is retained below.
Laboratory figure caption: Fig. 6: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 4 in Fig. 4 (pyribole, diopside has been reported with afghanite)
Read the laboratory document as text
Text and tables from the laboratory document are provided below. Consult the adjacent findings for the interpretation of each tested specimen.
Laboratory document 1
Analytical Result Report Sample id: 10471 (#9) Submitted by: Soul Body Gems Date completed: 1-16-2024 Operating conditions: An AMRAY 1830 SEM operated at 25 kV acceleration potential, 24 mm working distance, 0 degrees sample tilt, coated with 250 Å carbon, and also using the attached XRF unit operated at 30 kV. A BRUKER Titan X-ray fluorescence spectrometer was also used and operated for 30 seconds at 50, 25, and 10 kV. Fig. 1: Photograph of the specimen. Approximately 10 cm maximum dimension. Fig.2: Backscattered electron image of an area of the specimen. Fig. 3: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 1 in Fig. 2 (consistent with afghanite) Fig.4: Backscattered electron image of another area of the specimen. Fig. 5: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 1 in Fig. 4 (pyrite) Fig. 6: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 4 in Fig. 4 (pyribole, diopside has been reported with afghanite) Summary of findings: This specimen (Fig. 1) is very interesting. The blue crystals are indeed consistent with afghanite’s composition (Figs. 2 and 3). In addition, pyrite (Figs. 4 and 5) and diopside (Figs. 4 and 6) were identified. Afghanite is a rare species and this is a rather nice specimen. Date: January 17. 2024 Signature
Laboratory document 2
Analytical Result Report
Sample id: 1122 (#7 afghanite)
Submitted by: Soul Body Gems
Date completed: 2-11-2025
Operating conditions: An AMRAY 1830 SEM operated at 25 kV acceleration potential, 24 mm working distance, 0 degrees sample tilt, coated with 250 Å carbon, and also using the attached XRF unit operated at 30 kV.
A Bruker P2 Phaser X-ray diffractometer was also used and operated at 30 kV and 10 mA.
Fig. 1: Photograph of the specimen. Approximately 3.5 cm across.
Fig.2: Backscattered electron image of an area of the specimen.
Fig. 3: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 1 in Fig. 2. (likely lazurite)
Fig. 4: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 2 in Fig. 2. (afghanite)
Fig. 5: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 3 in Fig. 2. (diopside)
Fig. 6: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 4 in Fig. 2. (phlogopite)
Fig.7: Backscattered electron image of another area of the specimen.
Fig. 8: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 1 in Fig. 7. (silver alloy)
Fig. 9: X-ray diffraction scan of the blue material with mmatch for afghanite.
Summary of findings: This specimen (Fig. 1) is pretty. The cabochon is composed of two blue minerals: lazurite (Figs. 2 and 3) and afghanite (Figs. 2 and 4). Visually, they are not distinguishable. Chloride and sulfur are the distinguishing elements). Associated minerals found include diopside (Figs. 2 and 5) and phlogopite (Figs. 2 and 6). The metal mounting is sterling silver with about 96 % silver (Figs. 7 and 8). Afghanite was also confirmed by X-ray diffraction (Fig. 9).
Date: 2-11-2025 Signature
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