GEM KNOWLEDGE · LABORATORY NOTES
Apophyllite Stilbite
Testing identified stilbite-(Ca) and apophyllite/fluorapophyllite. A dark pyribole was considered more likely an amphibole, but was not conclusively identified as arfvedsonite.
What the testing found
- Testing identified stilbite-(Ca) and apophyllite/fluorapophyllite. A dark pyribole was considered more likely an amphibole, but was not conclusively identified as arfvedsonite.
- Report sample 1070, completed September 24, 2024.
Also listed as Stilbite Apophyllite · Apophyllite Stilbite; these entries share the same report.
View the original test results
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These results are the property of Soul Body Gems, Alexander Falster, and the Maine Mineral & Gem Museum. Any mention requires full acknowledgment.
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 (stilbite-(Ca))
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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 4 in Fig. 2 (apophyllite/fluorapophyllite)
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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. 2, right image (resin/epoxy)
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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.6: Backscattered electron image of another area of the specimen. Some resin is obstructing the left portion.
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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. 7: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 1 in Fig.6 (pyribole)
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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. 8: X-ray diffraction scan of the colorless to white material (apophyllite/fluorapophyllite)
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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 beige material (stilbite-Ca))
Read the complete report as text
Analytical Result Report
Sample id: 1070 (#5 said to be an arfvedsonite-bearing specimen)
Submitted by: Soul Body Gems
Date completed: 9-24-2024
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 D2-Phaser X-ray diffractometer was also used in the study and operated at 30 kV and 10 mA.
Fig. 1: Photograph of the specimen. Approximately 55 mm maximum dimension.
Fig.2: Backscattered electron image of an area of the specimen
Fig. 3: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 1 in Fig. 2 (stilbite-(Ca))
Fig. 4: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 4 in Fig. 2 (apophyllite/fluorapophyllite)
Fig. 5: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 1 in Fig. 2, right image (resin/epoxy)
Fig.6: Backscattered electron image of another area of the specimen. Some resin is obstructing the left portion.
Fig. 7: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 1 in Fig.6 (pyribole)
Fig. 8: X-ray diffraction scan of the colorless to white material (apophyllite/fluorapophyllite)
Fig. 9: X-ray diffraction scan of the beige material (stilbite-Ca))
Summary of findings: This specimen (Fig. 1) is a very unusual one! The bulk material is composed of two minerals: a beige one (Figs. 2 and 4) which is stilbite-(Ca) and a colorless to white one (Figs. 2 and 4) which is apophyllite/fluorapophyllite. Both were also confirmed by X-ray diffraction (Figs. 8 and 9). The dark mineral (Fig. 6) which is partially covered by a reason or epoxy but enough was exposed to analyze. It is a pyribole, I would suggest it is more likely an amphibole because it has elevated aluminum content and also occurs with two low temperature species, namel stilbite-(Ca) and apophyllite/fluorapophyllite. These two low temperature minerals are commonly found in basalt vesicles and especially in voids in pillow basalt. This specimen did not have any large red pieces, I saw a few tiny speclks of hematite. Garnet would not be likely in this mineral association.
Date: 9-24-2024 Signature
Read the original laboratory report as text
The following text and tables are transcribed from the original laboratory document. Figure captions identify the report images; the laboratory interpretations and limitations are preserved.
Laboratory report 1
Analytical Result Report
Sample id: 1070 (#5 said to be an arfvedsonite-bearing specimen)
Submitted by: Soul Body Gems
Date completed: 9-24-2024
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 D2-Phaser X-ray diffractometer was also used in the study and operated at 30 kV and 10 mA.
Fig. 1: Photograph of the specimen. Approximately 55 mm maximum dimension.
Fig.2: Backscattered electron image of an area of the specimen
Fig. 3: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 1 in Fig. 2 (stilbite-(Ca))
Fig. 4: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 4 in Fig. 2 (apophyllite/fluorapophyllite)
Fig. 5: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 1 in Fig. 2, right image (resin/epoxy)
Fig.6: Backscattered electron image of another area of the specimen. Some resin is obstructing the left portion.
Fig. 7: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 1 in Fig.6 (pyribole)
Fig. 8: X-ray diffraction scan of the colorless to white material (apophyllite/fluorapophyllite)
Fig. 9: X-ray diffraction scan of the beige material (stilbite-Ca))
Summary of findings: This specimen (Fig. 1) is a very unusual one! The bulk material is composed of two minerals: a beige one (Figs. 2 and 4) which is stilbite-(Ca) and a colorless to white one (Figs. 2 and 4) which is apophyllite/fluorapophyllite. Both were also confirmed by X-ray diffraction (Figs. 8 and 9). The dark mineral (Fig. 6) which is partially covered by a reason or epoxy but enough was exposed to analyze. It is a pyribole, I would suggest it is more likely an amphibole because it has elevated aluminum content and also occurs with two low temperature species, namel stilbite-(Ca) and apophyllite/fluorapophyllite. These two low temperature minerals are commonly found in basalt vesicles and especially in voids in pillow basalt. This specimen did not have any large red pieces, I saw a few tiny speclks of hematite. Garnet would not be likely in this mineral association.
Date: 9-24-2024 Signature