GEM KNOWLEDGE · LABORATORY NOTES
Aragonite (Poland)
Banded Polish material identified as limestone/calcite, not schalenblende; possible aragonite remains unconfirmed.
Sample: 1118. Completed: January 29, 2025.
What the testing found
The brown portions contained up to 1.3 wt. % magnesium and 0.12 wt. % iron, with only 0.05 wt. % zinc. The researcher describes convoluted banded limestone and says X-ray diffraction is needed to establish whether aragonite is also present.
Wood Schalenblende and Aragonite are the names used for these directory entries; neither should be read as a confirmed identification of schalenblende or aragonite. Locality: Poland.
Also listed as: Wood Schalenblende (Poland) · Aragonite (Poland)
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. (calcium carbonate)
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Element map: This map shows where the named elements occur within the analyzed area. Its colors represent the laboratory’s selected element channels, rather than the specimen’s visible colors. The caption below preserves any color key or distribution noted by the laboratory.
Laboratory figure caption: Fig. 4: X-ray map for calcium
Read the complete report as text
Analytical Result Report
Sample id: 1118 (#1, new find Poland, banded..)
Submitted by: Soul Body Gems
Date completed: 1-29-2025
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.
Fig. 1: Photograph of the specimen. Approximately 4.3 cm across.
Fig.2: Backscattered electron image of an area of the specimen.
Fig. 3: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 1 in Fig. 2. (calcium carbonate)
Fig. 4: X-ray map for calcium
Summary of findings: This specimen (Fig. 1) is very beautiful. However, it is not schalenblende, the banded sphalerite/wurtzite. Instead, it is a banded limestone/calcite, possibly even aragonite. Compositionally, it contains up to 1.3 wt. % magnesium and 0.12 wt. % iron in the brown parts. Zinc is only present in amounts of 0.05 wt. %. Thus the specimen is a convoluted banded limestone, there is a chance that aragonite may also be present but it needs X-ray diffraction.
Date: 1-29-2025 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: 1118 (#1, new find Poland, banded..)
Submitted by: Soul Body Gems
Date completed: 1-29-2025
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.
Fig. 1: Photograph of the specimen. Approximately 4.3 cm across.
Fig.2: Backscattered electron image of an area of the specimen.
Fig. 3: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 1 in Fig. 2. (calcium carbonate)
Fig. 4: X-ray map for calcium
Summary of findings: This specimen (Fig. 1) is very beautiful. However, it is not schalenblende, the banded sphalerite/wurtzite. Instead, it is a banded limestone/calcite, possibly even aragonite. Compositionally, it contains up to 1.3 wt. % magnesium and 0.12 wt. % iron in the brown parts. Zinc is only present in amounts of 0.05 wt. %. Thus the specimen is a convoluted banded limestone, there is a chance that aragonite may also be present but it needs X-ray diffraction.
Date: 1-29-2025 Signature