GEM KNOWLEDGE · LABORATORY NOTES
Blue Dickite
Blue and green slabs from a newer Turkish find, identified as dickite with some grossular.
Sample 1250 · May 23, 2025.
What the testing revealed
The initial spectra indicated a kaolinite-like aluminum silicate. X-ray diffraction identified dickite, a kaolinite-group mineral. Some grossular was also found.
No copper was detected. The report measured iron at 1.3–1.5 wt.% and chromium at 0.5–0.7 wt.%, with higher amounts in the green material. The tested slabs are not chrysocolla.
About the name
Dickite is named for Scottish metallurgical chemist Allan Brugh Dick, who first described it. Its color varies with impurities; the blue color is a distinctive feature of this supplied find, rather than the definition of the mineral.
Further reading: Handbook of Mineralogy: dickite.
Laboratory report
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 in Fig. 1 left.
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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. (kaolinite possibly)
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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 an area of the specimen in Fig. 1. right
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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. (kaolinite possibly)
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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 2 in Fig. 4. (grossular)
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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. 7: X-ray diffraction scan of the green material.
Read the complete report as text
Analytical Result Report
Sample id: 1250 (#3 blue and green slabs, Turkey)
Submitted by: Soul Body Gems
Date completed: 5-23-2025
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 Brruker D2 Phaser X-ray diffractommeter was also used and operated at 30 kV and 10 mA.
Fig. 1: Photograph of the specimen. 7 cm mximum dimension.
Fig.2: Backscattered electron image of an area of the specimen in Fig. 1 left.
Fig. 3: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 1 in Fig. 2. (kaolinite possibly)
Fig. 4: Backscattered electron image of an area of the specimen in Fig. 1. right
Fig. 5: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 1 in Fig. 4. (kaolinite possibly)
Fig. 6: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 2 in Fig. 4. (grossular)
Fig. 7: X-ray diffraction scan of the green material.
Summary:
These specimens (Fig. 1) are very interesting. Both consists mainly of an aluminum silicate like kaolinite (Figs. 2-5) and some grossular (Figs 5 and 6). No copper is present but 1.3-1.5 wt. % iron and 0.5-0.7 wt. % chromium. The higher amounts are in the green material. An X-ray diffraction scan revealed that the material is dickite, a well-crystallized kaolinite group species. These slabs are NOT chrysocolla.
Date: 5-23-2025 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: 1250 (#3 blue and green slabs, Turkey)
Submitted by: Soul Body Gems
Date completed: 5-23-2025
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 Brruker D2 Phaser X-ray diffractommeter was also used and operated at 30 kV and 10 mA.
Fig. 1: Photograph of the specimen. 7 cm mximum dimension.
Fig.2: Backscattered electron image of an area of the specimen in Fig. 1 left.
Fig. 3: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 1 in Fig. 2. (kaolinite possibly)
Fig. 4: Backscattered electron image of an area of the specimen in Fig. 1. right
Fig. 5: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 1 in Fig. 4. (kaolinite possibly)
Fig. 6: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 2 in Fig. 4. (grossular)
Fig. 7: X-ray diffraction scan of the green material.
Summary:
These specimens (Fig. 1) are very interesting. Both consists mainly of an aluminum silicate like kaolinite (Figs. 2-5) and some grossular (Figs 5 and 6). No copper is present but 1.3-1.5 wt. % iron and 0.5-0.7 wt. % chromium. The higher amounts are in the green material. An X-ray diffraction scan revealed that the material is dickite, a well-crystallized kaolinite group species. These slabs are NOT chrysocolla.
Date: 5-23-2025 Signature