GEM KNOWLEDGE · LABORATORY NOTES
Chile Opal
Material sold as Chilean blue opal was tested to check its identity. The report identifies the blue material as chrysocolla.
Locality: Chile, according to Soul Body Gems sourcing information.
What our testing found
The blue material was identified as chrysocolla, a copper silicate, rather than opal. Patches of iron oxide, such as goethite or hematite, were also found. The chrysocolla in this specimen is nearly amorphous.
Sample 1100, completed October 28, 2024. Findings apply to the specimen examined.
Also listed under: Chile Opal · Blue Opal (Chile) · Chrysocolla (Chile)
View the original test results
Select a page to enlarge it.
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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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. (chrysocolla) Fig. 4: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 2 in Fig. 2. (iroj ooxide species such as goethite, hematite) Summary of findings: This specimen (Fig. 1) is pretty. The blue material is chrysocolla, a copper silicate (Figs. 2 and 3). Some patches of iron oxide species such as goethite or hematite are also present (Figs. 2 and 4). Chrysocolla is commonly poorly crystalline to nearly amorphous and this specimen is nearly amorphous. Chrysocolla can show a range of colors from blue to green. @SoulBodyGems
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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. @SoulBodyGems
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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. (chrysocolla)
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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. (iroj ooxide species such as goethite, hematite)
Read the complete report as text
Analytical Result Report
Sample id: 1100 (blue Chilean ‘opal’)
Submitted by: Soul Body Gems
Date completed: 10-28-2024
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 Brukker D2 Phaser X-ray diffractometer was also used and operated at 30 kV and 10 mA.
Fig. 1: Photograph of the specimen. Approximately 70 mm maximum dimension.
Fig.2: Backscattered electron image of an area of the specimen.
@SoulBodyGems
Fig. 3: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 1 in Fig. 2. (chrysocolla)
Fig. 4: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 2 in Fig. 2. (iroj ooxide species such as goethite, hematite)
Summary of findings: This specimen (Fig. 1) is pretty. The blue material is chrysocolla, a copper silicate (Figs. 2 and 3).
Some patches of iron oxide species such as goethite or hematite are also present (Figs. 2 and 4). Chrysocolla is
commonly poorly crystalline to nearly amorphous and this specimen is nearly amorphous. Chrysocolla can show a range
of colors from blue to green.
@SoulBodyGems
Date: 10-28-2024 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: 1100 (blue Chilean ‘opal’)
Submitted by: Soul Body Gems
Date completed: 10-28-2024
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 Brukker D2 Phaser X-ray diffractometer was also used and operated at 30 kV and 10 mA.
@SoulBodyGems
Fig. 1: Photograph of the specimen. Approximately 70 mm maximum dimension.
Fig.2: Backscattered electron image of an area of the specimen.
@SoulBodyGems
Fig. 3: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 1 in Fig. 2. (chrysocolla)
Fig. 4: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 2 in Fig. 2. (iroj ooxide species such as goethite, hematite)
Summary of findings: This specimen (Fig. 1) is pretty. The blue material is chrysocolla, a copper silicate (Figs. 2 and 3).
Some patches of iron oxide species such as goethite or hematite are also present (Figs. 2 and 4). Chrysocolla is
commonly poorly crystalline to nearly amorphous and this specimen is nearly amorphous. Chrysocolla can show a range
of colors from blue to green.
Date: 10-28-2024 SignatureBlue Nopal rings in our September 2025 collection
These rings are separate from the specimen described in the laboratory report on this page. They have not been tested individually, so the reported identification does not establish the composition of the rings. Read the Blue Nopal material profile →