GEM KNOWLEDGE · LABORATORY NOTES
Covellite
A Peru-sourced specimen submitted as covellite was tested to identify its constituent minerals.
Locality: Peru, according to Soul Body Gems sourcing information.
What our testing found
The tested specimen is a copper sulfide vein assemblage containing chalcopyrite, bornite, quartz veins and covellite. Elemental mapping distinguished the covellite areas by copper without iron.
Sample 10612, completed July 2, 2024. Findings apply to the specimen examined.
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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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 one of the broken beads.
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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 (chalcopyrite
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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 3 in Fig. 2 (bornite)
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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 2 in Fig. 2 (quartz)
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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. 2 (covellite)
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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. 7: X-ray maps of the area shown in Fig. 2. potassium:purple, sodium: golden.
Read the complete report as text
Analytical Result Report
Sample id: 10612 (covellite)
Submitted by: Soul Body Gems
Date completed: 7-2-2024
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.
Fig. 1: Photograph of the specimen. 45 mm diameter.
Fig.2: Backscattered electron image of an area of one of the broken beads.
Fig. 3: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 1 in Fig. 2 (chalcopyrite
Fig. 4: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 3 in Fig. 2 (bornite)
Fig. 5: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 2 in Fig. 2 (quartz)
Fig. 6: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 2 in Fig. 2 (covellite)
Fig. 7: X-ray maps of the area shown in Fig. 2. potassium:purple, sodium: golden.
Summary of findings: This specimen (Fig. 1) is a very nice example of a copper sulfide vein assemblage. Chalcopyrite (Figs. 2 and 3), bornite (Figs. 2 and 4), quartz veins (Figs. 2 and 5) and covellite (Figs 2 and 6) are present. The X-ray map shows clearly where the covellite is present, it is where only copper without iron is present.
Date: July 2, 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: 10612 (covellite)
Submitted by: Soul Body Gems
Date completed: 7-2-2024
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.
Fig. 1: Photograph of the specimen. 45 mm diameter.
Fig.2: Backscattered electron image of an area of one of the broken beads.
Fig. 3: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 1 in Fig. 2 (chalcopyrite
Fig. 4: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 3 in Fig. 2 (bornite)
Fig. 5: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 2 in Fig. 2 (quartz)
Fig. 6: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 2 in Fig. 2 (covellite)
Fig. 7: X-ray maps of the area shown in Fig. 2. potassium:purple, sodium: golden.
Summary of findings: This specimen (Fig. 1) is a very nice example of a copper sulfide vein assemblage. Chalcopyrite (Figs. 2 and 3), bornite (Figs. 2 and 4), quartz veins (Figs. 2 and 5) and covellite (Figs 2 and 6) are present. The X-ray map shows clearly where the covellite is present, it is where only copper without iron is present.
Date: July 2, 2024 Signature
