GEM KNOWLEDGE · LABORATORY NOTES
Emerald (Zimbabwe)
Sold as emerald, but the tested green material is not beryl and therefore is not emerald.
Sample: 1067. Completed: September 13, 2024.
What the testing found
The matrix contains mica and quartz, with minor rutile or another titanium oxide. The green phase is a magnesium-aluminum silicate whose exact identity remains unresolved. Its chemistry suggests possibilities including chlorite-group minerals, sapphirine or kornerupine; the muscovite diffraction match does not agree with that chemistry. These possibilities are not confirmed identifications.
Locality: Zimbabwe, according to Soul Body Gems sourcing information. Emerald Mica is a market name, not an identification of emerald.
Also listed as: Emerald (Zimbabwe) · Emerald Mica
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 sof an area of the specimen. Right image has a carbon putty marker pointing at the green mineral.
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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 (muscovite)
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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 (rutile or other Ti oxide)
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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 ()
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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. 6: X-ray diffraction scan of the green material.
Read the complete report as text
Analytical Result Report
Sample id: 1067 (#1 green mineral in sphere Zimbabwe)
Submitted by: Soul Body Gems
Date completed: 9-13-2024
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 sof an area of the specimen. Right image has a carbon putty marker pointing at the green mineral.
Fig. 3: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 1 in Fig. 2 (muscovite)
Fig. 4: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 4 in Fig. 2 (rutile or other Ti oxide)
Fig. 5: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 1 in Fig. 2, right image ()
Fig. 6: X-ray diffraction scan of the green material.
Summary of findings: This specimen (Fig. 1) is a strange one! The matrix contains mica species and quartz (Figs. 2 and 3), minor rutile or another titanium oxide (Figs. 2 and 4) and the green mineral is essentially a magnesium aluminum silicate. Chemically it would fit into the chlorite group, such as clinochlore, but also sapphirine or kornerupine seem possible. X-ray diffraction produced a very good match for muscovite for the green material and yet the chemistry does not agree with it. It is possible that the green material is poorly crystallized, and the muscovite is well crystallized and produces good diffraction peaks even in small amounts. However, one thing is certain, the green material is not a member of the beryl group!
Date: 9-13-2024 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: 1067 (#1 green mineral in sphere Zimbabwe)
Submitted by: Soul Body Gems
Date completed: 9-13-2024
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 sof an area of the specimen. Right image has a carbon putty marker pointing at the green mineral.
Fig. 3: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 1 in Fig. 2 (muscovite)
Fig. 4: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 4 in Fig. 2 (rutile or other Ti oxide)
Fig. 5: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 1 in Fig. 2, right image ()
Fig. 6: X-ray diffraction scan of the green material.
Summary of findings: This specimen (Fig. 1) is a strange one! The matrix contains mica species and quartz (Figs. 2 and 3), minor rutile or another titanium oxide (Figs. 2 and 4) and the green mineral is essentially a magnesium aluminum silicate. Chemically it would fit into the chlorite group, such as clinochlore, but also sapphirine or kornerupine seem possible. X-ray diffraction produced a very good match for muscovite for the green material and yet the chemistry does not agree with it. It is possible that the green material is poorly crystallized, and the muscovite is well crystallized and produces good diffraction peaks even in small amounts. However, one thing is certain, the green material is not a member of the beryl group!
Date: 9-13-2024 Signature