Garnet in Diopside Meaning, Metaphysical Energy & Geology

This sphere sold as Garnet in Diopside showed epoxy with visible bubbles. The laboratory concluded that it appears assembled, or at least heavily reinforced with epoxy.

Sample 10670 (other sphere) · August 21, 2024. Sphere approximately 4.5 cm.

Evidence of epoxy and assembly

Microscopy revealed bubbles in epoxy between mineral grains. Elemental maps also showed carbon-rich material in these spaces. The fragmented appearance of the grains was considered abnormal for an intact natural rock.

The report identifies a garnet-group species, a magnesium-rich pyribole possibly enstatite, another pyribole with a more diopsidic composition, and possibly a serpentine-group species. These tentative identifications are retained rather than treating every component as confirmed diopside.

The garnet also contains quartz inclusions that may indicate a different geological environment from the magnesium-rich minerals. This tested sphere should not be represented as an untouched natural rock: the report supports assembly or substantial epoxy reinforcement.

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.

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.
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 (garnet group).
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 (likely a magnesium-dominant pyribole)
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 3 in Fig. 2 (pyribole, poss. diopside)
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 3 in Fig. 2 (poss. Serpentine group)
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. 7: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 3 in Fig. 2 (poss. epoxy)
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. 9: X-ray map of the area shown in Fig. 2: left: magnesium: red,calcium light blue, iron: green. Right: carbon: yellow.

Read the report as text

Analytical Result Report
Sample id: 10670 (other sphere)
Submitted by: Soul Body Gems
Date completed: 8-21-2024
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.  The sphere is about 4.5 cm in maximum dimension.
Fig.2: Backscattered electron image of an area of the specimen.
Fig. 3: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 1 in Fig. 2 (garnet group).
Fig. 4: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 2 in Fig. 2 (likely a magnesium-dominant pyribole)
Fig. 5: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 3 in Fig. 2 (pyribole, poss. diopside)
Fig. 6: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 3 in Fig. 2 (poss. Serpentine group)
Fig. 7: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 3 in Fig. 2 (poss. epoxy)
Fig. 8: Cllose-up of the area shown in Fig. 2.  Note bubbles in epoxy.
Fig. 9: X-ray map of the area shown in Fig. 2: left: magnesium: red,calcium light blue, iron: green.  Right: carbon: yellow.
Summary of findings:  This specimen (Fig. 1) is peculiar.  The components consist of a garnet group species (Figs. 2 and 3), a high magnesium pyribole, possible enstatite (Figs. 2 and 4), a pyribole with a more diopsidic composition (Figs. 2 and 5), possibly a serpentine group species (Figs. 2 and 6), and some high carbon material between the grains (Figs. 2 and 7.  A close-up image (Fig. 8) shows clearly bubbles in an epoxy material.  X-ray maps shown in Fig 9 show the distribution of the common elements magnesium, calcium and iron as well as a carbon map.  It appears the material is assembled or  at least heavily reinforced with  an epoxy material.  The fractured appearance of the mineral grains also does not look normal for a natural rock, it appears all fragmental.  The garnet contains some inclusions of quartz, the jagged patches in the upper part, it could indicate a different environment than the other magnesium-rich minerals.  
Date:    August 21, 2024                      Signature