GEM KNOWLEDGE · LABORATORY NOTES
Kunzite (Brazil)
Brazilian pink spodumene (kunzite) associated with bluish albite and hafnium-rich zircon.
Sample 1257 · June 2, 2025.
What the testing revealed
The pink region fits spodumene, supported by an aluminum-to-silicon ratio of 1:2. The bluish region is albite. Several zircon grains contain around 11 wt.% hafnium oxide, which the report interprets as evidence of an evolved pegmatite. Brazil is the supplied locality.
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.
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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. (bluish area, albite)
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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. (spodumene, kunzite)
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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 3 in Fig. 2. (hafnium-rich zircon)
Read the complete report as text
Analytical Result Report
Sample id: 1257 (#3 kunzite)
Submitted by: Soul Body Gems
Date completed: 6-2-2025
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.
Fig. 1: Photograph of the specimen. Maximum dimension 5.5 cm.
Fig.2: Backscattered electron image of an area of the specimen in Fig. 1.
Fig. 3: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 1 in Fig. 2. (bluish area, albite)
Fig. 4: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 2 in Fig. 2. (spodumene, kunzite)
Fig. 5: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 3 in Fig. 2. (hafnium-rich zircon)
Summary:
This specimen (Fig. 1) is very interesting. The bluish area is albite, a sodium-rich plagioclase. The pink part is a good fit for spodumene (Figs. 2 and 4), this is also supported by the Al:Si ratio of 1:2. Interestingly, several grains of as hafnium-rich zircon were also present (Figs. 2 and 5). They contain around 11 wt. % of hafnium oxide which indicates a high degree of geochemical evolution of the host pegmatite and indeed, spodumene is typically found in those pegmatites.
Date: 6-2-2025 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: 1257 (#3 kunzite)
Submitted by: Soul Body Gems
Date completed: 6-2-2025
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.
Fig. 1: Photograph of the specimen. Maximum dimension 5.5 cm.
Fig.2: Backscattered electron image of an area of the specimen in Fig. 1.
Fig. 3: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 1 in Fig. 2. (bluish area, albite)
Fig. 4: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 2 in Fig. 2. (spodumene, kunzite)
Fig. 5: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 3 in Fig. 2. (hafnium-rich zircon)
Summary:
This specimen (Fig. 1) is very interesting. The bluish area is albite, a sodium-rich plagioclase. The pink part is a good fit for spodumene (Figs. 2 and 4), this is also supported by the Al:Si ratio of 1:2. Interestingly, several grains of as hafnium-rich zircon were also present (Figs. 2 and 5). They contain around 11 wt. % of hafnium oxide which indicates a high degree of geochemical evolution of the host pegmatite and indeed, spodumene is typically found in those pegmatites.
Date: 6-2-2025 Signature