GEM KNOWLEDGE · LABORATORY NOTES
Night Shade Sunstone
A dark patterned specimen known by the market names Night Shade Sunstone and Arusha Confetti Sunstone.
Report: Recent package #6, printed sample ID 10513, completed March 20, 2024.
Finding: Sodic plagioclase-rich material, likely albite, with astrophyllite and nepheline. The researcher describes an agpaitic nepheline syenite assemblage.
Identification and market names
This material is sometimes marketed as containing larvikite. This report does not identify larvikite; it identifies the mineral assemblage above. Astrophyllite was identified in the tested specimen.
The names “Night Shade Sunstone” and “Arusha Confetti Sunstone” are retained so visitors can find the results under either market name. The report does not separately establish a sunstone optical effect or a mine of origin.
Also listed as: Night Shade Sunstone · Arusha Confetti Sunstone.
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 of an area of the specimen.
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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 (sodic plagioclase)
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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.4: Backscattered electron image of another area of the specimen.
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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. 5 (astrophyllite)
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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. 5 (sodic plagioclase)
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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. 7: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 2 in Fig. 5 (nepheline)
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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. 8: X-ray maps of the area shown in Fig. 2. Sodium: yellow, potassium: purple.
Read the report as text
Analytical Result Report Sample id: 10513 (recent package #6) Submitted by: Soul Body Gems Date completed: 3-20-2024 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 Titan X-ray fluorescence spectrometer was also used and operated for 30 seconds at 50, 25, and 10 kV. Fig. 1: Photograph of the specimen. Approximately 20 mm maximum dimension. Fig.2: Backscattered electron image of an area of the specimen. Fig. 3: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 1 in Fig. 2 (sodic plagioclase) Fig.4: Backscattered electron image of another area of the specimen. Fig. 5: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 1 in Fig. 5 (astrophyllite) Fig. 6: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 2 in Fig. 5 (sodic plagioclase) Fig. 7: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 2 in Fig. 5 (nepheline) Fig. 8: X-ray maps of the area shown in Fig. 2. Sodium: yellow, potassium: purple. Summary of findings: This specimen (Fig. 1) is a surprising one. It is sodic plagioclase-rich (likely albite (Figs. 2,3, 4 and 6). It also contains astrophyllite (Figs. 4 and 5) and nepheline (Figs. 4 and 6). Thus, this is a typical nepheline syenite assemblage and it is of the agpaitic type. Other minerals to be expected would be the eudialyte group but not zircon. The sodium zirconium silicates would be the dominant zirconium species. Date: March 20, 2024 Signature
Archive note: the printed sample number also appears on another report. This record is distinguished by its package #6 designation, specimen photograph and findings. Expected additional minerals mentioned in the report are predictions, not confirmed identifications.