GEM KNOWLEDGE · LABORATORY NOTES
Olivine (China)
A sphere sourced from China is an ultramafic rock dominated by magnesium-rich, forsterite-dominant olivine with some calcium- and magnesium-rich pyroxene, essentially diopside, also chromium-rich. The locality comes from sourcing information rather than the laboratory analysis.
Report: Sample 1523, completed September 25, 2025. These findings apply to the specimen analyzed.
Report images © Soul Body Gems, Alexander Falster and the Maine Mineral & Gem Museum. Please acknowledge all three when referring to these results.
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. (olivine)
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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. (pyroxene)
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: 1523 (#7 sphere)
Submitted by: Soul Body Gems
Date completed: 9-25-2025
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 specimens. 5 cm maximum dimension.
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. (olivine)
Fig. 4: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 2 in Fig. 2. (pyroxene)
Summary of findings: This is a very interesting specimen! It is in the ultramafic group of rock types and consists dominantly of olivine (Figs. 2 and 3), the olivine is forsterite-dominant, thus it is magnesium-dominant. Additionally, some pyroxene also occurs in the specimen (Figs.2 and 4), The pyroxene is calcium- and magnesium-rich, essentially a calcium-rich diopside. It also is chromium rich. Material like this occurs for example in ophiolite complexes, it is a depleted mantle rock where basaltic magma has been extracted.
Date: 9-25-2025 Signature