GEM KNOWLEDGE · LABORATORY NOTES
Power Ruby
This March photograph is an additional collection image. The documented analysis below concerns the separately tested obelisk, sample 9047.
A pink-and-brown carved obelisk sold under the trade name “Power Ruby” was analyzed to identify its mineral components.
The bracelet photograph shows our February 2025 collection under the Power Ruby trade name. The laboratory report below concerns the separately tested obelisk, sample 9047; it is retained here as the documented analysis of that specimen.
Finding: The specimen is mostly serpentine-group material, with amesite dominant and antigorite around small grains of corundum. Smoky quartz was not identified in this specimen.
“Ruby in Smoky Quartz” is a misleading market description for the tested piece. The report identifies corundum grains, but it does not independently determine whether those grains qualify as gemological ruby. The pink and brown areas differ in iron and titanium content; the report suggests these account for their contrasting colors.
Tested specimen: Sample 9047, report completed June 5, 2020. These findings describe this obelisk, not every item sold as “Power Ruby.”
View the original report
Select a page to enlarge it. Three report pages, with a text transcript below.
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. 1: Backscattered electron image (carved opal). This is in the pink area
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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. 2: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 1 in Fig. 1. (amesite, serpentine group).
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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. 3: Backscattered electron image (obelisk). This is in the brown area.
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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 1 in Fig. 3. (amesit, serpentine groupe).
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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 2 in Fig. 3. (corundum).
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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 1 in Fig. 3. (antigorite).
Read the report as text
Analytical Result Report Sample id: 9047 (pink and brown obelisk) Submitted by: K.Bitner Date submitted: June 4, 2020 Date completed: June 5, 2020 Operating conditions: JEOL JSM-6400 operated at 25 kV acceleration potential, 15 mm working distance, 15 degrees sample tilt, coated with 250 Å carbon. Using the X-ray fluorescence attachment with 35kv potental in conjunction with the EDS system. Fig. 1: Backscattered electron image (carved opal). This is in the pink area Fig. 2: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 1 in Fig. 1. (amesite, serpentine group). Fig. 3: Backscattered electron image (obelisk). This is in the brown area. Fig. 4: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 1 in Fig. 3. (amesit, serpentine groupe). Fig. 5: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 2 in Fig. 3. (corundum). Fig. 6: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 1 in Fig. 3. (antigorite). Table 1: Trace elements by X-ray fluorescence. element | pink area, ppm | brown area, ppm Fe | 1328 | 2148 Ti | 860 | 7200 Mn | 35 | 60 Summary of findings: This is an interesting specimen! The material is largely composed of serpentine group minerals. Amesite is dominant (Figs. 1-4). Some grains of corundum (Figs. 4 and 5) were note and they have antigorite (Figs 4 and 6) radiating from it, suggesting a reaction. The brown area is much more enriched in iron and titanium than the pink area. The pink is likely caused by a little trivalent iron whereas the brown is likely caused by the much higher content of trivalent iron, possibly coupled with titanium (Table 1). Date: June 5 ,2020 Signature