GEM KNOWLEDGE · LABORATORY NOTES
Purple Robe Jade
Purple Robe Jade is an ornamental stone trade name, admired for its purple, green, cream and gray patterns. Its name does not establish that it is jade.
Locality and find history: Guizhou Province, China. This is Soul Body Gems sourcing information.
What our testing found
The tested sphere consists mainly of muscovite and plagioclase. The analyst considered its fine-grained texture more consistent with phyllite than schist. Iron in the muscovite was identified as the likely source of its pale green bands; no jade mineral was identified.
Sample 1214, completed December 25, 2024. Findings describe the tested specimen.
View the original test results
Select a page to enlarge it.
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. (muscovite)
-
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. (plagioclase)
-
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.5: Backscattered electron image of another 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. 6: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 1 in Fig. 5. (muscovite)
Read the complete report as text
Analytical Result Report
Sample id: 1214 banded sphere)
Submitted by: Soul Body Gems
Date completed: 12-25-2024
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 specimens. 4.5 cm maximum dimensions.
Fig.2: Backscattered electron image of an area of the specimen.
Fig. 3: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 1 in Fig. 2. (muscovite)
Fig. 4: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 2 in Fig. 2. (plagioclase)
Fig.5: Backscattered electron image of another area of the specimen.
Fig. 6: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 1 in Fig. 5. (muscovite)
Summary of findings: This specimen (Fig. 1) is a very pretty sphere! It is composed of basically two mineral species: muscovite (Figs. 2, 3, 5 and 6) and plagioclase (Figs. 2 and 4). The muscovite is fine-grained suggesting that the rock was likely a phyllite rather than a schist. Both are metamorphic rocks, schist is higher grade and generally coarser. The pale green bands are a result of the iron content in the muscovite and it was likely mostly divalent iron which would impart a green color.
Date: 12-25-2024 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: 1214 banded sphere)
Submitted by: Soul Body Gems
Date completed: 12-25-2024
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 specimens. 4.5 cm maximum dimensions.
Fig.2: Backscattered electron image of an area of the specimen.
Fig. 3: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 1 in Fig. 2. (muscovite)
Fig. 4: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 2 in Fig. 2. (plagioclase)
Fig.5: Backscattered electron image of another area of the specimen.
Fig. 6: Energy dispersive spectrum of spot 1 in Fig. 5. (muscovite)
Summary of findings: This specimen (Fig. 1) is a very pretty sphere! It is composed of basically two mineral species: muscovite (Figs. 2, 3, 5 and 6) and plagioclase (Figs. 2 and 4). The muscovite is fine-grained suggesting that the rock was likely a phyllite rather than a schist. Both are metamorphic rocks, schist is higher grade and generally coarser. The pale green bands are a result of the iron content in the muscovite and it was likely mostly divalent iron which would impart a green color.
Date: 12-25-2024 Signature