Optical characterization of synthetic faceted gem materials grown from hydrothermal solutions

Taijin Lu; James E. Shigley

doi:10.1117/12.326676

8 October 1998 Optical characterization of synthetic faceted gem materials grown from hydrothermal solutions

Taijin Lu, James E. Shigley

Proceedings Volume 3425, Optical Diagnostic Methods for Inorganic Transmissive Materials; (1998) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.326676
Event: SPIE's International Symposium on Optical Science, Engineering, and Instrumentation, 1998, San Diego, CA, United States

Abstract

Various non-destructive optical characterization techniques have been used to characterize and identify synthetic gem materials grown from hydrothermal solutions, to include ruby, sapphire, emerald, amethyst and ametrine (amethyst-citrine), from their natural counterparts. The ability to observe internal features, such as inclusions, dislocations, twins, color bands, and growth zoning in gem materials is strongly dependent on the observation techniques and conditions, since faceted gemstones have many polished surfaces which can reflect and scatter light in various directions which can make observation difficult. However, diagnostic gemological properties of these faceted synthetic gem materials can be obtained by choosing effective optical characterization methods, and by modifying optical instruments. Examples of some of the distinctive features of synthetic amethyst, ametrine, pink quartz, ruby and emerald are presented to illustrate means of optical characterization of gemstones. The ability to observe defects by light scattering techniques is discussed.

Citation Download Citation

Taijin Lu and James E. Shigley "Optical characterization of synthetic faceted gem materials grown from hydrothermal solutions", Proc. SPIE 3425, Optical Diagnostic Methods for Inorganic Transmissive Materials, (8 October 1998); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.326676

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