Nanomineralogy of gemstones: From genesis to discovery
نویسندگان
چکیده
Nanomineralogy is the study of Earth and planetary materials at nanoscales, focused on characterizing nanofeatures (like inclusions, exsolution, zonation, coatings, pores) in minerals and rocks, and revealing nanominerals and nanoparticles [1]. With advanced high-resolution analytical scanning electron microscope, we are now capable to characterize solid materials easier and faster down to nanometer-scales. During our nanomineralogy investigation of gemstones, nanofeatures are being discovered in many commom gems, which cause color and other optical effects, and provide clues to genesis. Presented here are a few colorful projects demonstrating how nanomineralogy works and plays a unique role in gemstone and geomaterial research. Rose quartz contains nanofibers of a dumortierite-related phase that is pink, which is the true cause of rose color and optical star effects [2,3]. Sub-micrometer inclusions of ilmenite are the cause of color in blue quartz. Why is obsidian black? Because most obsidians contain nanoinclusions of magnetite. ‘Fire’ obsidian, a variety of obsidian from Oregon, has thin layers showing varous colors. The layers, 300 to 700 nm thick, consist of concentrated nanocrystals of magnetite, giving rise to brilliant colors in reflection due to thin-film interference [4]. Whereas ‘rainbow’ obsidian from Mexico contains oriented nanorods of hedenbergite, which cause the rainbow effects via thin-film interference [5]. During a study of benitoite, the state gemstone of California, new mineral barioperovskite (BaTiO3) and two more new barium titanate minerals BaTi2O5 and BaTi3O7 were discovered to occur in a tubular inclusion within one benitoite crystal [6].
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