Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Mineralogical application of LIBS: Elemental characterization of idiochromatic, allochromatic and pseudochromatic stones

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Journal of Optics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In the present article, we report the comparative results obtained from the analysis of semi-precious stones of different classes (idiochromatic, allochromatic and pseudochromatic) using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) coupled with multivariate analysis. The point detection capability of LIBS is successfully applied for the identification of spatially distributed elements at various spots/colouration/bands in the gemstone and the identification of mineral inclusion in stones samples. Since chromophores or mineral inclusions are responsible for the colouration of the stones, the sensitivity of the point detection capability allows identification of the elements responsible for the colouration of the stones. This study reveals that white bands on the lapis lazuli samples correspond to the mineral calcite also a possibility of the presence of pyrite in the stone. Based on the spectral lines of the trace/minor elements, stones are classified in different groups by applying principal component analysis on LIBS spectral data of the stones. Visually distinct coloured zones are clustered in the same group due to their similar matrix. Further partial least square regression (PLSR) analysis of LIBS spectral data has been used to investigate Si concentration in stones. Therefore, we firmly believe that the results from the present work extend the application of LIBS together with multivariate analysis for the identification of the mineral responsible for different colours in semi-precious stones.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. A. Rai, G.S. Maurya, R. Kumar, A.K. Pathak, J.K. Pati, A.K. Rai, Analysis and discrimination of sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous Rocks using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy. J. Appl. Spectrosc. 83, 1089–1095 (2016)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  2. G.S. Senesi, P. Manzari, A. Consiglioc, O.D. Pascale, Identification and classification of meteorites using a handheld LIBS instrument coupled with a fuzzy logic-based method. J. Anal. At. Spectrom. 33(10), 1664–1675 (2018)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. A.K. Rai, J.K. Pati, C.G. Parigger, S. Dubey, A.K. Rai, B. Bhagabaty, A.C. Mazumdar, K. Duorah, The plasma spectroscopic study of Dergaon meteorite. India. Molecules. 25(4), 984 (2020)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. S. Dubey, R. Kumar, A.K. Rai, J.K. Pati, J. Kiefer, A.K. Rai, Rapid analysis of chemical composition and physical properties of gemstones using LIBS and chemometric technique. Appl. Sci. 11(13), 6156 (2021)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. S. Dubey et al., Laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS): application to geological materials. Opt. Spectrosc. 129(10), 1336 (2021)

    Google Scholar 

  6. E. Fritsch, G.S. Rossman, An update on color in gems. Part 2: colors involving multiple atoms and color centers. Gems Gemol 23(1), 126 (1987)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. K. Nassau, The origins of color in minerals. Am. Mineral. 63(3–4), 219–229 (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  8. G.R. Rossman, Colored varieties of the silica minerals, in Silica: physical behaviour, geochemistry, and materials applications Berlin. ed. by P.J. Heaney, C.T. Prewitt, G.V. Gibbs (De Gruyter, Boston, 2018), pp. 433–468

    Google Scholar 

  9. B.M. Loeffler, R.G. Burns, Shedding Light on the Color of Gems and Minerals: The selective absorption of light according to wavelength—the result of various electronic processes whose energies correspond to certain wavelengths of visible light—gives minerals their distinctive hues. Am. Sci. 64(6), 636–647 (1976)

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  10. J. Harrell, Gemstones. UCLA encyclopaedia of Egyptology 1.1 Los Angeles, 2012. pp 1–23

  11. N.W. Ashcroft and N.D. Mermin, Solid State Physics ( Harcourt college publisher 1976)

  12. M. Saleh, L. Bonizzoni, J. Orsilli, S. Samela, M. Gargano, S. Gallo, A. Galli, Application of statistical analyses for lapis lazuli stone provenance determination by XRL and XRF. Microchem. J. 154, 104655 (2020)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. T. Moutsiou, V. Kassianidou, Geochemical characterisation of carnelian beads from aceramic neolithic cyprus using portable x-ray fluorescence spectrometry (pXRF). J. Archaeol. Sci. Rep. 25, 257–265 (2019)

    Google Scholar 

  14. E.A. Monroe, Green aventurine quartz: mineralogical characterization. J. Gemm. 20, 2 (1986)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. P.J. Heaney, D.M. Fisher, New interpretation of the origin of tiger’s-eye. Geology 31(4), 323–326 (2003)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  16. National Institute of Standards and Technology, Electronic database, http://physics.nist.gov/PhysRefData/ASD/linesform.html.

  17. A.L. Giudice, Multitechnique characterization of lapis lazuli for provenance study. Anal. Bioanal. Chem. 395(7), 2211–2217 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. A. Re et al., Lapis lazuli provenance study by means of micro-PIXE. Nucl. Instrum. Methods. Phys. Res. B. 269(20), 2373–2377 (2011)

    Article  ADS  Google Scholar 

  19. G. Butler, Classifying Chalcedony. Rock and Gem. 60–61 (1995)

  20. A.K. Carter, L. Dussubieux, Geologic provenience analysis of agate and carnelian beads using laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS): a case study from Iron Age Cambodia and Thailand. J. Archaeol. Sci. Rep. 6, 321–333 (2016)

    Google Scholar 

  21. M. Bauer, Precious Stones (Charles griffin & co. Ltd., London, 2012)

    Google Scholar 

  22. J.D. Dana, A system of mineralogy. Am. J. Sci. 48, 81 (1845)

    Google Scholar 

  23. C. Frondel, Catalogue of mineral pseudomorphs in the American Museum of Natural History. Bull. Am. Mus. Nat. Hist. 67(9), 389 (1935)

    Google Scholar 

  24. L.G. Berry, B. Mason, Mineralogy: concepts, descriptions, determinations (W H Freeman and Company, San Francisco, 1956)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

Ms. S. Dubey is thankful to UGC, New Delhi, for a D.Phil. Fellowship.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, University of Allahabad, Prayagraj, 211002, India

    Sonali Dubey & Awadhesh K. Rai

  2. Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Nehru Science Centre, University of Allahabad, Prayagraj, 211002, India

    Abhishek K. Rai

  3. Department of Physics, CMP Degree College, University of Allahabad, Prayagraj, 211002, India

    Rohit Kumar

Authors
  1. Sonali Dubey
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Abhishek K. Rai
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Rohit Kumar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Awadhesh K. Rai
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Data collection and analysis were performed by SD. The first draft of the manuscript was written by SD and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Rohit Kumar or Awadhesh K. Rai.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors have no competing interests to declare that are relevant to the content of this article.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Dubey, S., Rai, A.K., Kumar, R. et al. Mineralogical application of LIBS: Elemental characterization of idiochromatic, allochromatic and pseudochromatic stones. J Opt 52, 233–241 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12596-022-00870-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12596-022-00870-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation