May 4, 2007

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  Metallic inclusions in Canadian  Amethyst

  
  

   

  
  

  

  
  

  hematite Inclusions

  
  

    hematite or iron hydroxide, goethite  inclusions

  
  

   

  
  

   

  
  

  Pyrite Cubes

  
  

   

  
  

   

  
  

  Chalcopyrite?  CuFeS₂    Inclusions

  
  

   

  
  

  

  
  

   the green stuff is in the family : chlorite ± fuchsite ± epidote

  
  

   

  
  

  

  
  

  
  

  The jury is still out on this  ..however

  
  

  the presence of the green chlorite mineral is promising

  
  

  as its presence along with the many gold mines surrounding the location …points to the distinct possibility

  
  

  you are looking at this

  
  

   

  
  

   A novelity

  
  

  Gold included Amethyst…~!

  
  

  now wouldn’t that totally Rock !!

  
  

   

  
  

   

  
  

   

  
  

  

  
  

   

  
  

  

  
  

   

  
  

   

  
  

   

  
  

   

  
  

  

  
  

   

  
  

  

  
  

   

  
  

   

  
  

  

  
  

   

  
  

  

  
  

   

  
  

  Chromophores

  
  

  Electrons, negatively charged particles, exist at different energy levels within an atom. The electrons at the highest levels are in the outer orbitals, which can be completely or partially filled with electrons. Radiant energy (photons) of light can enter a crystal and elevate an electron to a higher orbital, if it is a partially filled energy level, and be absorbed in the process (Hurlbut & Kammerling, 1991, p. 70). This selective absorption of wavelengths, and electron oscillation between orbital levels, can cause color and fluorescence.

  
  

  The so-called transition metal elements, titanium, vanadium, chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, and copper, all have the outer orbitals partially filled. These elements, when present as a major portion of the chemical formula or as impurities within a crystal, are the common coloring agents of minerals. Therefore, it is the chromophores or the electronic configuration of ions of transition elements present in the crystal’s structure that can produce color. One transition element can produce different colors when occupying different sites within the crystal structure.

  
  

  Different oxidation states of elements can also influence absorption. Ferrous iron (Fe²⁺) creates green, but ferric iron (Fe³⁺), found in a similar crystal structural site, can produce the yellow  And  iron as (FeO₄)^4-  produces a purple color

  
  

  http://www.emporia.edu/earthsci/amber/go340/visual.htm

  
  

   

  
  

   

  
  

   

  • 1:20 am
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