Mineralogical Characteristics and Color Origin of Nephrite Containing Pink Minerals
Recently, a variety of nephrite containing localized pink mineral aggregates has emerged on the market, which is sometimes referred to as “peach blossom jade” by some merchants. Currently, there is limited research on this type of nephrite containing pink minerals, and its detailed mineral compositi...
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2025-02-01
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| author | Ye Yuan Youxuan Li Miao Shi |
| author_facet | Ye Yuan Youxuan Li Miao Shi |
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| description | Recently, a variety of nephrite containing localized pink mineral aggregates has emerged on the market, which is sometimes referred to as “peach blossom jade” by some merchants. Currently, there is limited research on this type of nephrite containing pink minerals, and its detailed mineral composition characteristics and coloration mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, four samples of nephrite containing pink minerals were systematically investigated using conventional gemological tests, as well as modern analytical techniques such as X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (IR), laser Raman spectroscopy, ultraviolet–visible (UV-Vis) absorption spectroscopy, electron probe microanalysis (EPMA), and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF). These techniques were employed to elucidate the mineral composition, chemical composition, spectroscopic features, and coloration origins of the samples. The results indicate that the primary mineral constituent of the samples is tremolite, with accessory minerals including zoisite, muscovite, orthoclase, andesine, diopside, and prehnite. The major chemical components of the samples are SiO<sub>2</sub>, CaO, and MgO, along with minor amounts of Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>, K<sub>2</sub>O, and FeO<sub>T</sub>. The overall green hue of the samples is positively correlated with Fe content. The pink mineral present in the samples is predominantly Mn-bearing zoisite, and the pink coloration of zoisite is primarily attributed to the energy level transitions of Mn<sup>2+</sup> at approximately 540 nm and 440 nm. |
| format | Article |
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| institution | DOAJ |
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| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-a9cb936e2a3142b58e67f43c1276e6852025-08-20T02:44:59ZengMDPI AGCrystals2073-43522025-02-0115215110.3390/cryst15020151Mineralogical Characteristics and Color Origin of Nephrite Containing Pink MineralsYe Yuan0Youxuan Li1Miao Shi2School of Gemology, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, ChinaSchool of Gemology, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, ChinaHebei Key Laboratory of Green Development of Rock Mineral Materials, Hebei GEO University, Shijiazhuang 050031, ChinaRecently, a variety of nephrite containing localized pink mineral aggregates has emerged on the market, which is sometimes referred to as “peach blossom jade” by some merchants. Currently, there is limited research on this type of nephrite containing pink minerals, and its detailed mineral composition characteristics and coloration mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, four samples of nephrite containing pink minerals were systematically investigated using conventional gemological tests, as well as modern analytical techniques such as X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopy (IR), laser Raman spectroscopy, ultraviolet–visible (UV-Vis) absorption spectroscopy, electron probe microanalysis (EPMA), and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF). These techniques were employed to elucidate the mineral composition, chemical composition, spectroscopic features, and coloration origins of the samples. The results indicate that the primary mineral constituent of the samples is tremolite, with accessory minerals including zoisite, muscovite, orthoclase, andesine, diopside, and prehnite. The major chemical components of the samples are SiO<sub>2</sub>, CaO, and MgO, along with minor amounts of Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>, K<sub>2</sub>O, and FeO<sub>T</sub>. The overall green hue of the samples is positively correlated with Fe content. The pink mineral present in the samples is predominantly Mn-bearing zoisite, and the pink coloration of zoisite is primarily attributed to the energy level transitions of Mn<sup>2+</sup> at approximately 540 nm and 440 nm.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4352/15/2/151nephritezoisitemineralogical characteristicsspectroscopic characteristicscolor origin |
| spellingShingle | Ye Yuan Youxuan Li Miao Shi Mineralogical Characteristics and Color Origin of Nephrite Containing Pink Minerals Crystals nephrite zoisite mineralogical characteristics spectroscopic characteristics color origin |
| title | Mineralogical Characteristics and Color Origin of Nephrite Containing Pink Minerals |
| title_full | Mineralogical Characteristics and Color Origin of Nephrite Containing Pink Minerals |
| title_fullStr | Mineralogical Characteristics and Color Origin of Nephrite Containing Pink Minerals |
| title_full_unstemmed | Mineralogical Characteristics and Color Origin of Nephrite Containing Pink Minerals |
| title_short | Mineralogical Characteristics and Color Origin of Nephrite Containing Pink Minerals |
| title_sort | mineralogical characteristics and color origin of nephrite containing pink minerals |
| topic | nephrite zoisite mineralogical characteristics spectroscopic characteristics color origin |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4352/15/2/151 |
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