Geographic origin determination in emeralds from Colombia, Zambia, and Pakistan: photoluminescence analysis and correlation with trace elements

Javier  García-Toloza; Carlos Julio  Cedeño; Valentina González; Holman Alvarado; Gabriel  Angarita; Cristian David Ochoa; Juan David Ávila; Camilo Betancur-Acevedo

doi:10.21701/bolgeomin/135.4/001

Authors

Javier García-Toloza Centro de Desarrollo Tecnológico de la Esmeralda Colombiana CDTEC - Universidad Nacional de Colombia - Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1200-1580
Carlos Julio Cedeño Centro de Desarrollo Tecnológico de la Esmeralda Colombiana CDTEC https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8171-9604
Valentina González Universidad Nacional de Colombia https://orcid.org/0009-0004-7269-4651
Holman Alvarado Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6386-6918
Gabriel Angarita Centro de Desarrollo Tecnológico de la Esmeralda Colombiana CDTEC https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9893-4770
Cristian David Ochoa Centro de Desarrollo Tecnológico de la Esmeralda Colombiana CDTEC - Universidad Nacional de Colombia https://orcid.org/0009-0007-8225-3843
Juan David Ávila Centro de Desarrollo Tecnológico de la Esmeralda Colombiana CDTEC - Universidad Nacional de Colombia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1203-274X
Camilo Betancur-Acevedo Centro de Desarrollo Tecnológico de la Esmeralda Colombiana CDTEC - Universidad Nacional de Colombia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7325-2223

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21701/bolgeomin/135.4/001

Keywords:

Geochemistry, Photoluminescence, Origin, Gemology

Abstract

Determining an emerald's origin can be challenging due to the presence of crystals with similar physicochemical properties in different parts of the world. The analyses of the chemical composition of emeralds have become increasingly relevant in light of the diverse genetic environments in which they are found. However, discovering new deposits with comparable characteristics has prompted researchers to develop innovative techniques for determining their provenance. This publication presents the results of a photoluminescence analysis to differentiate Colombian emeralds from those from other parts of the world, specifically from Zambia and Pakistan. The study employed the wavelength position of R1 in 684 nm to achieve this differentiation. Furthermore, it allows for the differentiation between crystals of both Colombian emerald belts, utilising the R1 position at 683.65 nm and its intensity. Chemical analysis grants emeralds from both belts to be distinguished by the quantity of elements such as K, Cl, and Sc, as well as the ratio between chromophore elements (Cr/V). Finally, the low abundance of elements such as Fe, Ti, Cu, Zn, and Ni in Colombian emeralds compared with those from Zambia and Pakistan allows further differentiation among deposits.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Abduriyim, A., & Kitawaki, H. (2006). Applications of laser ablation - inductively coupled plasma - mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) to gemology. Gems and Gemology, 42(2), 98-118. https://doi.org/10.5741/GEMS.42.2.98

Alonso-Perez, R., & Day, J. M. D. (2021). Rare Earth Element and Incompatible Trace Element Abundances in Emeralds Reveal Their Formation Environments. Minerals, 11(5), 513. https://doi.org/10.3390/min11050513

Alonso-Perez, R., Day, J. M., Pearson, D. G., Luo, Y., Palacios, M. A.,Sudhakar, R., & Palke, A. (2024). Exploring emerald global geochemical provenance through fingerprinting and machine learning methods. Artificial Intelligence in Geosciences, 5, p. 100085. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aiig.2024.100085

Araújo Neto, J. F. de, Müller, A., Barreto, S. de B., Santos, L. C. M. de L., and Carrino, T. A. (2019). Mineralogical and gemological characterization of emerald crystals from Paraná deposit, NE Brazil: a study of mineral chemistry, absorption and reflectance spectroscopy and thermal analysis. Brazilian Journal of Geology, 49(3), e20190014. https://doi.org/10.1590/2317-4889201920190014

Banks, D. A., Giuliani, G., Yardley, B. W. D., & Cheilletz, A. (2000). Emerald mineralisation in Colombia: Fluid chemistry and the role of brine mixing. Mineralium Deposita, 35, 699-713. https://doi.org/10.1007/s001260050273

Bersani, D., Azzi, G., Lambruschi, E., Barone, G., Mazzoleni, P., Raneri, S., & Lottici, P. P. (2014). Characterization of emeralds by micro-Raman spectroscopy. Journal of Raman Spectroscopy, 45, 11-12. https://doi.org/10.1002/jrs.4524. https://doi.org/10.1002/jrs.4524

Breeding, C. M., & Shigley, J. E. (2009). The "type" classification system of diamonds and its importance in gemology. Gems & Gemology, 45(2), 96-111. https://doi.org/10.5741/GEMS.45.2.96

Cedeño, C. J., Jiménez, J. F., Herreño, J. H., & Fortaleché, D. (2015). Progress on the study of parameters related to the origin of Colombian emeralds. Color, World Emer, (Special Issue), 88-97.

Giuliani, G., & Groat, L. A. (2019). Geology of corundum and emerald gem deposits: a review. Gems and Gemology, 55(4), 464-489. https://doi.org/10.5741/GEMS.55.4.464

Giuliani, G., Silva, L. J. H. D., & Couto, P. (1990). Origin of emerald deposits of Brazil. Mineralium Deposita, 25, 57-64. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03326384

Giuliani, G., Cheilletz, A., Sheppard, S. M. F., & Arboleda, C. (1993). Geochemistry and origin of the emerald deposits of Colombia. En Fenoll Hach-Ali, Torres-Ruiz y Gervilla (Eds.), Current research in geology applied to ore deposits (pp. 105-108). Biennial SGA Meeting, 2, Granada (España), 1993/09/09-11. ISBN 84-338-1772-8.

Giuliani, G., Cheilletz, A., Arboleda, C., Carrillo, V., Rueda, F., & Baker, J. H. (1995). An evaporitic origin of the parent brines of Colombian emeralds: fluid inclusion and sulphur isotope evidence. European Journal of Mineralogy, 7(1), 151-165. https://doi.org/10.1127/ejm/7/1/0151

Giuliani, G., Groat, L. A., Marshall, D., Fallick, A. E., & Branquet, Y. (2019). Emerald deposits: A review and enhanced classification. Minerals, 9(2), 105. https://doi.org/10.3390/min9020105

Groat, L. A., Giuliani, G., Marshall, D. D., & Turner, D. (2008). Emerald deposits and occurrences: A review. Ore Geology Reviews, 34(1-2), 87-112. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oregeorev.2007.09.003

Kane, R. E., & Liddicoat, T. (1985). The Biron hydrothermal synthetic emerald. Gems & Gemology, 21(3), 156-70. https://doi.org/10.5741/GEMS.21.3.156

Karampelas, S., Al-Alawi, A., Al-Shaybani, B., Mohamed, F., & Sangsawong, S. (2019). Emeralds from the most important occurrences: Chemical and spectroscopic data. Minerals, 9(9), 561. https://doi.org/10.3390/min9090561

Kazmi, A. H., & Snee, L. W. (1989). Emeralds of Pakistan: Geology, Gemology, and Genesis. Geological Survey of Pakistan, Professional Papers. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-5826-6

Kiefert, L., & Karampelas, S. (2011). Use of the Raman spectrometer in gemmological laboratories: Review. Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy, 80, 119-124. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.saa.2011.03.004 PMid:21530372

Krzemnicki, M. S., Wang, H. A. O., and Büche, S. (2021). A new type of emerald from Afghanistan's Panjshir Valley. The Journal of Gemmology, 37(5), 474-495. https://doi.org/10.15506/JoG.2021.37.5.474

Lim, H., Park, S., Cheong, H., Choi, H.-M., & Kim, Y. C. (2010). Discrimination between natural and HPHT-treated type IIa diamonds using photoluminescence spectroscopy. Diamond and Related Materials, 19(10), 1254-1258. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.diamond.2010.06.007

Moroz, I., Roth, M., Boudeulle, M., & Panczer, G. (2000). Raman Microspectroscopy and Flourescence of Emeralds from Various Deposits. Journal of Raman Spectroscopy, 31, 485-490. https://doi.org/10.1002/1097-4555(200006)31:6<485::AID-JRS561>3.0.CO;2-M

Nassau, K. (1978). The origins of color in minerals. American Mineralogist, 63(3-4), 219-229.

Palke A., Saeseaw, S., Renfro N. D., Sun Z., & McClure, F. (2019). Geographic origin determination of blue sapphire. Gems & Gemology, 55(4), 536-579. https://doi.org/10.5741/GEMS.55.4.536

Saeseaw S., Pardieu V., & Sangsawong S. (2014). Three-Phase Inclusions in Emerald and Their Impact on Origin Determination. Gems & Gemology, 50(2), 114-132. https://doi.org/10.5741/GEMS.50.2.114

Saeseaw, S., Renfro, N. D., Palke, A. C., Sun, Z., & McClure, S. F. (2019). Geographic Origin Determination of Emerald. Gems & Gemology, 55(4), 614-646. https://doi.org/10.5741/GEMS.55.4.614

Schmetzer, K. (2015). Photoluminescence of emeralds: Sample orientation procedure and correlation of the R1 peak position with SiO2 contents. Journal of Gemmology, 34, (5), 441-443. https://doi.org/10.15506/JoG.2015.34.5.441

Thompson, D. B., Kidd, J. D., Åström, M., Scarani, A., & Smith, C. P. (2014). A Comparison of R-line Photoluminescence of Emeralds from Different Origins. The Journal of Gemmology, 34(4), 334-343. https://doi.org/10.15506/JoG.2014.34.4.334

Thompson, D. B., Bayens, C. J., Morgan, M. B., Myrick, T. J., & Sims, N. E. (2017). Photoluminescence spectra of emeralds from Colombia, Afghanistan, and Zambia. Gems & Gemology, 53(3), 296-311. https://doi.org/10.5741/GEMS.53.3.296

Wood, D. L. (1965). Absorption, fluorescence, and Zeeman effect in Emerald. The Journal of Chemical Physics, 42(10), 3404-3410. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.1695742

Wotherspoon, A., Steeds, J. W., Catmull, B., & Butler, J. (2003). Photoluminescence and positron annihilation measurements of nitrogen doped CVD diamond. Diamond and Related Materials, 12, 652-657. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0925-9635(02)00229-7

Zwaan, J. C., Seifert, A. V., Vrána, S., Laurs, B. M., Anckar, B., Simmons, W. B., Falster, A. U., Lustenhouwer, W. J., Muhlmeister, S., Koivula, J. I., & Garcia-Guillerminet, H. (2005). Emeralds from the Kafubu area, Zambia. Gems & Gemology, 41(2), 116-148. https://doi.org/10.5741/GEMS.41.2.116