Glitter: Gems or Gyps?



George R. Rossman
 Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences
California Institute of Technoogy
Pasadena, CA  91125


Abstract

The variations of color in minerals makes the difference between a valuable gem and a worthless stone. So, naturally, there are many ingenious ways to manipulate the color. A mineralogist describes some of the pitfalls that can accompany artificially colored gemstones.
 

Turquoise

Comparision of the infrared spectra of natural and synthetic turquoise samples.

last updated: 25-Jul-2022