Gemmological Characteristic of Blue Aragonite

Currently, a kind of blue jade appears in Guangdong market,which likes pectolite. The gemmological characteristics of this jade are researched by using conventional gemmological testing methods and Raman spectroscopy, FTIR, UV-Vis absorption spectrometer, X-ray fluorescence spectrometer. The results showed that the RI of the sample is 1.52-1.66 (point measurement), and relative density is 2.69. Raman spectrum showed that the main mineral component of the sample is aragonite, and FTIR analysis results further validated that the sample is inorganic aragonite. The results of UV-Vis absorption spectrometer and X-ray fluorescence spectrometer showed that the colour of the aragonite sample is caused by Cu²⁺, which replaces Ca²⁺ in mineral.