Gemmological Characteristics of Jadeite Jade Imitation: Diopside Glass-Ceramic

The standard gemmological techniques, Fourier transform infrared spectrometer and X-ray powder diffraction analysis are used to investigate the gemmological characteristics, mineral components and infrared spectroscopy of the diopside glass-ceramic samples which resemble the natural jadeite jade in appearance.The spherulitic crystal structure of the diopside glass-ceramic samples observed under the gemmological microscope is caused by radially oriented fibers of diopside.The X-ray powder diffraction analysis suggests that the mineral components are mainly composed of diopside phase and amorphous phase.The IR spectra of the diopside glass-ceramic samples differ distinctively from that of the natural jadeite jade.