Pressed Gibbsite and Calcite as a Rhodochrosite Imitation

Abstract

ket, with gemological properties, chemical composition, and structural characteristics that are different from natural rhodochrosite. In this investigation, four samples— two imitations and two rhodochrosites—were examined by standard gemological testing, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, FTIR, and Raman microspectroscopy. Examination revealed that the imitations are composed of pressed gibbsite and calcite powder with a granular structure, which are easy to identify through standard gemological testing.