Characteristic and Identification of Bleached and Filled Aquamarine

Abstract

The aquamarine samples were collected from gem factories and jewelry markets, and the gemmological characteristics, infrared spectra and fluorescence images were tested and analyzed. The results showed that blue flashes and bubles can be seen in the sample when magnified. Infrared spectra showed a group of absorption peaks related to epoxy resin near 2 879, 2 932, 2 962, 3 035 cm-1 and 3 055 cm-1indicating that the samples have been filled. Through magnification, cracks can be seen on the surface of the samples. The fluorescence images under DiamondViewTM showed that bluish white fluorescence interlaces densely in the sample. The micro-infrared spectra showed the absorption peaks related to epoxy resin in the central area of sample slices, indicating that the sample structure was damaged and the filling degree was serious. Such samples should be named "bleached and filled aquamarine" according to the China national standard Gems-Nomenclature.