Feature
Gems & Gemology, Summer 1981, Vol. 17, No. 2
Scanning Electron Microscopy in Gemology
Carol M. Stockton and D. Vincent Manson
This article examines both the principles behind the functioning of the scanning electron microscope-energy dispersive spectrometer system and its application to the chemical and structural analyses of gems. The examples presented describe the distinction of natural from treated opals, the relationships observed between a diamond and its kimberlite matrix, the identification of inclusions in ruby and taaffeite, the elemental mapping and chemical analysis of maw-sit-sit, and the study of chemical interrelationships between various types of garnets.
