Original paper
Microstructure and origin of colour of chrysoprase from Haneti (Tanzania)
Graetsch, Heribert A.
Neues Jahrbuch für Mineralogie - Abhandlungen Band 188 Heft 2 (2011), p. 111 - 117
published: Apr 1, 2011
DOI: 10.1127/0077-7757/2011/0187
ArtNo. ESP154018802002, Price: 29.00 €
Abstract
Chrysoprase from Haneti, Tanzania, was investigated by optical reflectance spectroscopy, near infrared absorption spectroscopy and X-ray powder diffraction. Different to chrysoprase from other sources, the green colour is caused by the incorporation of 0.47(6) wt. % gaspeite in the microstructure of microcrystalline quartz.Like other varieties of chalcedony, the microstructure of chrysoprase is characterised by planar lattice faults, a small moganite content, small crystallite size of the quartz domains, microstrain associated with the structural imperfections and a small content of non-essential water. The crystallinity of chrysoprase from Haneti is higher than from many other sources.
Keywords
chrysoprase • gaspeite • chalcedony • moganite • microstructure