Laser & Optoelectronics Progress, Volume. 62, Issue 1, 0130001(2025)

Gemological Characteristics of “Cherry Rain” Quartzite Jade

Weixiao Zhang* and Siting Wu
Author Affiliations
  • Jewellery Department, Tongji Zhejiang College, Jiaxing 314051, Zhejiang , China
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    Two types of “cherry rain” quartzite jade were analyzed using standard gemological tests, X-ray fluorescence spectrometer, infrared spectroscopy, and laser Raman spectroscopy. The white-base part of both minerals is quartz, while the pink component of one variety is rhodonite and for the other one, it is elbaite. The infrared spectrum exhibits Si—O stretching vibration absorption peaks at 1078 cm-1, 962 cm-1, and 911 cm-1, the Si—O bending vibration absorption peaks at five places in the range of 750?550 cm-1, and cationic coordination octahedral absorption peaks in the range of 550?400 cm-1. The laser Raman spectrum primarily shows the [SiO4] tetrahedral vibration Raman displacement peaks at 669 cm-1, 975 cm-1, and 1000 cm-1. In the infrared spectrum, notable peaks were observed, including the [BO3]3- stretching vibration peaks at 1359 cm-1 and 1306 cm-1, Si—O—Si asymmetric stretching vibration peak at 1115 cm-1, O—Si—O asymmetric stretching vibration peak at 1033 cm-1, O—Si—O symmetric stretching vibration peak at 998 cm-1, Si—O—Si symmetric stretching vibration peaks at 796 cm-1, 721 cm-1, and 601 cm-1, and the Si—O bending vibration or [BO3]3- group vibration absorption peak near 507 cm-1. The laser Raman spectra reveal vibration displacement peaks of the [Si6O18]12- group hexagonal ring at 224 cm-1 and 376 cm-1, a [BO3]3- vibration displacement peak around 710 cm-1, and a stretching vibration displacement peak of Si—O (non-bridging oxygen) near 1089 cm-1. This indicates that the mineral composition of the aggregate is elbaite quartzite jade. The gemological characteristics of these two mineral aggregates are crucial for the identification and classification of "cherry rain" quartzite jade.

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    Weixiao Zhang, Siting Wu. Gemological Characteristics of “Cherry Rain” Quartzite Jade[J]. Laser & Optoelectronics Progress, 2025, 62(1): 0130001

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    Paper Information

    Category: Spectroscopy

    Received: Apr. 3, 2024

    Accepted: May. 22, 2024

    Published Online: Jan. 9, 2025

    The Author Email:

    DOI:10.3788/LOP241030

    CSTR:32186.14.LOP241030

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