Department of Mineralogy and Crystallography

GemLab

Gemmological Investigations

Determination of lattice parameters (X-rays) on single crystals, X-ray diffraction patterns of polycrystalline samples at CCD diffractometer, non-destructive.

Contact: Gerald Giester

Powder diffraction lines of dyed gibbsite

Quartz: powder and single crystal diffraction images

Single crystal diffraction image of phenakite

Glass imitation of fireopal with X-ray pattern

Quantitative chemical analysis with TRACER IV_SD handheld XRF analyzer. Non-destructive investigations of single crystals, polycrystalline samples, glass and metals.

Contact: Gerald Giester

Chemical analysis' chart of ruby, lead-glass filled

Chemical analysis' chart of "Malossi" emerald, hydrothermal

Chemical analysis' chart of titanclinohumite

Chemical analysis' chart of elbaite / Paraiba turmaline

Chemical analysis' chart of gadolinium gallium garnet

Philippus I, 244-249, Antoninian Roman silver coin

Chemical analysis' chart of Philippus I, 244-249, Antoninian Roman silver coin

Salt cup, uranium glass, Art Deco about 1930

Chemical analysis' chart of uranium glass

Gem and micro photographs.

Contact: Gerald Giester

Synthetic quartz (hydrothermal, with seed plate)

Olivine imitation (triplet, synth. spinel)

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Confocal micro Raman spectroscopy, UV luminescence microscopy, photo luminescence spectroscopy (PL).

Contact: Lutz Nasdala, Eugen Libowitzky

Corundum crystal from Sri Lanka, with an included spinel crystal (red arrow) in its centre. The inset (width of photograph approx. 2 mm) is a detail enlargement showing the spinel, which is 2 mm behind the corundum surface (left), Raman shift (right)

Natural emerald crystal in a mica schist from the Habach valley, Austrian Alps, with two cut stones. Width of photograph 2.5 cm. The clarity of the cabochon at the right was enhanced by treatment with cedar wood oil (left), Raman shift (right)

All figures from: Nasdala, L., Banerjee, A., Häger, T., Hofmeister, W. (2001): Laser-Raman micro-spectroscopy in mineralogical research. – Microscopy and Analysis, Europ. ed. 70: 7-9.

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Confocal micro Raman spectroscopy, UV luminescence microscopy, photo luminescence spectroscopy (PL).

Contact: Manfred Wildner, Eugen Libowitzky

Hydrothermally synthesised amethyst (left) and the IR spectrum in the OH stretching vibrational region (right)

Hydrothermally synthesised amethyst with IR spectrum

Characterisation of submicroscopic hydrous mineral inclusions: IR spectra of sapphires in the OH stretching vibrational region, taken through turbid crystal parts;
a) OH bands of kaolinite, b) OH bands of diaspore