Choudhary G. (2010) Glass with crystalline aggregates, Gems & Gemology, Vol. 46, No. 4, pp 328 -329
Glass is the most common gem simulant, and can show a wide variety of colours, transparencies, and optical effects. The Gem Testing Laboratory of Jaipur, India, received a green 25.04 ct octagonal step cut specimen which had the translucency of chalcedony and the colour of emerald. Microscopic examination with fiber-optic light revealed aggregates of colourless crystalline features throughout the sample. The presence of these crystals initially suggested a natural origin. On the basis of gemmological properties and FTIR / EDXRF analysis, the specimen was identified as glass. Such specimens make very convincing gem simulants. In the absence of proper gemological testing and FTIR/EDXRF analysis, there is a strong possibility of misidentification
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