LA-ICP-MS Analysis of Natural Orangy-pink Sapphires ("Padparadscha") Enhanced With the New E(IM1)-Method with Details onTrace Elements Concentrations

Fig. 43 Faceted orangy-pink sapphire cut in half after E(IM1) enhancement. A trail of Laser ablation craters is visible (80 micrometer diameter), produced during the measurement of the chemical composition of the gemstones, due to evaporation of test material by applying the Laser. A data point every 100 micrometers (approx) could be obtained.

Fig. 44 Chemical variation in a profile through an orangy-pink sapphire enhanced with the new method. All the elements found are shown except Al. Note: Dominant concentrations of Fe and Cr, and the symmetrical variation in composition with depletion of Fe, Cr, Ti, Mg in the outer zone (1-3 and 18-20) and enrichment in points 5-7 and 13-17. Fig. 45 Same profile as Fig. 44, but only the Beryllium concentrations are shown. Highest Be-concentrations are found in the rim (points 1-3 and 18-20). The Be-concentrations gradually decrease towards the center (penetration depth approx. 200-300 micrometer in ppm) Fig. 46 LA-ICP-MS analysis in a profile across the sample (in ppm). Comparison of Mg and Be-enriched zones in the enhanced sapphire. The Mg-concentrations are about 5-10 times higher than the Beryllium concentrations.

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