Elemental Analysis of Indian Natural Chrysoberyl Gemstones by PIXE Technique

Abstract

A selected number of Indian Eastern Ghats’ natural Chrysoberyl gemstones were studied with a powerful nuclear analytical proton-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) technique. Sixteen elements, including Al, Cr, Ti, V, Cu, Fe, Pb, Mo, La and Ce, were identified in these Chrysoberyl gemstones and may be helpful in interpreting the various geochemical circumstances and the probable cause of their origin in the Eastern Ghats. The PIXE technique is an attractive method for quickly determining the elemental concentration of a material. The PIXE measurements were performed at the Ion Beam Laboratory, Institute of Physics (IOP), Bhubaneswar, using 3 MV tandem accelerator. The well-collimated 3 meV proton beam of 2 mm diameter was employed to irradiate the gemstone samples. Moreover, preliminary XRD studies of different Chrysoberyl patterns were performed and major compositional elements were confirmed by XRD. The chemical constituents of Chrysoberyl gemstones from Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India, were analysed, and gemological studies were performed. Thus, in the present study, the usefulness and versatility of the PIXE system for research in geo-scientific methodology particularly in gemology are established.