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The Geochemistry of Gems and Its Relevance to Gemology: Different Traces, Different Prices

¹ Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences
California Institute of Technology
Pasadena, CA 91125-2500, USA
E-mail: grr{at}gps.caltech.edu

In colored gems, minor and trace chemical components commonly determine the difference between a common mineral specimen and a gemstone. Also, these components are often responsible for the color, and may provide a "fingerprint" for determining the provenance of the gemstone. The minor elements that are incorporated will depend on local geologic conditions such as temperature, redox conditions, and, particularly, chemistry.

KEYWORDS: gemstone, provenance, color, geochemistry

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