Crystallinity and play-of-colour in gem opal with digit patterns from Wegel Tena, Ethiopia

Abstract

A typical feature of Wegel Tena opal is the ʺdigit patternʺ. This pattern consists of two parts, columns and matrix, with different colours, transparency or play-of-colour effect, which is still unexplained. This study aims at investigating the various parts of the digit pattern using different spectroscopic methods, and scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM). The band at 780 cm−1 on the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrum is correlated to the symmetric stretching vibration of Si–O. The bands at 1085, 895, 785 and 3600 cm−1 on Raman spectra indicate that Wegel Tena opal is opal-CT. Comparison of the relative intensity of the Raman signals around 360 cm−1 indicates that the microcrystalline opal on the top of the sample contains a higher amount of tridymite-like structural units, and the tridymite-type regions in the matrix contain a higher degree of structural defects. Silica spheres in the columns tend to be smaller and better ordered than in the matrix. The diameter of the silica spheres (d = 80–500 nm) or agglomerates (d = 200–580 nm) in Wegel Tena opal satisfies the conditions of diffraction of visible light, and the thickness of the silica layer (h = 120–200 nm) satisfies the conditions for film interference.