Fluorescence and Phosphorescence Spectroscopies and Their Applications in Gem Characterization

Abstract

Fluorescence and phosphorescence are listed as mineral optical–physical properties in classical gemology textbooks. The trace elements which exist in gems, certain defects in the crystal lattice, and some luminous molecules contribute to luminescence phenomena in gem materials, including fluorescence and phosphorescence. A systematic luminescence study using an excitation-emission matrix (EEM) not only provides detailed information about the emission and excitation peaks, but also indicates the presence of specific trace elements, lattice defects, or luminous substances in gem materials. This provides reliable evidence for the characterization of gems. In this review paper, we briefly summarize luminescence spectroscopy and illustrate its applications in gem materials in our laboratory, including diamonds, fluorite, jadeite jade, hauyne, and amber. Meanwhile, this project is in process and needs more samples from reliable sources to confirm the described data.