Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
5.0
2.4
Journals
Crystals
Special Issues
Modern Gem Crystals: Synthesis, Characterization, Genesis and Intelligent Analysis
share announcement

Modern Gem Crystals: Synthesis, Characterization, Genesis and Intelligent Analysis

A special issue of Crystals (ISSN 2073-4352). This special issue belongs to the section "Mineralogical Crystallography and Biomineralization".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2026 | Viewed by 2393

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Ye Yuan

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Gemology, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, China
Interests: gemology; gem mineralogy; gem deposits; optical spectroscopy; gemstone treatment
Prof. Dr. Guanghai Shi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
State Key Laboratory of Geological Processes and Mineral Resources, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, China
Interests: mineralogy; petrology; ore deposits; U-Pb geochronology gemmology; microstructures
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Fei Liu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Geology, Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Xicheng District, Beijing, China
Interests: diamond-hosted in ophiolite and kimberlite; gem geology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The field of gemology is undergoing a rapid transformation, evolving from classical mineralogical observation into a data-driven, high-precision science. The growing complexity of the gemstone market—driven by the emergence of novel synthetic materials, sophisticated enhancement treatments, and the critical need for geographic origin traceability—requires equally advanced analytical solutions.

This Special Issue, “Modern Gem Crystals: Synthesis, Characterization, Genesis and Intelligent Analysis”, aims to highlight the intersection of fundamental mineralogy and cutting-edge technology. We seek to gather research that not only explore the geological genesis and physical properties of gem materials but also pioneer the application of digitization and artificial intelligence in the industry.

We invite researchers to contribute original papers and reviews covering, but not limited to, the following themes:

  • Advanced Characterization: Application of modern spectroscopic (Raman, FTIR, PL, and UV-Vis) and chemical (LA-ICP-MS, EDXRF, and LIBS) techniques in gem identification.
  • Genesis and Traceability: Research on geological formation, inclusion analysis, and chemical fingerprinting to determine geographic origin.
  • Synthetics and Treatments: Detection mechanisms for laboratory-grown gems and novel enhancement processes (e.g., heat treatment, irradiation, and diffusion).
  • Digitalization and Intelligence: The implementation of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning algorithms, and big data analysis in gemstone grading, spectral matching, and automated screening.
  • New Discoveries: Mineralogical studies of rare gem varieties and characterization of new deposits.

This issue aspires to present a comprehensive overview of how modern technology is reshaping our understanding and evaluation of gemstones.

Dr. Ye Yuan
Prof. Dr. Guanghai Shi
Dr. Fei Liu
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Crystals is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2100 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • gemology
  • mineralogy
  • geographic-origin determination
  • spectroscopy
  • synthetic gemstones
  • treatment detection
  • artificial intelligence (AI) in gemology
  • digitalization
  • non-destructive testing

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (4 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

18 pages, 60393 KB  
Article
Mineralogical Characteristics of White Nephrite from Dikou, Fujian Province, Southeastern China
by Shuo Ran and Yingxin Liu
Crystals 2026, 16(5), 284; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst16050284 - 24 Apr 2026
Viewed by 225
Abstract
Nephrite is a significant jade resource, and systematic investigation of its deposits contributes to regional metallogenic synthesis and exploration targeting. The recently discovered white nephrite deposit in the Dikou area, Fujian Province, remains inadequately characterized. This study presents a comprehensive mineralogical investigation employing [...] Read more.
Nephrite is a significant jade resource, and systematic investigation of its deposits contributes to regional metallogenic synthesis and exploration targeting. The recently discovered white nephrite deposit in the Dikou area, Fujian Province, remains inadequately characterized. This study presents a comprehensive mineralogical investigation employing polarizing microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, electron probe microanalysis, X-ray powder diffraction and laser Raman spectroscopy to elucidate the mineralogical and petrochemical characteristics of Dikou nephrite and constrain its genesis. The results demonstrate that tremolite constitutes the predominant mineral phase, accompanied by abundant diopside and quartz, with minor dolomite, prehnite, and apatite. Based on subtle compositional variations, tremolite can be categorized into two generations: early metasomatic Tr-I and late-stage Tr-II. All tremolite samples exhibit Fe-depleted, Mg-enriched composition with Mg# > 0.99. The mineral assemblage and textural relationships record multiple episodes of hydrothermal metasomatism. Integrated with the regional geological constraints, the deposit formation is genetically linked to the Neoproterozoic–Early Paleozoic ocean–continent transition of the South China Plate and is classified as D-type nephrite. The Dikou nephrite exhibits the mineral assemblage typical of dolomite-related deposits, displaying a distinctive felt-like fibrous texture that yields a homogeneous structure and superior aesthetic quality. Its Fe-depleted composition imparts a notably lighter coloration relative to D-type nephrite from other deposits. This study advances understanding of Dikou nephrite genesis, highlights the diversity of metallogenic environments in Fujian Province, and provides a theoretical framework for exploration of analogous deposits. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modern Gem Crystals: Synthesis, Characterization, Genesis and Intelligent Analysis)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 4825 KB  
Article
Gemological Study of Black Nephrite from Dahua, Guangxi Province, China
by Mingying Cui, Mingyue He, Mei Yang, Bijie Peng and Shaokun Wu
Crystals 2026, 16(4), 220; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst16040220 - 25 Mar 2026
Viewed by 559
Abstract
Dahua in Guangxi is an important soft jade mining area in southern China. Despite this, research on the nephrite from this region, particularly on the coloring mechanism of black nephrite, remains limited. This study systematically investigates the gemological, mineralogical, and geochemical properties of [...] Read more.
Dahua in Guangxi is an important soft jade mining area in southern China. Despite this, research on the nephrite from this region, particularly on the coloring mechanism of black nephrite, remains limited. This study systematically investigates the gemological, mineralogical, and geochemical properties of black nephrite from Dahua. Petrographic analysis reveals that tremolite is the primary mineral, with clinochlore and apatite as associated minerals. Tremolite (SiO2: 58.00 wt%; MgO: 24.75 wt%; CaO: 12.46 wt%) in Dahua nephrite is close to the theoretical values of tremolite. Chlorite thermometry indicates formation temperatures of 240 °C and 328 °C. Geochemical analysis of the samples shows enrichment in light rare earth elements (LREEs), flat heavy rare earth element (HREEs) patterns, and Ce and Eu anomalies. The Mg2+/(Mg2+ + Fe2+) ratio was below 0.06. In the c(Ca2+), c(Mg2+), and c(Fe2+ + Fe3+) ternary diagram, the amphibole plots close to the Dahua green nephrite, suggesting a similar genetic environment and supporting a contact metasomatic origin for the amphibole. Combined with the geological setting, mineralization was driven by hydrothermal fluids from diabase magma, which introduced Si and heat, with Ca and Mg being mobilized from the dolomitic limestone host rocks. These findings contribute to the understanding of nephrite formation in Dahua, distinguishing it from nephrite from other regions and providing a foundation for future studies on the geochemical and mineralogical characteristics of nephrite. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modern Gem Crystals: Synthesis, Characterization, Genesis and Intelligent Analysis)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 13437 KB  
Article
Correlation Between Crystalline Order, Micro-Morphology, and Thermal Stability in “Heijin” (Black Gold) Seal Stone from Changhua, China: A Pyrite-Bearing Dickite Aggregate
by Ye Yuan, Jingfu Yang, Shaokun Wu and Miao Shi
Crystals 2026, 16(3), 165; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst16030165 - 27 Feb 2026
Viewed by 294
Abstract
“Heijin” (the literal translation from Chinese being “Black Gold”) seal stone represents a unique variety of sulfur-rich, dickite-dominant jade, yet its mineralogical genesis and structural properties remain insufficiently characterized. This study utilizes a multi-analytical approach comprising polarized light microscopy, X-Ray diffraction (XRD), Raman [...] Read more.
“Heijin” (the literal translation from Chinese being “Black Gold”) seal stone represents a unique variety of sulfur-rich, dickite-dominant jade, yet its mineralogical genesis and structural properties remain insufficiently characterized. This study utilizes a multi-analytical approach comprising polarized light microscopy, X-Ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy coupled with Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), Electron Probe Microanalysis (EPMA), and Thermogravimetry and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (TG-DSC) to investigate the phase composition, crystalline order, and thermal evolution of this material. The results demonstrate that “Heijin” stone is primarily composed of highly ordered 2M1 dickite with a Hinckley index (HI) ranging from 0.92 to 1.50. Its distinctive black appearance originates from the disseminated distribution of micrometer-scale pyrite, which is accompanied by trace amounts of svanbergite. This aluminum phosphate–sulfate (APS) mineral serves as a critical indicator of high sulfur fugacity and acidic hydrothermal alteration environments. Furthermore, a significant correlation exists between the crystalline order of dickite, its micro-morphology, and its thermal stability. Samples characterized by high crystallinity (HI ≈ 1.50) exhibit well-developed, euhedral book-like aggregates and elevated dehydroxylation temperatures (Tm ≈ 665 °C), whereas samples with lower crystalline order correspond to fragmented microstructures and reduced thermal stability. This research defines the mineralogical identity of “Heijin” stone and provides a scientific basis for employing thermal analysis to evaluate the crystalline quality of dickite-based jade materials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modern Gem Crystals: Synthesis, Characterization, Genesis and Intelligent Analysis)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 7415 KB  
Article
Jadeite from Guatemala: New Observations and Distinctions Among Lavender and Black Jade
by Mengxi Zhao, Bo Xu, Siyi Zhao, Yining Liu and Zitong Li
Crystals 2026, 16(2), 130; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst16020130 - 11 Feb 2026
Viewed by 804
Abstract
This study systematically investigates the mineralogical, spectral, and geochemical characteristics of Guatemalan lavender jadeite and black omphacite to elucidate their coloration mechanisms and genetic origins. Lavender samples are primarily composed of jadeite, which derives its color from synergistic effects involving Mn3+ and [...] Read more.
This study systematically investigates the mineralogical, spectral, and geochemical characteristics of Guatemalan lavender jadeite and black omphacite to elucidate their coloration mechanisms and genetic origins. Lavender samples are primarily composed of jadeite, which derives its color from synergistic effects involving Mn3+ and Fe2+-Ti4+ charge transfer (554–614 nm). In contrast, black samples are dominated by omphacite, which owes its dark hue to Cr3+ (670 nm) and Fe2+-Fe3+ charge transfer (857 nm). Chemically, lavender jadeite exhibits higher Na2O and Al2O3, approaching the jadeite end-member composition, whereas black omphacite is enriched in CaO, MgO, and FeO. Trace element analyses reveal low overall abundances, with black omphacite showing synchronous LREE and HREE depletion forming a “bulge-shaped” pattern, while lavender jadeite displays N-MORB-like REE distributions. Guatemalan jadeites are distinguished from Myanmar counterparts by Y enrichment. The identification of graphite and CH4 and CO2 fluid inclusions indicates formation in an organic-rich reducing environment. Cathodoluminescence zoning and abundant fluid inclusions support a direct crystallization genesis from high-pressure fluids (P-type) in subduction zones. This study establishes key constraints for origin discrimination and genetic classification of Guatemalan lavender jadeite and black omphacite. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Modern Gem Crystals: Synthesis, Characterization, Genesis and Intelligent Analysis)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-4
Back to TopTop