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Many more pseudomorphs are nucleated from the azurite matrix interface than nucleated from the azurite crystal surface. In conclusion, the analysis of these pseudomorph illustrations suggests the following: Azurite can continue to grow on azurite while malachite pseudomorphs are growing within. The four azurite crack surfaces have conchoidal fractures on one surface, complete coverage of new secondary azurite on a second surface, and two vertical surfaces with mixed conchoidal areas and new azurite. The governing reaction for malachite growth is: Two azurites plus one water yields three malachites plus carbon dioxide. [Extracted from the article]

Most of the micromineral inclusions generated by the RMR process in Schickler apatite appear to be REE minerals; an example EDS spectrum of a typical REE inclusion is shown in figure 2. The I T i I O i I T i modules within these minerals can be used to derive many mineral properties by first principles, e.g., habit, cleavage angles, and symmetry/polytypism (fig. 1). Among other minerals, striking red-brown apatite crystals, to 10+ cm, can be found hosted within the dissociated calcite-fluorite carbonatite matrix. However, the diversity of these modular rock-forming minerals results in complexity in terms of the crystal structures and crystal chemistries of this mineral family. [Extracted from the article]

PHOTO (COLOR): RMS Program Cover by Susan Robinson THE THIRTY-SEVENTH TECHNICAL SESSION of the Rochester Mineralogical Symposium was cancelled this year due to the COVID-19 virus. By experimenting with the addition of mica of varying thickness to the optical path when viewing a flattened gahnite and garnet in crossed polars, we found that the observed interference figure was the result of the mica even when exceedingly thin. Multiple flattened almandine crystals have also been extracted from muscovite books from Avondale, Pennsylvania. White included the results of optical analyses performed by our research group on a flattened gahnite, which showed that the crystal exhibited a distinctly biaxial interference figure despite being an isometric mineral. [Extracted from the article]

When the ginseng collector is also a mineral collector, new exposures of interesting minerals occasionally turn up. This has led to a long and fruitful collaboration between amateur collectors and professional mineralogists who have described more than four hundred different mineral species and sixty-six new or type-locality minerals from this small quarry in Quebec. The minerals found at this exposure are distinct from those found a mere 90 meters south at the Wollastonite Skarn (WSK), the classic mineral occurrence at Rose Road. The mineral specimens recovered in the years that followed the discovery of the PDM have conveyed a fascinating and complex paragenesis involving numerous different types of pseudomorphs and mineral textures. [Extracted from the article]

One spodumene crystal exceeded 11 meters in length, and crystals in excess of 2 meters in length are common. It is spodumene-rich with more than 50 percent spodumene in some of the upper portions of the pegmatite. These spodumene and montebrasite crystals are comparable in size to the famous crystals from the Etta and Hugo pegmatites in South Dakota, where 14-meter spodumene crystals and 7-meter amblygonite (likely montebrasite) occur (Rickwood [1]). [Extracted from the article]

This paper analyzes and identifies the binders used in the jewel settings of the Baodian and Diexie belts excavated from the tomb of Murongzhi in Wuwei, Gansu, China. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) indicated the presence of protein in the binder samples. The result of gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC‐MS) shows that samples from both contained hydroxyproline, a characteristic amino acid for animal glue. Principal component analysis was performed on one of the samples, and it was concluded that the binder was a mixture of hide glue and egg glue. Further analysis using scanning electron microscopy with energy‐dispersive X‐ray (SEM‐EDX) and laser Raman spectroscopy (Raman) found that a red particulate matter visually identified in the binder was cinnabar, which was apparently added to binder in order to modify the color of the jewels. This study provides a basis for the conservation and restoration of future finds of elite jewelry. It also shows how imperial jewelry was made during the Tang Dynasty. Finally, the analysis of these heraldic belts provides a key insight the life and role of an exiled prince in the Tang court. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transition between the Final Bronze and Early Iron Age remains one of the least understood periods in the archaeology of southern Central Asia. In this paper, we introduce the newly discovered site of Kimirek-kum-1 (floruit ca. 1250–1050 cal b.c.) in the old delta of the Zerafshan River in present-day Uzbekistan. Combined pedestrian survey, geomagnetic prospection, hand augering, and stratigraphic excavation, conducted between 2021 and 2023, demonstrate the site's unique potential to improve our understanding of the Final Bronze/Early Iron Age transition and the interface between the Central Eurasian steppes to the north and the Indo-Iranian world to the south. Notably, our investigations yielded nearly 400 objects in copper alloys, lead, gold, and semi-precious stone. These findings strongly suggest that Kimirek-kum-1 represents a substantial new Final Bronze/Early Iron Age center with extensive external links. It raises critical questions about the continuity of long-distance exchanges and elite networks after the end of the Oxus civilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides a detailed technological characterization of the Roman opus sectile glasses (second century AD) coming from the renowned Gorga collection. Nine glass samples corresponding to imitations of the porfido verde antico, cipollino rosso, rosso antico, giallo antico, diaspro nero e giallo, semesanto and agate/alabaster stones were studied. The aim of this study was twofold: (i) archaeometric, i.e., to provide valuable data on the production, raw materials and techniques of these refined Roman glasses that mimic precious stones and (ii) methodological, i.e., to highlight the good performance of combining polished thin sections and local probe measurements for the study of glassy microstructures. Based on the nature of the flux used, the glasses from the samples were classified as either natron-type or mixed-type (natron/plant ash). The latter stem from remelted glasses and contain relict grains of wollastonite that were not found in the pure natron samples. Relict wollastonite crystals appear to be a proficient petrographic marker to spot recycled glasses along with the commonly used chemical fingerprints. Different production and colouring techniques were identified, even for a given type of imitated stone. Metallic Cu, Ca antimonates and Pb-Fe antimonates were the three opacifiers used for the opaque glasses. Based on the crystal morphologies, metallic Cu and Ca antimoniates were possibly synthesized in situ simultaneously with the glass, whilst the Pb-Fe antimonates were prepared ex situ. The working temperatures for these glasses were estimated within the 900–1100 °C range based on the presence and known thermal stability of some identified crystal phases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article describes hieratic ostraca from Gurna, which are kept in the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Cairo. These ostraca probably date back to the 18th Dynasty and the Ramesside period and deal with various administrative topics. The article also provides information about the temple of Thutmose IV in Gurna and the archaeological mission of Edda Bresciani. Various titles and terms related to gemstone manufacturers and chariot builders are discussed. Additionally, ostraca are described that contain lists of goods and employee markings. The list also includes a variety of sources and publications on various aspects of ancient Egypt. [Extracted from the article]

The suggestion in this paper tackles the uncertainty of choosing the best analysis and selection of high-quality gemstones based on multiple specific criteria of quantitative and qualitative nature. In this paper, we use the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (F-AHP) in order to make the right decision to know the quality of the gemstone. This method is based on an effective algorithm through comparisons between the characteristics of the stones and their weight. F-AHP applies in this work to select one criterion from five criteria (specific gravity, color, clarity, cleavage, and Hardness). From the outcome, we note the hat standard of gem size is not always the best standard as seen by some researchers, and we found that small-sizzled stones are sometimes better effective and more flexible than others. Through this study, we note that the method helps reduce bias in decision-making, and method the comparisons are converted into numerical values that are processed and compared within with hierarchy that is related to the fuzzy logic with the property of uncertainty. All computations are applied by MATLAB language. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Miracle tales are didactic stories related to Buddhist figures, objects, and places that describe supernormal occurrences brought about by acts of great piety and fervent devotion. They present the audience with concrete examples of the workings of karma, while simultaneously setting verifiable historical precedents in a bid to prove the religious efficacy of Buddhism in China. These were also historiographical works, providing a wealth of detail regarding not only religious life and belief in China, but also local lore, politics, architectural trends, and much more. This paper will focus on a text called the Ji shenzhou sanbao gantong lu 集神州三寶感通錄 (T2106), a collection of miracle tales compiled by the seventh-century scholar-monk, Daoxuan 道宣 (596–667 CE). This text is a collection of narratives drawn from literary and epigraphy sources, as well as orally transmitted stories. As a Buddhist figurehead and as the author of many seminal historiographical works, Daoxuan played a central role in the overall localization of this tradition in China. Bearing this in mind, this paper seeks to interpret the "collective images" presented in Daoxuan's collection of miracle tales, those representations of the miraculous and the supernormal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are significant ruby formations across the world that have been commercialized. In Türkiye there are many mineralogical formation regions with gemological features of high quality. However, there is not enough information in the literature about the formation of ruby in Türkiye, and its usability as a precious stone. In contrast to previous studies, this paper was conducted to reveal the gemological properties of Doğanşehir (Malatya province) rubies and to investigate the usability of polished and cut ruby samples as gemstones. Ruby corundum formations of gemstone quality have recently been discovered in Göksun ophiolites in the Doğanşehir district of Türkiye. These ruby formations take place in greenish and grayish amphibolites in the Göksun ophiolites. The ruby crystals are observed in colors ranging from pink to red and sizes ranging between 2 × 10 mm and 30 × 50 mm. The tectonic position, geological environment, petrographic, mineralogical, geochemical, and gemological characteristics of Doğanşehir crystals indicate that they can be classified as rubies and can be likened to those gems formed in amphibolites in Tanzania. This indicates that Doğanşehir rubies have gemological and mineralogical parameters that are competitive with rubies existing in other places across the world after polishing and cutting. Examples of Doğanşehir rubies prepared by polishing and cutting show that these rubies may feature in the global market in the coming years. Doğanşehir rubies are suitable for COBACORE (community based comprehensive recovery) cutting mostly in large sizes and amounts. Thus, it is a potential gemstone source. Samples prepared by polishing and cutting indicate their suitability as gemstones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, characterization and discrimination of some silicate gems (gemstones and low-gem quality varieties) from ancient Egyptian mines have been performed for the first time adopting molecular and elemental spectroscopic techniques. The selected gem groups are peridot, beryl/emerald, amazonite, and amethyst. In this sense, characterization of the genuine Egyptian gems and the importance of mineralogical and chemical signatures in a historical context as well as the scope of geoheritage can be achieved for the first time. Laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) analysis has been found to be an effective method for the discrimination among different gems groups where a characterizing element for each group in a specific spectral window has been found. Raman and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy spectra have proven to be fingerprints with the ability to distinguish future alteration of the gemstone depending on the molecular vibrational spectroscopy. FTIR provides the functional group that can absorb the infrared radiation and be responsible for the coloring of the gemstones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This note focuses on recent discussions on gemstone amulets from Late Antiquity through insights offered in two contributions to the volume Textual Amulets from Antiquity to Early Modern Times: The Shape of Words (Theis and Vitellozzi 2022). After a general presentation of the volume, I turn to the first two chapters, penned each by one of the volume's editors. Paolo Vitellozzi's paper examines the evolution of the textuality of magical gems in light of speech act theories and taxonomies elaborated in earlier secondary literature. Vitellozzi also analyses the complex interaction of medium (the gemstone), text and image in the course of this evolutionary process, showing how writing progressively assumed magical efficacy. In the following paper, Christoffer Theis analyses a specific category of magical gems, namely those which represent divinities with multiple heads. Theis' observations implicitly complement Vitellozzi's conclusions on the textuality of gemstone amulets. In the final paragraphs of this note, I briefly comment on Christian amulets and isopsephisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The crystals are beautiful and useful, and the structure is harmonious and orderly. Photoelectric functional crystal can realize the interconversion of optical and electric energy, and occupy an important position in the high-tech fields of microelectronics, optoelectronics, communications, aerospace and modern military technology. People' s understanding of crystals is derived from natural minerals. From the discovery of mineral crystals to the artificial growth and application of photoelectric functional crystals, great progress has been made in crystal types, crystal quality, growth theory, growth technology and application. The development process from mineral gem to crystallography is briefly described, the development process of several kinds of photoelectric functional crystals such as piezoelectric crystal, electro-optic crystal, laser crystal, nonlinear optical crystal and scintillation crystal is introduced, and research progress on crystal growth is summarized in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Owing to the high market values of natural sunstones in Oregon, a kind of artificially diffused red feldspar exhibited at the Tucson Exhibition at the beginning of this century, whose color origin is the same as that of natural sunstone (copper nanoparticles). However, the details of the artificial diffusion process are less disclosed, there is no systematic method to obtain such gemstones. In this paper, we developed the high-temperature copper diffusion process for the surface recoloring of faceted labradorites, which are partly buried in the diffusant. By optimizing the experimental parameters of high-temperature copper diffusion, we successfully recolored the faceted labradorites to red and light red. The gemological and spectroscopic characteristics of the recolored faceted labradorite were further characterized. The red and light-red faceted labradorites exhibited the unique surface plasmon resonance absorption peaks of copper nanoparticles near 580 nm, which is the origin of red color. The typical inclusions formed in the faceted labradorite is in the shape of "fire cloud". The interface of red and light-red faceted labradorite that is in contact with the diffusant is less contaminated, we believe that the contamination could be further reduced or eliminated by optimizing the high-temperature copper diffusion process. The way that the sample is in contact with the diffusant partly is versatile and promising in the surface treatment of materials that have already been processed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Minerals and metals are crucial raw materials for industries and a major source of development for the country. In India there has been a pronounced growth in the exploration for minerals both in terms of quantity and value. To further enhance the growth rate and remove any bottleneck, the government has taken several legislative reforms through more transparency and non-discretion by way of first-come, first-served basis in the allocation of mineral concessions, through Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) (MMDR) Amendment Act, 2015. Recently, MMDR Act, 1957 has been amended through the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2021 vide notification dated 28.03.2021 for improving ease of doing mineral production and business in the country and help increase Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Exploration of energy-critical minerals, fertilizer minerals, precious metals and stones, strategic minerals and deep-seated minerals which are otherwise difficult to access and for which the country is mainly dependent on imports, needs to be prioritized. Enhanced exploration and mining can significantly reduce India's import dependence on mineral and metals and help economic growth. For comparison, only 10% of obvious geological potential (OGP) area of India has been explored while Australia has explored more than 90% of its area. In this paper, some of these legislative reforms and challenges to provide an impetus to mineral exploration are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The material characterization of nineteenth-century artifacts is of great interest, due both to the breakthrough technological advances and to the unprecedented spread of forgeries of antiquities which took place in that period. However, this type of artifacts has been largely overlooked in the past. In this paper we present the compositional analysis of gold jewels by the Castellani, one of the most important families of goldsmiths in nineteenth-century Europe. The use of a portable micro-XRF spectrometer, specifically developed for jewellery analysis at the Centro Nacional de Aceleradores (Seville), allowed us to analyse, in a completely non-invasive way, the alloys, joining techniques and surface treatments of the jewels of the Castellani collection at the National Etruscan Museum of Villa Giulia in Rome. The addition to the spectrometer of a second X-rays detector with a zinc filter allowed us to check the possible presence of low amounts of cadmium, a metal added to gold soldering only from the nineteenth century and often used in authenticity studies. Moreover, the relative intensities of the Au X-ray lines were studied in order to check non-invasively the presence of surface enrichments in gold. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This paper aims to examine customized NiTi jewels with functional properties fabricated through four-dimensional (4D)-printing. Design/methodology/approach: Two opened rings are fabricated through selective laser melting starting from 55.2Ni-Ti (wt.%) micrometric powder. After the additive process the two rings present the one-way shape memory effect (OWSME). A specific training is accomplished on one of the two printed rings to promote the two-way shape memory effect (TWSME). Both the samples, namely, the rings, respectively, presenting the OWSME and TWSME property, follow a series of post-processing routes to improve the surface finish. Furthermore, a thermal treatment at high temperature is used to create a thin colored oxide layer on the sample surface. Findings: Results show that the change of shape owing to the OWSME and TWSME properties allows the customized 4D-printed rings to be adaptable to environmental changes such as load and temperature variations. This adaptability improves comfort and fit of the jewels. Originality/value: To the best of the authors' knowledge, in this work, first cases of additively manufactured NiTi jewels are reported to propose innovative solutions in the design and processing industry of jewels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

India has its unique and rich cultural heritage. One such uniqueness in India is ancient paintings. Especially in South India, Tanjore paintings are very popular. These paintings are made during 1010 AD with vibrant colours, gold, silver and precious stones. These paintings are the memorabilia of the great Chola kingdom. These paintings can be seen in great Brahadeeshwara Temple walls till now. Damages to these paintings happen due to varying environmental conditions and rituals followed throughout the year. Hence, preserving these heritages could be an additional source in National Cultural Museum and cultural libraries. This paper focuses towards the restoration of such ancient painting images that can be digitized and archived for the future use of aesthete. The painting images are preprocessed using Weiner filter for removing the background noises since its PSNR value is higher than Gaussian and Median filters. The preprocessed image is then applied to restoration algorithm. Two types of restoration algorithm is attempted, image segmentation and in-painting algorithm. The degraded image was restored efficiently with in-painting algorithm than segmentation algorithm. Further research can be focused towards automatic adaptive selection of patch based on the nature of images. From the results it is observed that with in-painting algorithm the image restoration is better than the segmentation algorithm for degraded painting images. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper focuses on one very unusual magical object originating from the territory of the Bosporan kingdom: an agate stone amulet with a rather extensive inscription found in the vicinity of ancient Gorgippia. The author summarizes the history of scholarly discussion on the subject and analyses Chr. Faraone's "magical handbook" hypothesis putting forward some arguments against it. The paper not only revisits the reading of the text, but treats the artefact as a unity of the material object and the inscription there upon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Ruby is a mineral in the corundum (Al 2 O 3) family and it is remarkably valuable as a gemstone. From the physics point of view, the ruby coloration depends on the balance of trace or chromophore impurities and defect complexes in the Al 2 O 3 lattice. Shifting this balance into right direction is of paramount importance for the ruby value as the gemstone and ion implantation can be applied for this purpose. Thus, in the present study, we explored the influence of high dose oxygen ion implants on the natural ruby coloration. By performing quantitative colorimetry analysis, we detected prominent coloration changes unambiguously attributed to the effect of the implants, even though the implanted oxygen profile was located at the near surface region of the sample. Moreover, applying near surface sensitive cathodoluminescence measurements we observed spectacular changes in the spectra correlated with the implants. Importantly, the trends observed in the colorimetry and cathodoluminescence as a function of the implantation parameters were consistent. As such, the present paper provides both the scientific perspective and quantitative interpretations potentially paving the way for the ion beams applications in the gemstone industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sodalite‐group minerals are silicates belonging to the zeolite group hosting in their cages a variety of cations and anions. Four mineral species of the sodalite‐group are known in nature, the main difference being connected to the identity of the chemical species in the cages, particularly the sulfur molecular arrangements. Notably, the sodalite‐group minerals show different colours; lazurite, in particular, is the main constituent of the well‐known lapis lazuli, a material used throughout the human history as a precious stone or as a blue pigment for artworks. In this paper, we exploit Raman and Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to highlight an existing connection between the chalcogen species entrapped within the samples originated from the volcanic region of Latium (Italy) and their final colour. We show that Raman spectroscopy is a very valuable tool in characterizing the extraframework content in these minerals. Further, our analysis demonstrates how the blue hue of the sodalite species is related to the S3−/SO42− relative content. We finally show how most specimen are also rich in CO2, a feature addressed by combination with FTIR spectroscopy. These findings have a particular interest not only in geology, but also in Cultural Heritage studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A B FLUORITE FOCUS: b It was a pleasure to plan and put together this issue with its several articles featuring I fluorite, i Denver's show theme (Denver dates are 18-20 September). PHOTO (COLOR) PHOTO (COLOR): Two watercolor paintings on hot press paper of fluorite specimens from the United Kingdom, by Ksenia Levterova. See the In Memoriam column in the May/June 2019 issue for a tribute to Via, and the Museum Notes column in this issue for further details on the museum. [Extracted from the article]

The Peleș National Museum in Sinaia, Romania, includes within its collection of musical instruments a unique harpsichord of the Taskin workshop. The instrument is representative of the eighteenth century French harpsichords, finished in 1772 by Taskin Pascal, a master instrument-maker of his time. This paper presents the results of a comprehensive diagnostic investigation carried out on the exterior decoration of the harpsichord, by means of multiple non-invasive and micro-invasive analytical techniques: multispectral imaging, X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectroscopy, laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and optical microscopy (OM). Imaging investigation highlighted various past interventions and restorations—fillings, consolidation and chromatic reintegration of the paint layer, as well as some interesting details related to the preparatory layer and on the painting technique. Results of the elemental analysis indicated that a rich color palette was used for the luxurious decorations: vermilion for most of the red areas, lead white, a copper-based pigment for the blue and violet hues, along with Prussian blue, chromium oxides for the green tones and possibly emerald green, and iron oxides for the red, yellow and ochre tones. FTIR analysis highlighted the existence of two-layers ground based on the first layer of chalk and animal glue, covered by a second oil-bound layer of lead white. Metal soaps, gypsum, barium sulfate as well as an intermediate sizing layer based on shellac were also identified. Examination of samples' cross-sections revealed a rich stratigraphy, up to ten layers being highlighted for samples taken from the case sides' painting. The presence of two gold foils on the gilded areas, one at the top and the other within the intermediate layers, provides clear evidence of later interventions. The corroborated results offer valuable physico-chemical insights on the complex history of this prestigious harpsichord with remarkable aesthetic and historical value, as well as key information for its most suitable restoration approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

B GOING GREEN: b I Rocks & Minerals i has inadvertently jumped on the "green" bandwagon with this issue. During his nearly fifty years of collecting and studying minerals, Dunning has written or coauthored fifty papers pertaining to mineralogical subjects, eight of which involved descriptions of new minerals. PHOTO (COLOR): Gail E. Dunning, recipient of the 2019 Pinch Medal, shown with photos of his namesake mineral, gaildunningite. [Extracted from the article]

The paper analyses the role of jewels, pearls and luxury fashion in Terenci Moix’s esperpento trilogy (Garras de astracán, Mujercísimas, Chulas y famosas). Following the observation that Moix’s heroes can be read in terms of drag, the social reality depicted by Terenci Moix is compared with the New York’s ball culture, as shown in the documentary film Paris Is Burning (Jennie Livingston, 1990). It is argued that both male and female characters make use of all kinds of accessories and pieces of clothing in order to embody different phantasmatic identities. The Catalan writer uses this means to criticise the post-Transition Spanish society in the context of the modern culture, trivialised by the neoliberal capitalism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scholars of late antique art commonly and uncritically accept that the Revelation provided the source for late antique church decoration. They rarely discuss the extent to which this text served as a basis for the vivid iconographies typical of late antique ecclesiastical décor. This paper explores how the imagery of Revelation impacted on late antique mosaic programs, considering as a crucial case study the triumphal arch of the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore at Rome and, particularly, the motif of precious stones and jewels so frequent on several elements of the decoration. The latter also appears on a cornice, a jeweled band which later spread in the art of the whole empire, both in church and -- what is less known -- secular contexts. This motif will be explored first in a visual perspective and then defining its value in the culture of Late Antiquity and the early Middle Ages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper covers the controversy raised in 1990 in the British Museum about the authenticity of the three enamelled gold dog pendants, garnished with precious stones, from the Treasury of the Pillar in Saragossa that were publicly auctioned in 1870 and still remain spread. These pendants, were considered fakes manufactured c. 1860 by the historiography. Nevertheless, I can prove that the documentation of the Pillar shows that at least two of them were authentic Renaissance works (c. 1580-1600). At the very least, two European counterfeiters copied genuine works, which raises the revision of the history of goldsmithing from works that are clearly genuine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The English-language nomenclature that is used to designate belly dance movement is a vital site for the expression of ideas, fantasies, and fears about the Middle East and North Africa, the homelands of this dance genre. Belly dance has no classical tradition or named set of standardised movements in its cultures of origin, so, as the dance form has become globalised, English speakers have invented their own movement names to conform to a Western dance pedagogical tradition that relies on nomenclature. Based on a survey of 154 Canadian dancers, this paper analyses the forms these coinages have taken and assesses how movement terminology has changed since the rise of studio belly dance instruction in North America in the 1970s. The 'camels', 'temples', and 'jewels' of early nomenclature are giving way to terminology that instead incorporates personal names, particularly the names of Middle Eastern and North African dancers, and auditory imagery. These terminological shifts challenge dominant Orientalist discourses that portray Middle Eastern and North African cultures as static, monolithic, and fantastical. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper the authors investigate the effect of implantation temperature on the structural properties of diamond implanted with high fluences of Si between 5.3×1017 Si cm-2 and 1×1018 Si cm-2. In order to reduce radiation-induced damage and to enhance SiC formation the implantations were performed at elevated temperatures in the range from 900 to 1200 °C. Subsequently, all samples were annealed for 10 min at 1500 °C in a rf-heated furnace. X-ray diffraction revealed the formation of cubic SiC nanocrystallites in a buried layer inside the implanted diamond. The implantation-induced damage was assessed by analyzing graphitization of the surface-near layer using Raman spectroscopy. With increasing Si fluence the implantation-induced damage rises and the nearly perfect alignment of the formed SiC crystallites within the host diamond lattice deteriorates. However, raising the implantation temperature from 900 to 1000 °C reduces the damage in the diamond and increases the amount, size, and epitaxial alignment of the crystalline SiC precipitates. Further increase of the implantation temperature gives no improvement in the quality of the SiC-rich layer. Instead, the damaged diamond converts into graphite and the formation of SiC crystallites is obstructed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Mycenaean adjective wo-ra-we-sa refers to a chariot, but its meaning is not readily inferable form the context and its etymology is still disputed. The present paper examines the different hypotheses brought forward to explain wo-ra, of which wo-ra-we-sa is a derivative in *-u̯ent-, and it offers a new solution for its etymology. It argues that wo-ra is a feminine ā -stem action noun meaning “the twisted, braided, or plaited thing” which goes back either to *u̯ol(h1)-eh2- or to *u̯ṓ l(h1)-eh2-, from the root *u̯el(h1)- ‘to turn, wallow, roll’. Formally and semantically wo-ra may be shown to share the same root as alphabetic Greek εὐλή ‘maggot, caterpillar’ and Homeric εὔληρα ‘reins’ (Il. 23.481), being either a feminine action noun in the o-grade (/wolā /) built directly to the verbal root *u̯el(h1)- or a lengthened ō -grade (/wō lā /). Crucially, the ideogram *253 which follows [wo-]ra and wo-ra-e looks like a bosal, a type of noseband which is part of a bridle without bit. That being so, wo-ra-we-sa /wō̆lā wessa/ would mean ‘provided or fitted with a (braided or laced) bridle’. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Gravity separation methods were applied to recover metals from jewellery waste. • Precious metals were further recovered from shaking table's tailings by flotation. • A concentrate with 571 g/t Au and 5707 g/t Ag was obtained. • High metal recoveries for precious metals were found as 92%. • A feasible and simple concentration method was proposed. The recovery of precious metals can be successfully managed from waste which is considered to be secondary sources of raw material. Waste derived from jewelry activity falls in this category, and represents an essential component of precious metals. The most important metals in the jewelry sector are gold (Au) and silver (Ag). As a result of workmanship, the thin metals, jewel parts and metallic powders are generated and the dust produced from jewelry workshops is of great importance. This paper describes the concentration and recovery of Au and Ag from floor sweeping waste at jewelry workshops by physical (shaking table, multi gravity separator (MGS), Knelson and Falcon concentrators) and physicochemical methods (froth flotation). Experimental results demonstrated that the gravity beneficiation methods were effective for eliminating much of the waste matrix. A heavy fraction with 701 g/t Au and 6017 g/t Ag content was obtained from a feed assaying 183 g/t Au and 1835 g/t Ag by shaking table separator. For enhanced beneficiation, the middling's from tabling were subjected to centrifugal separator and Ag grade increased from 848 g/t to 7812 g/t. Au and Ag fractions discharged in tailings from gravity and centrifugal separations were successfully concentrated using froth flotation and led to a total recovery around 92% both for Au and Ag. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Economic historians have shown that the regulations of craft guilds were a source of innovation rather than inertia in the economy of early modern Europe. Historians of science have shown that craftsmen contributed to the scientific revolution in the same time and place. But very little is known about the role of guild regulation in intellectual (as opposed to social, political and economic) change. This paper shows that regulation went hand-in-hand with intellectual change at the Paris guild of goldsmiths in the decades around 1700. In this period the wardens of the guild developed sophisticated techniques for organizing and disseminating their large archive of legal documents. They also published two books on the natural history of precious stones that broke with the learned tradition of writing on this topic. The reform of the archive and the reform of natural history were undertaken by the same goldsmiths, for similar reasons, using analogous literary techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes the effect of tetramethylsilane (TMS) on diamond nucleation on Si substrate under an applied bias voltage of 120 V, performed in a modified microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition (MPCVD) reactor. The introduction of TMS in the CH 4 /H 2 plasma leads to a significant enhancement of nucleation density of diamond nuclei, namely from (3.7 ± 0.2) × 10 7 /cm 2 without the introduction of TMS to (4.7 ± 0.5) × 10 10 /cm 2 at the TMS flow rate of 4 sccm. On the contrary, further increasing in the TMS flow rate to 8 sccm slightly reduces the nucleation density of diamond nuclei to (2.1 ± 0.3) × 10 10 /cm 2 , along with the increase in average size of diamond nuclei. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) allow us to study the microstructural and chemical composition evolution of Si/diamond interface. The obtained results suggest that bias-enhanced nucleation of diamond on Si substrate exhibits a direct relationship with the TMS flow rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yogo Gulch in central Montana is one of the most important gem deposits in the United States. Although very little material has been recovered there in recent years, it has produced several million carats of rough sapphire over the course of its history (Voynick, 2001). These stones, known for their vibrant untreated blue color and high clarity, have always commanded a price premium, especially in sizes larger than 0.75 ct. This paper offers a thorough gemological characterization of Yogo sapphire, which may be unfamiliar to many gemologists. Fortunately, Yogo sapphires are unique and experienced gemologists can easily separate them from gem corundum of different geographic origins throughout the world, making it possible to determine the provenance of important stones from this deposit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, Nanoparticle-Enhanced Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy is applied to transparent samples and gemstones with the aim to overcome the laser induced damage on the sample. We propose to deposit a layer of AuNPs on the sample surface by drying a colloidal solution before ablating the sample with a 532 nm pulsed laser beam. This procedure ensures that the most significant fraction of the beam, being in resonance with the AuNP surface plasmon, is mainly absorbed by the NP layer, which in turn results the breakdown to be induced on NPs rather than on the sample itself. The fast explosion of the NPs and the plasma induction allow the ablation and the transfer in the plasma phase of the portion of sample surface where the NPs were placed. The employed AuNPs are prepared in milliQ water without the use of any chemical stabilizers by Pulsed Laser Ablation in Liquids (PLAL), in order to obtain a strict control of composition and impurities, and to limit possible spectral interferences (except from Au emission lines). Therefore with this technique it is possible to obtain, together with the emission signal of Au (coming from atomized NPs), the emission spectrum of the sample, by limiting or avoiding the direct interaction of the laser pulse with the sample itself. This approach is extremely useful for the elemental analysis by laser ablation of high refractive index samples, where the laser pulse on an untreated surface can otherwise penetrate inside the sample, generate breakdown events below the superficial layer, and consequently cause cracks and other damage. The results obtained with NELIBS on high refractive index samples like glasses, tourmaline, aquamarine and ruby are very promising, and demonstrate the potentiality of this approach for precious gemstones analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper aims at presenting the results of pull-off strength tests of fiber-reinforced polymer composite coatings laminated on steel substrates. It contains the measured data on the thickness of manufactured coatings and the substrate surface’s roughness, according to the various methods of surface’s preparation with the means of abrasive blasting. The microstructure analysis of material’s cross-sections and damage analysis of samples after failure were also performed. The highest pull-off strength’s values for composite coatings were obtained for joints with the substrate modified by abrasive blasting with corundum F60 or simply degreased. To establish the compatibility of substrates with coatings the wettability of the chosen materials was tested and work of adhesion was calculated on its base. Concerning the wettability, it was found that the most preferable joints were characterized by the similar thermodynamic work of adhesion and consisted of the coating’s matrix (SBS) and the steel substrate degreased with acetone or modified with corrundum abrasive blasting and then degreased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: French Polynesia is renowned for the production of Tahitian black pearl. These gems are obtained by grafting a nucleus into the gonad of a receiving oyster together with a graft, i.e. a small section of mantle tissue of a donor oyster. This procedure initiates the formation of a pearl sack around the nucleus, and subsequently, the deposition of concentric layers of nacre. The nucleus plays a key‐role in pearl formation and its characteristics influence markedly the quality of the final product. As it is manufactured from mollusc shells, it contains a small percentage of organics. In the present paper, we used a set of biochemical techniques to characterize and compare the organic matrices from two types of nuclei that are currently used in French Polynesia: that from the freshwater mussel Amblema sp., and that from the pearl oyster Pinctada sp. To this end, we extracted the matrices from nuclei and performed FT‐IR, monodimensional electrophoresis, and enzyme‐linked immuno‐sorbent assay (ELISA). Our data show that the matrix associated with Amblema nuclei has a very different biochemical signature from that of Pinctada nuclei, a fact that may explain the improved tolerance of grafted oysters to nuclei of Pinctada origin. In the absence of complex physical methods of investigation, simple immunological techniques and FT‐IR performed on the extracted organic matrix are extremely reliable and effective for discriminating nuclei from these two sources. We assert that such techniques can be used as a diagnostic test to track unambiguously the biological origin of nuclei to avoid fraud. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a detailed history and exegesis of the 1798 paper of Charles Greville and Jacques-Louis Count de Bournon, “On the Corundum Stone from Asia.” This was the first published argument to establish that the mineral corundum was related to, or identical with, the ruby and the sapphire. It was also the first time that the science of crystallography, recently developed in France, was publically introduced to a British scientific audience. René Just Haüy’s theory of the three-dimensional structure of minerals proposed a new kind of extension of chemistry into the solid state. The story of corundum illustrates the new and sophisticated mineralogy that had emerged in the late eighteenth century and how an increasingly global natural history relied upon extended networks of trade and empire. It shows also how mineralogical debates had begun to move beyond the private and restricted milieux of mining schools and wealthy collectors and into more public scientific fora. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]