Triploidite from China.

The article discusses the gemological properties of some fragments of a triploidite from China that were donated to the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) for examination. The samples exhibited very weak pleochroism, a refractive index of 1.660-1.679 and a spot reading of 1.66, a birefringence of 0.019, a hydrostatic specific gravity of 3.83 and 3.80 and a fluorescence of inert to long- and short-wave ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Microscopic examination revealed numerous two-phase inclusions and fractures.