The infrared bands of amethyst and prasiolite samples from different origins were correlated to the trace elements contents. Amethysts have an iron content greater than 20 ppm and a low content of sodium and potassium. Prasiolites have an aluminum content greater than 120 ppm and a higher overall trace elements content, which accounts for a strong absorption between 3200 and 3600 cm-1. Colorless samples of quartz that become amethysts and prasiolites after irradiation have infrared spectra at room temperature with a broad band at 3441 cm-1 and a sharp band at 3595 cm-1. The broad band splits in several bands at low temperatures that are related to AlSi and FeSi. The color of amethysts and prasiolites are assigned to [AlSiO4/h+]º and [FeSiO4/h+]º centers formed by the exposure to ionizing irradiation and to the influence of lattice distortions due to the content of iron as a substitute for silicon and a high content of trace elements of large ionic radius like potassium.

The technique of the rotating disk was used to measure the zeta potential of planar surface of different materials, like minerals, polymeric materials, and films of paints and particles. This technique is simple and reliable from the experimental point of view. The results are discussed concerning the principles of the technique, the rheological characteristics and the applications of these materials.

Quartzos incolores são irradiados e aquecidos para adquirirem cores esverdeadas, amareladas e amarronzadas para confecção de jóias. Somente uma pequena fração dos quartzos naturais incolores pode desenvolver cores por esse processo. A sua identificação é feita através de testes de irradiação e aquecimento em amostras representativas, que são enviadas para irradiadores para depois serem aquecidas. Trata-se de um procedimento demorado, que não atende a necessidade do mercado de pedras semipreciosas. Um novo teste é apresentado, que dispensa irradiação e aquecimento, para identificação de amostras com potencial para desenvolver cores, cujos resultados podem ser obtidos em apenas alguns minutos. Ele pode ser realizado no campo com um espectrofotômetro infravermelho portátil.

Colorless quartz are irradiated and heat-treated to become greenish, yellowish, and brownish for the jewelry industry. Only a small fraction of natural, colorless quartz can develop colors through this process. The identification of this quartz is made through irradiation and heat-treatment tests on representative samples. The samples are sent to irradiators and then heat-treated. These tests are not fast enough for the needs of the semiprecious dealers. A new test is presented, that avoids irradiation and heat-treatment. It can identify samples with potential to develop colors in a few minutes. If a portable infrared spectrophotometer is available, it can be performed in field.

Quartz with aluminum as impurity absorbs energy from ionizing radiation and modifies its color. Colorless quartz becomes smoky or dark smoky (morion quartz) when exposed to gamma rays. By heat-treatment, smoky quartz may become successively greenish, yellowish, or brownish as the irradiation dose increases. Natural, colorless quartz is routinely colored by irradiation with gamma rays and heat-treatment for jewelry production. The color formation in natural quartz through this procedure is explained based on EPR, UV-VIS, and IR studies of irradiated and irradiated and heat-treated samples. Smoky quartz shows absorption bands in the visible region and a strong EPR signal. After heat-treatment it shows absorption bands in the near UV region with extensions into the visible region and a weak EPR signal. The intensity of the absorption bands is proportional to the irradiation dose. These changes of color are explained by the model of Itoh, Stoneham, and Stoneham. [AlSi O4 /h+]0 centers are produced by irradiation, causing the EPR signal and the absorption bands in the visible region. [AlSi O4]- centers are created from [AlSi O4 /h+]0 centers by heat-treatment. They cannot cause an EPR signal and have absorption bands in the near UV region with extensions into the visible region. The highest concentration of [AlSi O4]- centers occurs when the charge compensators have medium mobility. Lithium should give the best condition for color formation. Sodium (low mobility) and hydrogen (high mobility) should make smoky quartz colorless after heat-treatment.

Um dos principais problemas dos pedristas que irradiam quartzos naturais é controlar a dose aplicada em suas amostras. Observamos que essa dose é linearmente dependente da temperatura na qual se percebe o início da termoluminescência a olho nu. Assim, o pedrista pode se valer dessa observação para controlar a dose aplicada com razoável confiabilidade.

A major problem of natural quartz dealers is to control the irradiation doses applyed to their samples. We observed that the dosis is linearly proportional to the temperature where the beginning of the thermoluminescente can be seen with naked eyes. A reliable and simple procedure is offered to the dealers to control the doses applied to natural quartz.