A Mineralogical Study on Lueyang Jade

Lueyang Jade, alternating with the colors of emerald green and white, has the characteristics of dense structure, translucency, greasy luster and high degree of hardness, is firstly found in Mianlue suture zone.By the means of hand specimen, thin section observation, XRD, infrared spectrum and Raman spectrum analysis, the macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of the Lueyang Jade are multidisciplinary analyzed.The study results show that the Lueyang Jade is mainly made of quartz and magnesite, and the jade is magnesia quartz rock.The minerals, with poor degree of crystallization, have the even distribution and fine grains in Lueyang Jade, forming the micro-structure.The analysis of main elements shows that the amount of SiO₂ in the samples is 30.72%-44.53%, while atomic ratio of Mg and Fe is 9.206-14.297. And the presentation of the Lueyang Jade is emerald green, which is resulted from the elements Cr and Ni. In addition, and the abundance rare earth is fairly low.The multidisciplinary analysis of the main elements and rare earth indicates that the Lueyang Jade is altered from ultramafic rock because of the alteration of carbonate and siliceous solution.The research illustrates that the structure of the Lueyang Jade is dense and the degree of crystallization is not good, which meet the condition of forming jade.