LA-ICP-MS Trace-Element Profiling
Definition
Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry applied directly to a polished gemstone surface. It measures dozens of trace elements simultaneously in a single analysis, building a chemical fingerprint that can be compared to reference datasets from known mining districts.
- Method
- Laser ablation ICP-MS
- Sample handling
- Applied directly to a polished surface
- Output
- Multi-element chemical fingerprint
- Application
- Gemstone provenance against reference databases
Common questions
How destructive is LA-ICP-MS to the gemstone being tested?+
The laser removes a microscopic amount of material, leaving a pit invisible to the naked eye in most cases, which makes it far less invasive than bulk chemical digestion methods while still altering the surface at a microscopic level.
Why is trace-element data alone sometimes not enough to prove provenance?+
Different mining districts can produce overlapping trace-element ranges, so results are usually combined with other evidence such as isotope ratios or inclusion features before a provenance conclusion is reported with confidence.
Related terms
- Conflict Mineral
- A mineral whose extraction or trade finances armed conflict. The OECD defines 3TG (tin, tantalum, tungsten, gold) from conflict-affected and high-risk areas...
- Epsilon-Nd (εNd)
- The 143Nd/144Nd ratio of a sample expressed as a deviation in parts per ten thousand from the chondritic uniform reservoir (CHUR). Positive...
- Inclusion Fingerprinting
- Identification of mineral inclusions trapped inside a gemstone during growth as indicators of the geological environment. Marble-hosted rubies typically contain calcite and...
- Kimberley Process (KPCS)
- An international certification scheme launched in 2003 that requires participant countries to certify that rough diamonds are conflict-free before export. Isotope and...
- REE Pattern (Rare Earth Element Pattern)
- A plot of rare earth element concentrations normalised to chondrite or primitive mantle, showing the relative enrichment or depletion of each REE...