Application of LA-ICP-AES to Distinguish the Different Turquoise Mines

Currently, the technological development of non-destructive analysis and micro-damage analysis of turquoise is fast. LA-ICP-AES, an almost non-destructive analysis, has multiple advantages. This paper attempts to use this analysis method to examine sample turquoise from five places of origin on Mount East Qinling, including ancient turquoise ore in Laziya, in order to attain its major element and microelement data. Then the paper uses PCA to analyze and study its chemical elements in a comparative way. Three main elements are gained through analysis, and their cumulative variance contribution rate has reached 84.96%. The former two main elements’ variance contribution rate is 72.289%. Therefore, the corresponding elements, including V2O5, NiO, B2O3, SrO, BaO, CaO, ZrO, MnO2, are the featured chemical elements of turquoise from different places of origin. Through comparative analysis and research on corresponding chemical elements, turquoise samples produced by different ores vary in terms of the content of some chemical element and chemical components. Two analysis methods combined together will basically realize the appreciation of turquoise in various places of origin. In addition, the research indicates that some chemical contents have positive or negative correlations. Such correlations can be regarded as features of producing area, and can also provide clues as to the cause of formation of turquoise ore. This study preliminarily indicates that LA-ICP-AES combined with PCA and comparative analysis of chemical composition and content has the function of distinguishing turquoise produced in different places of origin to a certain extent.