Traceability of Brazilian and Colombian emeralds by multi-element chemical signature: a forensic approach

• Grant number: 23/05588-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2023
• End date: September 30, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Geosciences - Geology
• Principal Investigator: Fabio Ramos Dias de Andrade
• Grantee: Giovanna dos Santos Ramos
• Host Institution: Instituto de Geociências (IGC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 23/13966-2 - TRACEABILITY OF BRAZILIAN AND COLOMBIAN EMERALDS, A FORENSIC APPROACH, BE.EP.IC

Abstract

In the present work, samples of emeralds from Brazilian and Colombian deposits will be analyzed through multi-element chemical analysis by ICPMS laser ablation and complementary analyzes, such as Raman spectrometry and visible light spectrophotometry, in order to determine the chemical signature of the deposits of emeralds and identification of materials of unknown origin. Chemical data will undergo multivariate statistical analysis in order to revral the main chemical differences between emeralds from different localities. A chemical diversity of emerald deposits allows the determination of the origin, which can be used to identify gems from smuggling, mining illegal activities, environmental crimes, crimes against human rights and tax evasion, in addition to its valuation associated with its origin.