Heritage Science (Nov 2023)

A method to characterize turquoise deposits in china using sedimentary environment sensitive elements

  • Yiheng Xian,
  • Yun Liang,
  • Chun Yu,
  • Liping Yang,
  • Yanwang Wu

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s40494-023-01080-6
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 11, no. 1
pp. 1 – 9

Abstract

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Abstract ‘Fingerprint’ identification is the key to turquoise provenance studies, but previous studies have met with limited success in China. Turquoises in China mainly occur in altered sedimentary rocks and are formed by weathering, leaching and sedimentation. This paper evaluates the potential for sedimentary environment sensitive elements to be used to distinguish between turquoise deposits in China. In this paper, the ratios of V/Mo, Ce/Ce*, Ni/Co, Sr/Ba, Tl/Ga, Li/Ba and V/Cr were calculated for turquoise of different origins. Our results show that these parameters when used alongside Ga concentration permit effective discrimination between turquoise sources in China. This approach brings to light a new means of analyzing trace element databases and an untapped wealth of information that can be used for future turquoise provenance studies.

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