Closer look at the Database To use the vibrational spectrum as an identification tool, one must reference against a previously established database. The RRUFF™ Project is developing such a database,

Anyone with as much as incidental experience in the field of gems and minerals has probably encountered a sample that was mislabeled. The cause of this misidentification may be accidental or unscrupulous, but regardless, mineral misidentification is a common occurrence. To ensure accurate identification of the many mineral samples used in the database, the RRUFF™ research group determines the identity of minerals using X-ray diffraction and Electron Microprobe analysis. In addition to spectra recorded from each unoriented sample, in many cases Raman spectra are recorded from polished, oriented samples.

Sample Detail The largest database of its kind, RRUFF™ contains thousands of mineral spectra. The project welcomes new samples including minerals not present in the database as well as additional samples from different localities.

Highlights

Advantages to the database design include:

  Easy retrieval of multiple data sets for a given sample

  Expansibility to include data from alternative analysis

  Alternative characterization

  High-resolution mineral photos

  Linked documentation and references

Page includes photos of the sample, collected Raman spectra, infrared spectrum, powder diffraction patterns, and measured chemistry in addition to information on the sample's origin and reference material on the mineral.