Research article

Micro-Raman spectroscopy on two chalices from the Benedictine Abbey of Einsiedeln: Identification of gemstones†

  1. Stefanos Karampelas1,*,
  2. Marie Wörle2,
  3. Katja Hunger2,
  4. Hanspeter Lanz3

Article first published online: 11 AUG 2012

DOI: 10.1002/jrs.4069

Issue

Journal of Raman Spectroscopy

Journal of Raman Spectroscopy

Special Issue: Raman spectroscopy in art and archaeology

Volume 43, Issue 11, pages 1833–1838, November 2012

Additional Information

How to Cite

Karampelas, S., Wörle, M., Hunger, K. and Lanz, H. (2012), Micro-Raman spectroscopy on two chalices from the Benedictine Abbey of Einsiedeln: Identification of gemstones. J. Raman Spectrosc., 43: 1833–1838. doi: 10.1002/jrs.4069

Author Information

  1. 1

    Gübelin Gem Lab, Lucerne, Switzerland

  2. 2

    Laboratory for Conservation Research, Centre of Collections, Swiss National Museum, Affoltern am Albis, Switzerland

  3. 3

    Collections and Documentation, Swiss National Museum, Zürich, Switzerland

*Stefanos Karampelas, Gübelin Gem Lab, Maihofstrasse 102, CH-6006 Lucerne, Switzerland. E-mail: s.karampelas@gubelingemlab.ch

  1. †

    This article is part of the Journal of Raman Spectroscopy special issue entitled “Raman spectroscopy in art and archaeology” edited by Juan Manuel Madariaga and Danilo Bersani.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 21 NOV 2012
  2. Article first published online: 11 AUG 2012
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 3 MAR 2012
  4. Manuscript Revised: 23 FEB 2012
  5. Manuscript Received: 12 DEC 2011

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Keywords:

  • Einsiedeln Abbey;
  • chalices;
  • gem;
  • archaeogemology

The gems that adorn two golden chalices from Einsiedeln Abbey (Switzerland) crafted in 1609 and 1629 were investigated using Raman spectroscopy. The results were also compared with those obtained by other non-destructive means such as microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence. The chalice made in 1609 was adorned with 16 corundum (15 rubies and 1 sapphire), four garnets (two almandine and two grossular), seven quartzes (six amethysts and one citrine) and one peridot (forsterite olivine). All pearls of this chalice were found to be from a saltwater mollusc. The chalice crafted in 1629 was adorned with 23 diamonds. Compilation of all the results does not exclude that the stones mounted to the chalices are of ‘oriental’ origin. However, more research needs to be done by additional spectroscopic means to shed more light on their origin. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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