MAGI Application Note:

Nov. 30. 2012 Mikko Åström & Alberto Scarani

Quick identification of Pezzottaite

Experienced gemologist has no difficulties in separating pezzottaite from pink beryl. The color of pezzottaite looks deeper with stronger pleochroism and it's RI is higher than what is expected from typical beryl. Actually, pezzottaite is more likely confused with pink tourmaline especially in case of rare and beautiful cat's eye stones. Raman spectroscopy offers a fast and convenient method for identifying this unique material unambigously.

References

Brendan M. Laurs, William B. (Skip) Simmons, George R. Rossman, Elizabeth P. Quinn, Shane F. McClure, Adi Peretti,
Thomas Armbruster, Frank C. Hawthorne, Alexander U. Falster, Detlef Günther, Mark A. Cooper, and Bernard Grobéty:
PEZZOTTAITE FROM AMBATOVITA, MADAGASCAR: A NEW GEM MINERAL

Further reading

Brendan M. Laurs, William B. (Skip) Simmons, George R. Rossman, Elizabeth P. Quinn, Shane F. McClure, Adi Peretti,
Thomas Armbruster, Frank C. Hawthorne, Alexander U. Falster, Detlef Günther, Mark A. Cooper, and Bernard Grobéty:
PEZZOTTAITE FROM AMBATOVITA, MADAGASCAR: A NEW GEM MINERAL

Laurs et al., Gems & Gemology Data Depository, Spectra: IR Absorption, Raman, and X-ray Diffraction (1/20/04)