Influence of coloring agent (copper) on the crystallization of calcium antimonates: Studies on Roman turquoise glass tesserae
Abstract
White and turquoise Ca-antimonate tesserae from Noheda (Spain) were characterized using LA-ICP-MS, XRD, SEM, and XANES spectroscopy to investigate their composition, crystalline phases, and opacification mechanisms. White tesserae contain a single Ca-antimonate phase (CaSb 2 O 6 or Ca 2 Sb 2 O 7 ), controlled by MgO content and thermal conditions, while most turquoise tesserae exhibit both phases and more heterogeneous compositions. XANES analysis reveals that antimony occurs predominantly as Sb 5 + in turquoise glasses, while the copper redox state varies with concentration and source, showing limited interaction with Sb. Experimental reproductions demonstrate that in situ crystallization and crystal addition produce distinct microstructures, with copper selectively inhibiting crystal growth only via the in situ pathway. These findings offer new insights into Roman glass production practices and opacification technologies.
Related
- A unique technology for creating thin gold layers inside medieval glass tesserae.
- Kinetic Monte Carlo simulations of Ge–Sb–Te alloy crystallization in confined PCRAM cells
- Ionic liquids-modulated crystallization boosts antimony sulfoselenide solar cell efficiency
- Atomic-scale assessment of the crystallization onset in silicon carbonitride
- Polymer interface-driven perovskite crystallization in electrospun fibers
BibTeX
@article{cormier2026influence,
title = {{Influence of coloring agent (copper) on the crystallization of calcium antimonates: Studies on Roman turquoise glass tesserae}},
author = {Laurent Cormier and Léa Gardie and Nadine Schibille and Clément Holé},
journal = {Journal of the European Ceramic Society},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.1016/j.jeurceramsoc.2026.118877},
url = {https://hal.science/hal-05763300v1},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Influence of coloring agent (copper) on the crystallization of calcium antimonates: Studies on Roman turquoise glass tesserae
AU - Laurent Cormier
AU - Léa Gardie
AU - Nadine Schibille
AU - Clément Holé
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/24
JO - Journal of the European Ceramic Society
DO - 10.1016/j.jeurceramsoc.2026.118877
UR - https://hal.science/hal-05763300v1
AB - White and turquoise Ca-antimonate tesserae from Noheda (Spain) were characterized using LA-ICP-MS, XRD, SEM, and XANES spectroscopy to investigate their composition, crystalline phases, and opacification mechanisms. White tesserae contain a single Ca-antimonate phase (CaSb 2 O 6 or Ca 2 Sb 2 O 7 ), controlled by MgO content and thermal conditions, while most turquoise tesserae exhibit both phases and more heterogeneous compositions. XANES analysis reveals that antimony occurs predominantly as Sb 5 + in turquoise glasses, while the copper redox state varies with concentration and source, showing limited interaction with Sb. Experimental reproductions demonstrate that in situ crystallization and crystal addition produce distinct microstructures, with copper selectively inhibiting crystal growth only via the in situ pathway. These findings offer new insights into Roman glass production practices and opacification technologies.
SN - 0955-2219
SN - 1873-619X
ER -