Sara Monico, 27, is a first-year PhD student in Earth Sciences at the “Ardito Desio” department of the University of Milan. She recently completed a multidisciplinary research concerning different varieties of chalcedony, highlighting the peculiar aspects of these polycrystalline aggregates. The study focused, in particular, on the characterization of a new variety of chalcedony called “aquaprase”, investigating, among other aspects, the causes of its coloration.

Currently, her research is focused on pseudo-amorphous materials of gemological interest, such as opal and chrysocolla. The main objective of the study is to deepen the understanding of the mineralogical, compositional and petrographic aspects of these aggregates through a multi-methodological approach that combines conventional analytical techniques with the potential offered by advanced ones.

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