Ornamental material performing particular light emission or particular color emission

Abstract

As an ornamental material, use is made of a single crystal represented by a chemical formula RVO 4 , where R is at least one rare earth element selected from Sc, Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, and Lu.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An ornamental material comprising a single crystal represented by a chemical formula RVO 4 , where R is at least one rare earth element selected from Sc, Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, and Lu.  
     
     
         2 . An ornamental material according to  claim 1 , wherein the single crystal is used in the form of a block.  
     
     
         3 . An ornamental material having powder particles obtained by processing a single crystal represented by a chemical formula RVO 4 , where R is at least one rare earth element selected from Sc, Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, and Lu.  
     
     
         4 . An ornamental material having fine crystals obtained by processing a single crystal represented by a chemical formula RVO 4 , where R is at least one rare earth element selected from Sc, Y, La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Th, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, and Lu.  
     
     
         5 . An ornamental material according to any one of claims  1  through  4 , wherein the ornamental material performs, when excited by one of the infrared light and the ultraviolet light, one of light emission and color emission in a color different from that exhibited under the visible light.  
     
     
         6 . An ornamental material according to any one of claims  1  through  4 , wherein the ornamental material exhibits different colors under the ultraviolet light, the infrared light, and the visible light, respectively.  
     
     
         7 . An ornamental material according to any one of claims  1  through  4 , wherein the ornamental material exhibits, when irradiated by one of the ultraviolet light and the infrared light, a color different from that exhibited under the visible light.  
     
     
         8 . An ornamental material according to any one of claims  1  through  4 , wherein the ornamental material instantaneously causes color change when irradiated light directed to the ornamental material is switched among the ultraviolet light, the infrared light, and the visible light.  
     
     
         9 . An ornamental material exhibiting different colors under the ultraviolet light, the infrared light, and the visible light, respectively.  
     
     
         10 . An ornamental material exhibiting, when irradiated by one of the ultraviolet light and the infrared light, a color different from that exhibited under the visible light.  
     
     
         11 . An ornamental material comprising 40.0-60.0 mol % vanadium oxide and 40.0-60.0 mol % rare earth element.  
     
     
         12 . An ornamental material according to any one of claims  1  through  11 , wherein the ornamental material is used as one of synthetic jewelry, a nail art material, manicure, a pigment, a cosmetic product, a coating material, beads, a glass product, a resin mold, woven fabric, nonwoven fabric, and a fiber product.  
     
     
         13 . An ornamental material according to any one of claims  1  through  12 , wherein the ornamental material serves as one of an ultraviolet sensor and an infrared sensor.