This spinel contained a few transparent, doubly refractive crystal inclusions. We analyzed the one pictured with micro Raman, and found that the larger crystal is apatite, while the small rounded crystals attached on the left of the apatite crystal are baddeleyite.
Natural Spinel • Sri Lanka (Ceylon) • Enhancements: None Detected (None) • Lighting Conditions: Dark Field + Diffuse Fiber Optic
Photographer: E. Billie Hughes •
Image Number: A-003-9866-1 • Field of View = 2.5 mm • Date Posted: 13 September 2021
Hughes, E.B., Koivula, J.I., Manorotkul, W., Renfro, N. and Hughes, R.W. (2019) Spinel inclusions: An exercise in aesthetics. InColor, No. 43, pp. 48–55; RWHL*.
Gübelin, E.J. and Koivula, J.I. (2005) Photoatlas of Inclusions in Gemstones, Volume 2. Basel, Switzerland, Opinio Publishers, 830 pp.; RWHL*.