This cluster of large tubes was cut through on both ends inside of a spinel. Specimen courtesy of Global Spinel Gems.

Natural Spinel  •  No Origin  •  Enhancements: None Detected (None)  •  Lighting Conditions: Dark Field + Blue Filter + Diffuse Fiber Optic
Photographer: E. Billie Hughes  •  Image Number: R-003-3493-1

Gübelin, E.J. and Koivula, J.I. (2005) Photoatlas of Inclusions in Gemstones, Volume 2. Basel, Switzerland, Opinio Publishers, 830 pp.; RWHL*.

Inside this spinel a cluster of irregular, high relief crystals stands out. Specimen courtesy Global Spinel Gems.

Natural Spinel  •  No Origin  •  Enhancements: None Detected (None)  •  Lighting Conditions: Dark Field + Blue Filter + Diffuse Fiber Optic
Photographer: E. Billie Hughes  •  Image Number: R-003-3497-2

Gübelin, E.J. and Koivula, J.I. (2005) Photoatlas of Inclusions in Gemstones, Volume 2. Basel, Switzerland, Opinio Publishers, 830 pp.; RWHL*.

Octahedral crystals are a common inclusion in spinel and grow according to the underlying symmetry of their spinel host.

Natural Spinel  •  Sri Lanka (Ceylon)  •  Enhancements: None Detected (None)  •  Lighting Conditions: Dark Field + Diffuse Fiber Optic
Photographer: E. Billie Hughes  •  Image Number: A-003-3651-2

Gübelin, E.J. and Koivula, J.I. (2005) Photoatlas of Inclusions in Gemstones, Volume 2. Basel, Switzerland, Opinio Publishers, 830 pp.; RWHL*.

Large angular cavities are filled with a white substance in a red spinel. Specimen courtesy Global Spinel Gems.

Natural Spinel  •  No Origin  •  Enhancements: None Detected (None)  •  Lighting Conditions: Dark Field + Diffuse Fiber Optic
Photographer: E. Billie Hughes  •  Image Number: R-003-3498-2

Gübelin, E.J. and Koivula, J.I. (2005) Photoatlas of Inclusions in Gemstones, Volume 2. Basel, Switzerland, Opinio Publishers, 830 pp.; RWHL*.

Large angular cavities are filled with a white substance in a red spinel. Specimen courtesy Global Spinel Gems.

Natural Spinel  •  No Origin  •  Enhancements: None Detected (None)  •  Lighting Conditions: Dark Field + Diffuse Fiber Optic
Photographer: E. Billie Hughes  •  Image Number: R-003-3498-1

Gübelin, E.J. and Koivula, J.I. (2005) Photoatlas of Inclusions in Gemstones, Volume 2. Basel, Switzerland, Opinio Publishers, 830 pp.; RWHL*.

An octahedral crystal is suspended in its spinel host. Specimen courtesy Global Spinel Gems.

Natural Spinel  •  No Origin  •  Enhancements: None Detected (None)  •  Lighting Conditions: Dark Field + Blue Filter + Diffuse Oblique Fiber Optic
Photographer: E. Billie Hughes  •  Image Number: R-003-3496-1

Gübelin, E.J. and Koivula, J.I. (2005) Photoatlas of Inclusions in Gemstones, Volume 2. Basel, Switzerland, Opinio Publishers, 830 pp.; RWHL*.

While testing this spinel from Mahenge, Tanzania, we noticed some interesting transparent crystals. Testing with Microraman revealed that this included crystal to be dolomite.

Natural Spinel  •  Tanzania; Mahenge  •  Enhancements: None Detected (None)  •  Lighting Conditions: Dark Field
Photographer: E. Billie Hughes  •  Image Number: A-003-3637-2

Gübelin, E.J. and Koivula, J.I. (2005) Photoatlas of Inclusions in Gemstones, Volume 2. Basel, Switzerland, Opinio Publishers, 830 pp.; RWHL*.

While testing this spinel from Mahenge, Tanzania, we noticed some interesting transparent crystals. Testing with Microraman revealed that this included crystal to be dolomite.

Natural Spinel  •  Tanzania; Mahenge  •  Enhancements: None Detected (None)  •  Lighting Conditions: Dark Field
Photographer: E. Billie Hughes  •  Image Number: A-003-3637-1

Gübelin, E.J. and Koivula, J.I. (2005) Photoatlas of Inclusions in Gemstones, Volume 2. Basel, Switzerland, Opinio Publishers, 830 pp.; RWHL*.

Two solid crystals of unknown identity perch inside this red spinel from Myanmar’s Mogok Stone Tract.

Natural Spinel  •  Myanmar (Burma); Mogok/Namya  •  Enhancements: Fissure Filling with colorless Oil/resin (FF-O1); No indications of heating (No indications of heating)  •  Lighting Conditions: Fiber Optic: Diffuse Oblique
Photographer: Wimon Manorotkul  •  Image Number: A-003-2431-1

Gübelin, E.J. and Koivula, J.I. (2005) Photoatlas of Inclusions in Gemstones, Volume 2. Basel, Switzerland, Opinio Publishers, 830 pp.; RWHL*.

Perhaps the most classic of all spinel inclusions is a fingerprint made up of tiny octahedral negative crystals.

Natural Spinel  •  Myanmar (Burma); Mogok/Namya  •  Enhancements: None Detected (None)  •  Lighting Conditions: Dark Field + Oblique Fiber Optic
Photographer: Wimon Manorotkul  •  Image Number: A-003-2430-3

Gübelin, E.J. and Koivula, J.I. (2005) Photoatlas of Inclusions in Gemstones, Volume 2. Basel, Switzerland, Opinio Publishers, 830 pp.; RWHL*.

An accretion cloud surrounds a small carbonate-lined negative crystal in this Burmese spinel.

Natural Spinel  •  Myanmar (Burma); Mogok/Namya  •  Enhancements: None Detected (None)  •  Lighting Conditions: Fiber Optic: Oblique
Photographer: Wimon Manorotkul  •  Image Number: A-003-2430-2

Gübelin, E.J. and Koivula, J.I. (2005) Photoatlas of Inclusions in Gemstones, Volume 2. Basel, Switzerland, Opinio Publishers, 830 pp.; RWHL*.

An accretion cloud surrounds a small carbonate-lined negative crystal in this Burmese spinel.

Natural Spinel  •  Myanmar (Burma); Mogok/Namya  •  Enhancements: None Detected (None)  •  Lighting Conditions: Fiber Optic: Oblique
Photographer: Wimon Manorotkul  •  Image Number: A-003-2429-3

Gübelin, E.J. and Koivula, J.I. (2005) Photoatlas of Inclusions in Gemstones, Volume 2. Basel, Switzerland, Opinio Publishers, 830 pp.; RWHL*.