Spinel Inclusions
Explore spinel inclusions in Hyperion, the Lotus Gemology inclusion database. Hyperion contains photomicrographs of inclusions and internal features in natural spinel, documented with information on geographic origin, treatment, lighting conditions, field of view, photographer and published references.
This dolomite crystal cut through on the surface of its spinel host contains black graphite flakes. These inclusions were identified with micro Raman.
Natural Spinel •
Tanzania; Mahenge •
Enhancements:
None Detected (None) •
Lighting Conditions:
Dark Field + Diffuse Overhead Fiber Optic
Photographer:
E. Billie Hughes •
Image Number:
A-003-7514-3
• Field of View = 3mm
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*.
A rounded dolomite crystal appears suspended in this spinel. The crystal was identified with Raman spectroscopy.
Natural Spinel •
Tanzania; Mahenge •
Enhancements:
None Detected (None) •
Lighting Conditions:
Dark Field
Photographer:
E. Billie Hughes •
Image Number:
A-003-7514-2
• Field of View = 2.5mm
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*.
Micro raman revealed that the cluster of crystals on the left is dolomite, and that the hexagonal crystal on the right is phlogopite.
Natural Spinel •
Tanzania; Mahenge •
Enhancements:
None Detected (None) •
Lighting Conditions:
Dark Field
Photographer:
E. Billie Hughes •
Image Number:
A-003-7514-1
• Field of View = 2mm
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*.
Several small metallic crystals, some of which are hexagonal, stood out in this spinel. Micro Raman identified them as graphite.
Natural Spinel •
Vietnam •
Enhancements:
None Detected (None) •
Lighting Conditions:
Photographer:
E. Billie Hughes •
Image Number:
A-003-7478-1
• Field of View = 1mm
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*.
Apatite is a common inclusion in spinel. Here we can see it in both a more rounded and elongated form. The identity of the apatite was confirmed with Raman spectroscopy. Specimen courtesy Ayub Muhammad.
Natural Spinel •
No Origin •
Enhancements:
None Detected (None) •
Lighting Conditions:
Dark Field + Diffuse Fiber Optic
Photographer:
E. Billie Hughes •
Image Number:
R-003-6283-3
• Field of View = 4mm
Gübelin, E.J. and Koivula, J.I. (2005) Photoatlas of Inclusions in Gemstones, Volume 2. Basel, Switzerland, Opinio Publishers, 830 pp.; RWHL*.
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*.
Several irregular dark crystals were present in this pink spinel.
Natural Spinel •
Tajikistan; Kuh-i-Lal •
Enhancements:
None Detected (None) •
Lighting Conditions:
Light Field (Transmitted Light)
Photographer:
E. Billie Hughes •
Image Number:
A-003-7425-2
• Field of View = 3mm
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*.
An irregular fingerprint (partially healed fissures) can be observed inside this spinel.
Natural Spinel •
Tajikistan; Kuh-i-Lal •
Enhancements:
None Detected (None) •
Lighting Conditions:
Dark Field
Photographer:
E. Billie Hughes •
Image Number:
A-003-7425-1
• Field of View = 4mm
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*.
Testing with micro Raman identified this irregular, elongated crystal as phlogopite mica.
Natural Spinel •
Myanmar (Burma); Mogok/Namya •
Enhancements:
None Detected (None) •
Lighting Conditions:
Dark Field
Photographer:
E. Billie Hughes •
Image Number:
A-003-7241-2
• Field of View = 2mm
Gübelin, E.J. and Koivula, J.I. (2005) Photoatlas of Inclusions in Gemstones, Volume 2. Basel, Switzerland, Opinio Publishers, 830 pp.; RWHL*.
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*.
Fine exsolved particles and short “silk” needles are scattered across this spinel.
Natural Spinel •
Myanmar (Burma); Mogok/Namya •
Enhancements:
None Detected (None) •
Lighting Conditions:
Dark Field + Shadowing
Photographer:
E. Billie Hughes •
Image Number:
A-003-7241-1
• Field of View = 2.5mm
Gübelin, E.J. and Koivula, J.I. (2005) Photoatlas of Inclusions in Gemstones, Volume 2. Basel, Switzerland, Opinio Publishers, 830 pp.; RWHL*.
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*.
245 Total Images
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Spinel inclusions may include mineral crystals, healed fissures, fluid inclusions, negative crystals, growth features and other internal features formed during or after crystal growth. Such features are important to gemologists because they can provide evidence useful in identifying spinel, understanding its geological history, recognizing treatment and, in some cases, determining geographic origin.
Spinel Inclusion Photomicrographs
The Hyperion spinel gallery includes microscopic features found in spinels from major deposits around the world. Each entry is accompanied by descriptive information and, where available, references to the gemological literature.
What Inclusions Can Reveal About Spinel
Inclusions are an important part of spinel identification. Their form, composition and alteration can help gemologists distinguish natural spinel from synthetic material, recognize evidence of treatment, and study the geological environment in which the spinel formed.
Hyperion combines inclusion photomicrography with supporting gemological information so that individual features can be compared with documented examples from known spinel deposits.
About Hyperion
Hyperion is the Lotus Gemology searchable inclusion database. It allows users to browse gemstone inclusions by gem type, geographic origin, treatment and keyword.
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