Colombian Emerald Inclusions

First Published: 7 September 2026

Colombian Emerald Inclusions

Explore Colombian emerald inclusions in Hyperion, the Lotus Gemology inclusion database. Hyperion contains photomicrographs of inclusions and internal features in natural emeralds from Colombia, documented with information on treatment, lighting conditions, field of view, photographer and published references.

Colombian emeralds crystallize from a saline-based brine, remnants of which can be found as three-phase inclusions featuring jagged-edged liquid-filled pockets containing blocky crystals of halite (sodium chloride—rock salt).
Chalky fluorescence, visible in longwave ultraviolet illumination, unmasks filler in the fissures of this emerald.
Chalky fluorescence, visible in longwave ultraviolet illumination, unmasks filler in the fissures of this emerald.
When viewed in crossed polars, this calcite crystal (identified with micro Raman) displays interference colors and polysynthetic twin planes. This calcite is ensconced in an emerald from Colombia.
This crystal, suspended in a Colombian emerald, has sharp angular features. Micro Raman identified it as calcite. Note that twin planes are visible in crossed polars.
This angular yellow stood out immediately when we examined this ermerald. Analysis with micro Raman revealed that it is parisite.
Upon close examination of this emerald, we can see tiny bubbles in areas that contain filler.
This emerald contained filler to help improve the appearance of fissures in the stone. It can be hard to see this with just dark field illumination, but by shining a longwave UV torch on the stone, the filled areas become immediately apparent with a chalky appearance. We can also see many small bubbles in the area with filler.
The three-phase inclusion featuring a jagged-edged cavity enclosing a saline solution with a gas bubble and halite (rock salt) crystal is the hallmark of the Colombian emerald. While three-phase inclusions have been found in emeralds from other countries, they are extremely common in Colombian stones.
Twinned pyrite crystal in an emerald from Colombia. The formation of pyrite before emerald sucked iron from the hydrothermal fluid, allowing Colombian emeralds to crystallize in an iron-poor environment. This is one factor that contributed to the fine green color of the Colombian stone, when compared with emeralds from other sources.
In this resin-filled emerald, an yellow-orange flash can be seen in the filled fracture. This treatment helps to minimize the appearance of fissures.

Colombian emerald inclusions may include mineral crystals, fluid inclusions, multiphase inclusions, healed fissures, 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 emerald and evaluating a possible Colombian origin.

Colombian Emerald Inclusion Photomicrographs

The Hyperion Colombian emerald gallery includes microscopic features documented in emeralds from Colombia. Each entry is accompanied by descriptive information and, where available, references to the gemological literature.

What Inclusions Can Reveal About Colombian Emerald

Inclusions are an important part of geographic origin determination in emerald. Their form, composition and associations can provide evidence that, when considered together with other gemological properties, may support or contradict a Colombian origin.

Hyperion combines inclusion photomicrography with supporting gemological information so that individual features can be compared with documented examples from Colombian emeralds.

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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