Burmese Spinel Inclusions

First Published: 7 September 2026

Burmese Spinel Inclusions

Explore Burmese spinel inclusions in Hyperion, the Lotus Gemology inclusion database. Hyperion contains photomicrographs of inclusions and internal features in natural spinels from Myanmar (Burma), documented with information on treatment, lighting conditions, field of view, photographer and published references.

A sulfur-rich fluid inclusion after cutting down to expose it at the surface reveals that the orange material is a fluid that has leaked out, revealing to to most likely be a hydrocarbon like petroleum oil.
Plane of transparent birefringent crystals (possibly calcite) in a spinel from Myanmar’s Mogok Stone Tract.
Sulfur-rich fluid inclusions in a natural pink spinel from Pein Pyit, Mogok, Burma. These proved to be an orange liquid when polished down.
A large winged spinel octahedron hovering within a red spinel from Pyaung Gaung, in Burma’s Mogok Stone Tract.
Pink spinel from Kyauk Sin, Mogok, Burma, containing what looks like a calcite inclusion with twinning and unusual disc inclusion in the calcite visible between crossed polars.
Unusual star-like radiating fibers in this natural red spinel.
Unusual star-like radiating fibers in this natural red spinel.
A polysynthetically twinned calcite crystal is captured within a Burmese red spinel. The twin planes stand out in strong relief when viewed between crossed polars.
Transparent birefringent crystals with strain patterns enliven the interior of this blue spinel from Mogok, Myanmar.
In Myanmar it has become common practice to oil virtually all gems that contain fissures. Here we see oil-filled fissures dripping oil in a spinel from Mogok.
In Myanmar it has become common practice to oil virtually all gems that contain fissures. Here we see oil-filled fissures in a spinel from Mogok.
Unusual stacked dislocations form a hexagonal pattern in this spinel from Mogok, Burma.

Burmese 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 and evaluating a possible Burmese origin.

Burmese Spinel Inclusion Photomicrographs

The Hyperion Burmese spinel gallery includes microscopic features documented in spinels from Myanmar (Burma). Each entry is accompanied by descriptive information and, where available, references to the gemological literature.

What Inclusions Can Reveal About Burmese Spinel

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

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

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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