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.
Spinels from Burma’s Mogok Stone Tract sometimes display broad zoning patterns. This can often be accentuated by using crossed polars to examine the stone.
Natural Spinel •
Myanmar (Burma); Mogok •
Enhancements:
Fissure Filling with colorless Oil/resin (FF-O2) •
Lighting Conditions:
Diffuse Light Field + Crossed Polars
Photographer:
Richard W. Hughes •
Image Number:
A-001-0771-1
Many gems entering the market from Burma have been found to be oiled in an attempt to conceal their fissures. In transmitted light, the trapped air bubbles within the oil-filled fissures appear in high relief black patches.
Natural Spinel •
Myanmar (Burma) •
Enhancements:
Fissure Filling with colorless Oil/resin (FF-O2) •
Lighting Conditions:
Fiber Optic: Transmitted
Photographer:
Richard W. Hughes •
Image Number:
A-001-0455-2
Lotus Gemology (2015) Lotus Gemology Lab Alert for Oiled Gems. Bangkok, LotusGemology.com, RWHL*.
Many gems entering the market from Burma have been found to be oiled in an attempt to conceal their fissures. This fraud can often be unmasked by using the hot point, which may cause oil drops to leak from fissures.
Natural Spinel •
Myanmar (Burma) •
Enhancements:
Fissure Filling with colorless Oil/resin (FF-O2) •
Lighting Conditions:
Fiber Optic: Diffuse Overhead
Photographer:
Richard W. Hughes •
Image Number:
A-001-0455-1
Lotus Gemology (2015) Lotus Gemology Lab Alert for Oiled Gems. Bangkok, LotusGemology.com, RWHL*.
Transparent birefringent crystals in spinel with "belly button" spots.
Natural Spinel •
Myanmar (Burma); Mogok •
Enhancements:
None Detected (None) •
Lighting Conditions:
Fiber Optic: Oblique
Photographer:
E. Billie Hughes •
Image Number:
A-001-1524-2
A transparent birefringent crystal in spinel, as seen between crossed polars.
Natural Spinel •
Myanmar (Burma); Mogok •
Enhancements:
None Detected (None) •
Lighting Conditions:
Diffuse Light Field + Crossed Polars
Photographer:
E. Billie Hughes •
Image Number:
A-001-1524-1
A transparent birefringent crystal cut through on the surface of this natural spinel from Mogok stands out in high contrast when viewed between crossed polars.
Natural Spinel •
Myanmar (Burma); Mogok •
Enhancements:
None Detected (None) •
Lighting Conditions:
Diffuse Light Field + Crossed Polars
Photographer:
E. Billie Hughes •
Image Number:
A-001-1213-2
A transparent birefringent crystal cut through on the surface of this natural spinel from Mogok stands out in high contrast when viewed between crossed polars.
Natural Spinel •
Myanmar (Burma); Mogok •
Enhancements:
None Detected (None) •
Lighting Conditions:
Diffuse Light Field + Crossed Polars
Photographer:
E. Billie Hughes •
Image Number:
A-001-1213-1
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.
