#gem inclusions

[nothingeverythingallatonce]

Smiley face emoji-like graphite inclusions in a thin Diamond slice from South Africa. Personal collection, photomicrograph x15 magnification.

[scarodactyl]

Hypersthene

A close-up look at a classic Canadian hypersthene (iron-enriched enstatite, a close relative of diopside and jadeite).  It is shot through with what look like fine planty crystals of likely exsolved hematite or ferrosilite.  This material has a gorgeous, rippled silvery sheen in the hand.  It is usually seen as tumbles or poorly cut commercial cabs, but a friend recently cut a few proper cabochons from it and all I can say is they look amazing (picture borrowed from his etsy page, though I’m afraid that cab is already sold):

That cabochon has a normal dome but the oriented inclusions make very convincing wrinkles--it is kind of uncanny in the hand!

[nothingeverythingallatonce]

Kaolinite inclusions in Quartz from Brazil. Kaolinite is a natural mineral bearing clay which is rarely encountered as an internal feature within gemstones. Personal collection, photomicrograph x25 magnification.

[nothingeverythingallatonce]

A teal-blue crystal of Apatite suspended in transparent, colourless Quartz from Brazil. Personal collection, photomicrograph x35 magnification.

[nothingeverythingallatonce]

Discoid Calcite crystal inclusions with curved needle-like Rutile in Quartz from China. Magnified image (x25), personal collection.

[nothingeverythingallatonce]

Seasons Greetings! Actinolite inclusions in Quartz, China. Photomicrograph x25 magnification Personal collection