Oiled Emerald Inclusions

First Published: 7 September 2026

Oiled Emerald Inclusions

Explore oiled emerald inclusions in Hyperion, the Lotus Gemology inclusion database. Hyperion contains photomicrographs of inclusions and internal features in natural emeralds that have undergone fissure filling with colorless oil or resin, documented with information on geographic origin, treatment, lighting conditions, field of view, photographer and published references.

Close up of a trapiche emerald. The hexagonal structure of the emerald can be clearly observed.
Slim rods of what may be amphibole, alongside brown plates of what is probably mica in emerald of schist-hosted origin. The iridescent interference colors are produce by examining the specimen between crossed polars. This demonstrates that the crystals are doubly refractive, giving clues to their identity.
Several dark green crystals can be observed in this emerald. Analysis with micro Raman identified them as tremolite (amphibole).
Several solid inclusions can be observed in this emerald. When viewed in reflected light where cut through, we can see that their luster is just slightly different from that of the host emerald. Analysis with micro Raman revealed that these crystals are tremolite (amphibole).
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 emerald contained several elongated three-phase inclusions.
Micro Raman revealed that this cluster of inclusions in emerald contained a variety of crystals. The elongated crystal on the left is quartz, the area in the center contains calcite and apatite, and the right-most crystal is calcite.
3-phase inclusion in Colombian emerald.
This blocky, transparent crystal stood out in its Zambian emerald host. Analysis with micro Raman revealed that it is fluorophlogopite.
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.

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Emeralds commonly contain surface-reaching fissures that may be filled with colorless oil or resin to reduce their visibility. Microscopic examination may reveal features associated with such filling, including differences in relief, flash effects, trapped bubbles or incomplete filling within fissures.

Oiled Emerald Inclusion Photomicrographs

The Hyperion oiled emerald gallery includes microscopic features documented in natural emeralds recorded as having fissure filling with colorless oil or resin. Each entry identifies the recorded treatment and is accompanied by descriptive information and, where available, references to the gemological literature.

What Inclusions Can Reveal About Emerald Treatment

Microscopic examination is an important part of detecting fissure filling in emerald. The appearance of surface-reaching fissures and the materials within them can provide evidence of treatment and help gemologists assess the nature of the filling material.

Hyperion combines inclusion photomicrography with supporting gemological information so that treatment-related features can be compared with documented examples in natural emerald.

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.