Spinel Inclusions

First Published: 7 September 2026

Spinel Inclusions

Explore spinel inclusions in Hyperion, the Lotus Gemology inclusion database. Hyperion contains photomicrographs of inclusions and internal features in natural spinel, documented with information on geographic origin, treatment, lighting conditions, field of view, photographer and published references.

A small cavity containing a mobile bubble can be observed under magnification in this spinel. Raman spectroscopy confirmed that the yellow-orange areas are sulfur-rich fluids. Sample courtesy Rosway.
When viewed under the microscope, this spinel can be seen hosting a tiny dolomite inclusion, which was identified with Raman spectroscopy.
Stellar spinel. Bands of dislocation needles radiate around a dolomite crystal (identified with micro Raman) to create a stellate pattern in this spinel.
A large negative crystal with a mobile gas bubble resides in this unheated Burmese spinel. Analyses with microRaman spectroscopy were inconclusive. However, a near-invisible fissure extends through this negative crystal to the surface. By using a hot point, oil leaked out of this fissure and others around the stone. Therefore, the cavity may be filled with oil.
A small forsterite crystal, identified by micro Raman spectroscopy, is suspended within this spinel. Between crossed polars a strain pattern can be observed, producing the appearance of a tiny shining star.
A cluster of mineral inclusions in Tanzanian spinel, identified by micro-Raman spectroscopy as diopside, phlogopite, and edenite, exhibits fluorescence under short-wave UV.
A cluster of mineral inclusions in Tanzanian spinel, identified by micro-Raman as diopside, phlogopite, and edenite, exhibits lower luster than the host, while a golden pyrite crystal stands out with higher luster.
A cluster of mineral inclusions in Tanzanian spinel, identified by micro-Raman as diopside, phlogopite, and edenite, with a dark opaque pyrite crystal.
Octahedral crystals like this one are a classic inclusion in spinel, echoing the crystal structure of their host.
A cluster of unidentified crystals in a Vietnamese spinel.
This Mozambican spinel contains many transparent, doubly refractive crystals. Raman analysis identified the larger, more elongated crystals as apatite, while the small rounded ones are zircon.
Small platelets and needles are scattered across this spinel from Mozambique.

Search the Complete Hyperion Database

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, understanding its geological history, recognizing treatment and, in some cases, determining geographic origin.

Spinel Inclusion Photomicrographs

The Hyperion spinel gallery includes microscopic features found in spinels from major deposits around the world. Each entry is accompanied by descriptive information and, where available, references to the gemological literature.

What Inclusions Can Reveal About Spinel

Inclusions are an important part of spinel identification. Their form, composition and alteration can help gemologists distinguish natural spinel from synthetic material, recognize evidence of treatment, and study the geological environment in which the spinel formed.

Hyperion combines inclusion photomicrography with supporting gemological information so that individual features can be compared with documented examples from known spinel deposits.

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.