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.

I believe I can fly. A dolomite crystal (identified with micro Raman) appears to take flight as it is flanked by dislocation needle “wings.”
Streams of fine particles form delicate waves in this spinel. Note that the streams are made of tiny dislocation needles.
A series of planes can be observed in this spinel when using fiber optic illumination. Such planes have been seen in Tanzanian spinels of various colors.
Star-like accretion halos give the interior of this spinel a galactic appearance.
Streams of small particles create a striking pattern in this spinel from Tanzania.
Tiny octahedral crystals, surrounded by small fissures, rest in a cloud of fine particles in this spinel from Tanzania.
This cluster of blocky transparent crystals was identified as apatite using Raman spectroscopy.
This crystal displays multicolored iridescence on its surface when illuminated with fiber optic light. Analysis with micro Raman revealed that this crystal is phlogopite mica.
Dolomite crystals, identified with micro Raman, stand out in this blue spinel.
Ghost planes light up like a multicolored rain storm when viewed between crossed polars in this cobalt blue spinel from Tanzania.
This blue spinel displayed a striking green fluorescence when illuminated with longwave ultraviolet light.
A small black crystal, likely uraninite, displays a strain pattern in crossed polars.

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.