Fall 2023 - Volume 59, Issue 3
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A well-formed colorless breyite crystal reminiscent of a stone making a splash in water. Photomicrograph by Aprisara Semapongpan; field of view 1.07 mm.
Breyite in Diamond

A colorless transparent crystal inclusion in diamond is reminiscent of a stone splashing in water.

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Bladed crystals of columbite radiate from a central point in colorless topaz. The mirror-like surfaces allow for reflections of neighboring blades, as seen in the top left crystal. Photomicrograph by Tyler Smith; field of view 2.90 mm.
Spray of Columbite Crystals in Topaz

A cluster of bladed columbite crystals is identified in colorless topaz.

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This etch channel seen in the crown facets of a 1.00 ct diamond with SI<sub>1</sub> clarity (left) resembled a <em>gada</em> (right), a mace-like weapon wielded by the Hindu god Hanuman. Photomicrograph (left) by Deepak Raj; field of view 0.80 mm. Photo (right) courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Inclusion Resembling a Gada in Diamond

An etch channel in the crown facets of a diamond resembles a mace-like weapon.

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This iridescent ferropericlase crystal with a stress halo measuring approximately 0.7 mm was trapped inside a light brown diamond. Photomicrograph by Kyaw Soe Moe; field of view 1.58 mm.
Iridescent Inclusion in Brown Diamond

An iridescent crystal with a stress halo is observed in a light brown diamond.

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This round brilliant diamond displays twinning wisps that resemble a whale. Photomicrograph by Nathan Renfro; field of view 2.62 mm.
Natural Diamond with Twinning Wisps Resembling a Whale

Examination of a round brilliant diamond reveals twinning wisps in the formation of a whale.

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Gas bubbles hide just beneath natural crystal inclusions in this garnet and glass doublet. Photomicrograph by Emily Jones; field of view 1.58 mm.
A Red Herring in a Red Garnet

Transparent crystal inclusions and gas bubbles are observed in a garnet-topped doublet.

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Morphological features of the tourmaline crystal included in the heliodor are visible; striations and triangular growth marks are present. A band of fluid inclusions is visible near the tip of the schorl tourmaline. Photomicrograph by Rhiana Elizabeth Henry; field of view 2.90 mm. Gift of Mark Mauthner, GIA Museum no. 37772.
Heliodor with a Large Schorl Inclusion

An 8.33 ct rectangular heliodor displays two tourmaline inclusions and a thin band of fluids.

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Blade-like magnetite inclusions developed from a healed fracture in a 2.08 ct Burmese peridot resemble a rainy lakeside city. Photomicrograph by Makoto Miura; field of view 1.06 mm.
Rainy Lakeside City in Peridot

Blade-like magnetite inclusions developed from a healed fracture in peridot resemble a dark, rainy afternoon in a lakeside city.

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The rectilinear zigzag-patterned fingerprint in this 3.21 ct blue sapphire shows beautiful vibrant colors, indicating a Sri Lankan origin. Photomicrograph by Yuxiao Li; field of view 4.45 mm.
Zigzag Fingerprint in Sri Lankan Sapphire

Fiber-optic illumination reveals rectilinear zigzag-patterned films with vibrant colors in a blue sapphire.

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A precipitation of an unidentified mineral in a fissure of a purple spinel creates this highly intricate moiré pattern. A combination of oblique fiber-optic and darkfield illumination was used. Photomicrograph by Tyler Smith; field of view 2.90 mm.
Fissure with Moiré Pattern in Spinel

A precipitation of an unidentified mineral creates a complex moiré pattern in a fissure of a purple spinel.

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