
Inclusions in gemstones provide useful information regarding their geological origin. A 2.08 ct Burmese peridot containing unique black blade-like inclusions developed from healed fractures (fingerprints), as shown in the figure above. Raman spectroscopy identified these blade-like inclusions as magnetite. Tiny raindrop-like magnetite lamellae were also observed throughout the stone. Such inclusions in Burmese peridot sometimes create four-rayed asterism. According to previous studies, the presence of magnetite lamellae suggests the oxidation or dehydration of olivine by geological processes. This image resembles a rainy lakeside city landscape.
Makoto Miura is supervisor of colored stone identification at GIA in Tokyo.

Inclusions in gemstones provide useful information regarding their geological origin. A 2.08 ct Burmese peridot containing unique black blade-like inclusions developed from healed fractures (fingerprints), as shown in the figure above. Raman spectroscopy identified these blade-like inclusions as magnetite. Tiny raindrop-like magnetite lamellae were also observed throughout the stone. Such inclusions in Burmese peridot sometimes create four-rayed asterism. According to previous studies, the presence of magnetite lamellae suggests the oxidation or dehydration of olivine by geological processes. This image resembles a rainy lakeside city landscape.
Makoto Miura is supervisor of colored stone identification at GIA in Tokyo.
