The Microscopic World Inside Gemstones (Part 1)

The interior of a gemstone is extremely fascinating and colorful. The instrument used to observe the world inside a gemstone is a gem microscope Let’s enjoy it together!

1. Observe diamond through a microscope. The edges are sharp and there is no ghosting (Figure 1). However, ghosting can be seen in moissanite (Figure 2).

Figure 1: diamond edges are Sharp and no ghosting

Figure 2: Moissanite edge is ghosting

2. Characteristics of magnified inspection of natural ruby.

Figure 3  Gas-liquid inclusions inside natural ruby

Figure 4  Needle-like inclusions

Figure 5  Mineral inclusions

Figure 6  Mineral inclusions

3. Magnified characteristics of filled rubies

Figure 7  Abnormal reflection and bubbles in filled ruby

Figure 8  Abnormal reflection and bubbles

4. Identification characteristics of synthetic ruby

Figure 9:  Curved growth lines inside synthetic ruby

5. Magnified identification characteristics of natural sapphire.

Figure 10  Gas-liquid inclusions and mineral inclusions in natural sapphire

Figure 11  mineral inclusions and gas-liquid inclusions of natural sapphire

Figure 12  Gas-liquid inclusions and color bands in natural sapphire

6. Identification characteristics of diffusion-treated sapphire under magnification

Figure 13  The color of the diffusion-treated sapphire deepens at the ridges

7. Identification Characteristics of Synthetic Sapphire Under Magnification

Figure 14:  Inside of synthetic sapphire is clean and free of impurities

Figure 15  Solvent residue in synthetic sapphire

8. Magnified inspection and identification characteristics of natural emeralds

Figure 16  Gas-liquid inclusions and mineral inclusions in natural emerald

Figure 17  Negative crystal and gas-liquid inclusions in natural emerald

Figure 18:  Natural emerald has many cracks

9. Magnified inspection and identification characteristics of synthetic emeralds

Figure 19  Water ripple structure of synthetic emerald

Figure 20  Spike-shaped inclusions in synthetic emerald

10. Identification Characteristics of Aquamarine Under Magnification

Figure 21  Linear inclusions and mineral inclusions in natural aquamarine

Figure 22  “Centipede-shaped” inclusions in natural aquamarine

11.  Identification characteristics of beryl under magnification

Figure 23  Negative crystal inclusions in natural beryl