QUICAZAQUE · EDITORIAL GUIDE
Explore the atlas
An emerald can contain tiny crystals, fluids, and growth marks. This inner landscape is often called a garden. Learning to observe it helps in appreciating the stone and asking better questions before choosing it. Inclusions are common in emeralds. What matters when buying is how they influence its appearance, transparency, and durability, along with its color, cut, size, and declared treatments. An enlarged image is no substitute for examining the gem.
The images in this guide are original educational diagrams, not photomicrographs. The shapes are enlarged to facilitate understanding and do not represent measured magnifications.
A cavity within the emerald contains liquid, gas, and a solid. The proportions have been enlarged for readability. Educational diagram, not to scale.
What you observe — Within a single cavity, a liquid, a gas bubble, and a solid crystal can coexist. In classic examples of Colombian emeralds, the solid can be a small cube of halite, a salt mineral.
What it means — The inclusion retains information about the fluids present during the gem's geological history. The cavities may have irregular, jagged, or more defined outlines.
For your purchase — It is an indication studied by the gemologist. Similar inclusions also exist in other countries: neither the three phases nor a jagged edge, on their own, certify Colombian origin.
Helpful question: Does the report for this emerald include a geographic origin opinion?
Schematic network of residual cavities on an ancient fracture plane. The detail shows spaces separated by crystalline material. Didactic diagram, not to scale.
What you observe — Some internal areas resemble a feather, a net, or a fingerprint. They can be made up of numerous tiny cavities distributed over a plane. What it means — During geological processes, a fracture can partially close through recrystallization and retain small cavities with fluids. This is a natural healing process; it is not equivalent to commercial filling with oil or resin. The word feather describes an appearance and does not confirm on its own that the entire fracture is healed. For your purchase — Observe how much the veil affects transparency and whether it connects with other fractures. An attractive pattern does not allow declaring the stone to be risk-free.
Helpful question: Is that veil healed, or is there an open fissure reaching the surface?
Cross-sectional comparison: localized crack and extended fracture. The drawing explains geometric differences; it does not assign a safety level. Educational diagram, not to scale.
What to look for — A crack is a fracture; it may appear as a bright line when it reflects light. Some are localized, while others extend deeply or run through a significant part of the gem. What it means — Its effect depends on depth, size, orientation, location, and connection to the surface. An opening near a corner, edge, or setting area deserves special attention. Scratch hardness is not the same as resistance to impact. For your purchase — Ask for an assessment of the stone's condition and the intended setting. A front-facing photograph does not fully show the depth of a fracture, nor does it allow for measuring its stability.
Helpful question: Are there fractures that compromise a corner or the security of the setting?
What you observe — Inside, isolated or grouped crystals may appear: some metallic, like pyrite; others transparent or whitish. What it means — These are minerals incorporated during the gem's formation. Their shape and optical behavior assist in the study; identifying the exact species may require a laboratory. A golden flash does not necessarily mean there is gold. For your purchase — Look at the stone from a normal distance and then under magnification. The size, contrast, and location of the crystal help to understand its visual effect; its presence alone does not prove origin or superior quality.
Helpful question: Is that crystal identified in the report, or is it a visual interpretation?
On the left, an internal cavity with a crystalline shape; on the right, a cavity open to the surface. These are different situations. Diagram for educational purposes, not to scale.
What you observe — A geometric outline inside the stone does not always correspond to a solid mineral. A negative crystal is a cavity with faces controlled by the crystal structure of the host mineral; it can contain fluids. What it means — It is important to distinguish between a solid inclusion, an internal cavity, and a hole open to the surface. Cavities can also be left by the loss or dissolution of an included mineral: not all cavities have the same origin. For your purchase — If a hole reaches the surface, ask about its size, location, and relationship to the setting. Do not attempt to test it by inserting tools or applying chemical products.
Helpful question: Is it a closed internal cavity, or does it have an opening to the outside?
Parallel tubes, growth lines, and a simplified spiral relief. These are independent examples gathered for educational purposes. Educational diagram, not to scale.
What you observe — Parallel lines, thin tubes, and certain reliefs can record how the crystal grew. By changing the lighting or the viewing angle, some patterns become visible while others disappear. What it means — Growth tubes can align with the crystal's axis. Not all lines are tubes: there are also growth boundaries and other internal features. In particular cases, more complex structures are observed, even with a spiral appearance. For your purchase — Request images from more than one angle. A single reflection does not allow for a reliable distinction between a growth mark, a reflected edge, and a fissure.
Helpful question: Can we observe that pattern by rotating the stone and changing the light?
Independent morphologies: elongated crystals, platelets, and dark particles. The diagram does not identify countries or a specific sample. Educational diagram, not to scale.
What you observe — Some inclusions are needle-shaped; others look like plates or small dark dots. Examples described in emeralds include amphiboles, micas, and mineral oxides. What it means — Tremolite is an example of an amphibole that can form elongated crystals; micas can appear as platelets. These features are studied in conjunction with other observations; they do not function as an automatic country label. For your purchase — A needle is not enough to claim that a gem is African, nor is a plate enough to assign it to Brazil. The report must state the scope of the identification and, where applicable, the opinion of origin.
Helpful question: What evidence supports the declared origin of this stone?
Shop wisely
A good choice considers the entire stone: its appearance, its structure, the disclosed treatments, and the accompanying information.
01
Look at the gemstone as a whole. Ask for photos and videos of the specific gemstone from a normal distance, in neutral light, and from several angles. Close-ups should only complement that view.
02
Check the transparency. Ask yourself how much the inclusions interfere with the passage of light and the appearance you are looking for.
03
Ask about resistance. Request a review of open cracks, corners, edges, and compatibility with the setting and the intended use.
04
Clarify the treatments. Get available information about oil, resin, or other enhancements, as well as care instructions, in writing.
05
Read the scope of the report. Verify identification, number, measurements, and weight. Distinguish between gemological identification, opinion of origin, and commercial documentation.
06
Compare the gemstone as a whole. Evaluate color, transparency, cut, size, treatments, documentation, and price. Counting inclusions is not enough to make a choice.