Jamey Swisher's Photo Gallery
uranopyrocholore crystals in a sapphire
Inclusion of a crystal inside of a sapphire that was damaged during heat treatment.The uranopyrocholore crystals seen in this image are almost a diagnostic indicator that this sapphire came from the Pailin region. The veils, damaged appearance of the uranopyrocholore crystals, and inclusions around the crystals are the diagnostic give away that the stone was at least heated as a treatment.
This image was taken at approximately 60:1 ratio(60x magnification) through a microscope. The entire sapphire is 5x3mm in size. Not possible to measure the inclusions, sorry.