Triplite in Beryl
Among our Lotus Gemology lab clients and the gem trade as a whole, inclusions have often been seen as negative features. However, people are starting to become more interested in inclusions and see them as unique characteristics rather than mere imperfections.
One such client brought us a colorless beryl with a large brownish orange crystal near the culet (see above), hoping to learn the inclusion’s identity. Raman microscopy revealed it to be triplite. Triplite, (Mn,Fe)2PO4(F,OH), is a mineral named for the Greek triplos, or triple, which refers to its three directions of cleavage. While some triplites have been faceted, they are quite rare both as a mineral and as a gem material. The specimen’s owner stated that the beryl came from Pakistan. As triplite is known to be found in Pakistan, this is certainly a possibility. The owner was happy to learn that his gem contained a relatively rare mineral.
We are excited to see these examples of inclusions being viewed as points of interest within a gem.
