Solid inclusions

Calcite (Sources A, B, C) (CaCO3)

Calcite crystals; picture taken from polaroid filter. 66x

The occurrence of calcite has already been described. It has been found in all the sapphires from different sources (A to C). No REE-elements (estimated level of detection is 0.2-0.5 wt-%) were detected. Additional microprobe analyses are necessary.

Quartz (Source C) (SiO2)

In one sample of source C, a quartz inclusion was discovered alongside spinel. This inclusion is a singular observation, which could not be verified in other sapphires from other Madagascan sources. Quartz has also been detected in ruby from the famous mines of Luc Yen (Northern Vietnam) (Dele-Dubois et al., 1993). These rubies were formed in veins which are situated in marbles.