Inclusions in transparent gem rhodonite from Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia

Abstract

Solid, vapor, and fluid inclusions in transparent gem rhodonite crystal from Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia, have been identified for the first time using Raman spectroscopy and gemological/petrographic techniques. Among the solid inclusions are sphalerite, galena, quartz, and fluorite. The rhodonite also contained hollow needle-like tubes and negative rhodonite crystals. Three-phase inclusions were found to contain a saline liquid, a gaseous mixture of nitrogen (N2) and methane (CH4), and ilmenite crystals. © 2005 Gemological Institute of America.