Micro-WorldGems & Gemology, Fall 2019, Vol. 55, No. 3

Rain Cloud in Alexandrite

Britni LeCroy

This inclusion scene resembles a rain cloud.
An alexandrite seen with fine milky particles and bands of silk resembling a rain cloud. Photomicrograph by Britni LeCroy; field of view 2.90 mm.

An example of nature imitating nature was seen in a 0.73 ct faceted alexandrite showcasing an inclusion reminiscent of a rain cloud (see above). The “cloud” was composed of white particles oriented as parallel bands that displayed a cloud-like silhouette when viewed at an angle. The “rain” was composed of fine oriented reflective needles commonly referred to as silk. Fiber-optic lighting allowed for a concentration of white light to be seen under the cloud, creating an appearance of lightning. The inclusion scene observed in this gem is an interesting novelty that any gemologist can appreciate.

Britni LeCroy is a staff gemologist at GIA in Carlsbad, California.

You Might Also Like

YMAL AJP
Discover GIA's New Campus in London
Learn About NextGem
GIA NextGem™ Diamond Training for Retail
Explore GIA Laboratory Promotional Offers
Explore GIA Laboratory Promotional Offers
Shop the GIA Store
Shop the GIA Store