Mahenge Spinel or a Synthetic

[Lovinggems]

I have a Mahenge Spinel, I never had it checked since I don't have a good lab near me and the vendor is reputable. I recently sent it for repair, we talked about how clean the spinel is. Here's a few photos of the inclusion in the Spinel, I am going to send it to AGL, I just want to post it here and see if any knowledgeable members may have some comments on the inclusion while I wait for it come back so I can ship it off.

 

[T L]

They look like negative crystal inclusions, which to me, are indicative of a natural stone. I actually look for those when I buy spinels.

 

[minousbijoux]

LG: it amazes me that you could actually photograph the inclusions - that is pretty impressive.

 

[RockHugger]

It's natural all right!

 

[VapidLapid]

I'm down with the negative crystal inclusion too. And also agree with minous, amazing how you photographed these!

 

[Pandora II]

I'd be happy with those - to be honest I would pass on the lab report as well. You don't find inclusions like those in synthetic spinel.

 

[Lovinggems]

Thank you everyone, I'm breathing a huge sigh of relief. I didn't take these fantastic photos, one of the lovely gem cutter took these for me. I think it's the only inclusion in the spinel, it look very much like coloured rock crystal and too good to be true, hence the suspicion. I may get a fasttrack report regardless because I wouldn't be able to do this easily where I live, might be good for later down the track.

On a side note the fantastic cutter managed to fix it and only took 0.02 ct off the spinel, so it's still a 2.00ct stone.

 

[m76steve]

ive got a spinel with similar inclusions & they do verify the real stuff-u dont see these inclusions in the faux spinel as yet-i can only bet there are techs out there who are trying to fool mother nature & the buyers with something new to copy-steve...

 

[chrono]

Great photography! I’m relieved to see the negative crystal too as a sign of it being real because otherwise, your Mahenge looks incredibly clean.

 

[Lovinggems]

Thank you m76steve and chrono for confirming.

 

[minousbijoux]

So now I'm really curious - recently someone (TL, perhaps?) said to watch out for air bubbles, as they are often associated with synthetic spinel. How are these negative inclusions different from bubbles? They look like bubbles to me - what are the factors which differentiate them, because right now I'm having a little panic attack that my spinel has a small streak of bubbles and must obviously be a fake

 

[T L]

So now I'm really curious - recently someone (TL, perhaps?) said to watch out for air bubbles, as they are often associated with synthetic spinel. How are these negative inclusions different from bubbles? They look like bubbles to me - what are the factors which differentiate them, because right now I'm having a little panic attack that my spinel has a small streak of bubbles and must obviously be a fake

I worry about very round spherical bubbles, not ones with flat planes that look like a crystal.

 

[minousbijoux]

But don't those looks like round bubbles in the middle with little wing-like things on either side (vivid imagination, I know)? kind of like this (I hope this works):

<o>

 

[T L]

But don't those looks like round bubbles in the middle with little wing-like things on either side (vivid imagination, I know)? kind of like this (I hope this works):

<o>

Bubbles do not always mean synthetic or imitation. However, I do understand your concern.

If the OP is worried, they should send it to a lab for confirmation.

 

[m76steve]

for ur peace of mind if u think these are bubbles that might b found in glass have the spinel appraised-u dont need a lab to do this-a good appraiser can define a yea or nea to real or faux spinel-im showing my spinel that has at least 5 grow crystals that r easily id'able under a scope or loop-even with my experence i say u have the real stuff-steve...