page_title: Inclusion (mineral)
section_title: Gemology
hierarchical_section_title: Inclusion (mineral) / Gemology
caption_attribution_description: English: An insect being housed by the host material, Amber, has gas bubbles protruding from its thorax and head.
context_page_description: In mineralogy, an inclusion is any material that is trapped inside a mineral during its formation. In gemology, an inclusion is a characteristic enclosed within a gemstone, or reaching its surface from the interior.
  According to Hutton's law of inclusions, fragments included in a host rock are older than the host rock itself.
context_section_description: Inclusions are one of the most important factors when it comes to gem valuation. In many gemstones, such as diamonds, inclusions affect the clarity of the gem, diminishing the value. In some gems, however, such as star sapphires, the inclusion actually increases the value of the gem.
  Many colored gemstones are expected to have inclusions, and the inclusions do not greatly affect the stone's value. Colored gemstones are categorized into three types as follows:
  Type I colored gems include gems with very little or no inclusions. They include aquamarines, topaz and zircon.
  Type II colored gems include those that often have a few inclusions. They include sapphire, ruby, garnet and spinel.
  Type III colored gems include those that almost always have inclusions. Gems in this category include emerald and tourmaline.
caption: An insect encased in amber, has gas bubbles protruding from its thorax and head.
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