Title: Three-Phase Inclusions in Emerald and Their Impact on Origin Determination
Abstract: Until now, the observation of three-phase inclusions in emeralds has been considered a potential indicator of Colombian origin.Nevertheless, emeralds from Afghanistan (Panjshir Valley), China (Davdar), and Zambia (Kafubu and a new deposit at Musakashi) may contain three-phase inclusions resembling those often found in specimens from Colombian deposits (Muzo, Chivor, La Pita, Coscuez, and Peñas Blancas).This article presents detailed photomicrographs of samples from these localities, with a focus on their multiphase inclusions.Also investigated are spectroscopic features and trace-element data.For the gemologist studying the origin of emeralds hosting three-phase inclusions, a powerful set of tools to aid in this determination comes from the combination of detailed microscopic examination, UV-Vis-NIR and FTIR spectroscopy, and LA-ICP-MS trace-element analysis.