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Examining Rock Crystal Quartz from Baluchistan, Pakistan this week. Quartz from this area is prone to the formation of syngenetic primary and secondary fluid inclusions. These fluid inclusions can be two-phase, three-phase or even multi-phase, depending on their contents. The two main immiscible liquids present in these fluid inclusions are natural petroleum, which is yellowish-brownish in color, and some sort of colorless aqueous solution-plain water. In some negative crystals, gas bubbles may also be found. These are mostly methane gas bubbles. The black spotty inclusions are solid inclusions of bituminous material.
What we see in the photomicrographs is a combination of the above mentioned. Several two/three phase-multiphase fluid inclusions viewed under dark-field illumination and then under long wave ultraviolet. The natural petroleum has a very strong reaction to LWUV radiation and displays a bright and glowing bluish green fluorescence. The more petroleum trapped in a negative crystal, the brighter the glow. Similarly, the less amount of petroleum there is, the weaker the reaction. Strong blue reaction is also commonly seen in petroleum quartz. The watery solution does not display any reaction to LWUV.
The contrasting display of these inclusions when viewed under two different illumination environments adds to their alluring nature and makes the process of examining them all the more worthwhile.
Sheikh Fahad Abbas – GIA GG, AJP
Founder & Owner – Gemystique®
