gems-inclusions

Classification of fluid inclusions by time of entrapment, relative to the host crystal

Obviously, unlike solid inclusions, fluid inclusions cannot be formed before crystallization of the host mineral. They can only appear during crystallization (primary and pseudosecondary fluid inclusions) or after the crystal has been formed, in healed fractures (secondary fluid inclusions).

The figure below is a schematic representation of these three types of inclusions. They are considered more in depth in further sections.

Schematic representation of three types of fluid inclusions, classified by their time of entrapment, relative to the host crystal.