Through this book, discover the fascinating world of gemstones and gemmology. With 503 pages and more than 1,000 photographs taken from inside the stones, it reveals their deepest secrets. The result of five years of research and microphotography, it offers an immersion into a colourful universe blending geology, gemmology, and a touch of artistic vision. Thanks to the contribution of Dr. Françoise Besset, geologist, the reader will learn how crystals form, where their deposits are found, and discover many stories and anecdotes about exceptional gemstones. Inclusions bear witness to ancient phenomena, sometimes dating back billions of years, long before life existed on Earth. Observing them is like travelling back in time through the history of our planet. It also makes it possible to identify crystals so rare and beautiful that they are destined to adorn the finest jewels. From the Hellenistic period to the maharajas, kings, and great contemporary designers, gemstones have always fascinated humankind. Passionate about gemmology, my attention has long been drawn to inclusions and their observation under the microscope. Some are so remarkable that they go beyond the boundaries of identification to reach a purely artistic dimension. It is both admiration for the wonders of nature and a deep interest in science that inspired this project.

An important part of this work involved gathering a wide variety of minerals from Madagascar to Pakistan, from Brazil to Colombia, as well as from Sri Lanka and China. The goal was to present a diversity of inclusions and create a comprehensive guide to gemstone identification. The microscope is an instrument accessible to everyone; with a 40x magnification and various lighting techniques, it is possible to observe nearly all the inclusions shown in this book and draw reliable conclusions. However, reading this work requires prior knowledge of gemmology and mineralogy.

In the introductory section, Dr. Françoise Besset explains the mechanisms that lead to crystal formation—events that often exceed imagination, such as the expulsion of diamonds from deep within the Earth by lavas erupting at supersonic speeds. With her ability to describe complex phenomena in clear and simple terms, she guides the reader through the world of geology and minerals, enriched with anecdotes and stories about extraordinary gems.

Special thanks go to Antonio Miglioli, a talented Italian photographer, whose high-quality stacked photographs bring remarkable visual depth to this work.

The aim of this book is to provide gemmologists of intermediate to advanced level with a practical reference guide, bringing together a large number of photographs, diagrams, and real-case examples, designed to serve as a true working tool.