Whenever I talk to people about rainbow inclusions, my mind drifts back to a very specific moment in time. I’m  curled up in front of our old tube TV (yep, not YouTube — I mean the big ol’ boxy TV with a tube inside), on a rainy school holiday afternoon in autumn. The kind of day that smells of damp leaves and feels like magic. And on the screen? Kermit the Frog, singing The Rainbow Connection.

Fitting, really — because more often than not, rainy days are followed by rainbows. And in the world of crystals, rainbows can be found not only in the sky but within the stone itself.

🌈 What Are Rainbow Inclusions?

You might’ve noticed beautiful flashes of colour dancing inside certain crystals — often Quartz, Calcite, Fluorite, and even some Beryl and other crystals. These magical little rainbows aren’t just decorative quirks. They’re called rainbow inclusions.

But first, what’s an inclusion?

Inclusions are materials (like gas, liquid, or even other minerals) that get trapped inside a crystal as it forms.
They’re like nature’s fingerprints — telling the story of the crystal’s creation.

In the case of rainbow inclusions, things get especially enchanting.

✨ How Do Rainbow Inclusions Happen?

When a crystal like Quartz forms, it can sometimes develop tiny internal fractures — hairline cracks inside the stone, often called cleavage planes. These aren’t always visible from the outside.

When light hits these internal fractures, it bends, bounces, and splits in a process called light interference (just like sunlight hitting a soap bubble or an oil slick). The result? A rainbow trapped within the crystal.

🌈 Rainbow inclusions are caused by light reflecting and refracting through tiny internal cracks or stress lines inside a crystal.

While most commonly seen in Quartz, you can also spot these beauties in Calcite, Fluorite, and other transparent to translucent stones.

💎 Why Do We Love Rainbow Inclusions?

Aside from being utterly mesmerising, rainbow inclusions offer a unique and personal feature to each crystal. No two are ever quite the same. They're like secret worlds waiting to be discovered — often only visible when the light hits just right.

🌈 Metaphysical Properties of Rainbow Inclusions

If you’re into the metaphysical and energetic side of crystals, rainbow inclusions carry some truly special symbolism and energy:

1. Joy & Upliftment
   – Rainbows represent hope, happiness, and light after the storm.
   – Crystals with rainbows are thought to lift the spirit and bring bright, healing energy.

2. Connection to Higher Realms
   – Many believe these inclusions help open doors to angelic guidance, spirit realms, and divine wisdom.
   – Beautiful for meditation or spiritual growth.

3. Aura Cleansing & Chakra Alignment
   – The full colour spectrum links to all chakras, some say helping to align and cleanse your energy field.

4. Inner Child & Playfulness
   – Rainbows remind us to stay curious, joyful, and connected to wonder, just like when we were kids.

🌈 A Personal Rainbow Journey

Over 30 years ago, when I worked for my dad (a mineral dealer), one of my jobs was to spot the rainbows in crystals. This wasn’t just for fun — it helped with labelling and helped customers understand what made each piece unique.

These days, I still spot rainbows — but more often through the lens of my camera when photographing crystals for the Blissful Things website. It’s a joy that never fades.

🌧️ What About You?

Next time you’re stuck inside on a rainy day, why not go rainbow hunting? Take a look at your crystal collection — whether it’s tumbled stones or statement pieces — and see what hidden treasures you might find.

You might just make your own rainbow connection. 😉

La-da-da, de-da-da-do…
La-da-da-da-da-de-da-do…La-da-da, de-da-da-do…