Fluid inclusions in crystals provide a valuable insight into the nature and origin of ancient mineral‐forming fluids. Fluid inclusions are established geothermometers and geobarometers, but their use as chemical indicators has in the past been hampered by their extremely small size. With the rapid development of a range of modern instrumental microanalytical techniques it is becoming increasingly possible to determine in detail the compositions of various phases present within minute inclusions down to the parts‐per‐million