Suspended particles/geometry in translucent substances?

[DriesV]

Anyone knows how to make 'suspended particles/geometry' show through a translucent substance when those particles are not deep within the substance?
I attached some typical examples.

When I put geometry (surfaces, solids) just underneath the outer surfaces of a translucent object (Translucent shader), I cannot get it to show through. No matter how close I put the geometry to the surface, or how high I set the transluceny slider.

I tried to mimic the effect by using the advanced material for the translucent object, but without satisfactory results.

What am I doing wrong? Can this be done in KeyShot?

Dries