Burmese Star Ruby Inclusions

First Published: 7 September 2026

Burmese Star Ruby Inclusions

Explore Burmese star ruby inclusions in Hyperion, the Lotus Gemology inclusion database. Hyperion contains photomicrographs of inclusions and internal features in natural star rubies from Myanmar (Burma), documented with information on treatment, lighting conditions, field of view, photographer and published references.

This star ruby is ready for its close-up. When cut in the right manner, some rubies and sapphires with rutile silk inclusions can display a “star,” a phenomenon known as asterism.
This round gas bubble is suspended in a small cavity on a Burmese ruby which has some filler substance (this could be resin or oil). Oil is often used to mask the appearance of fissures and cavities.
A classic inclusion scene in a star ruby from Myanmar’s Mogok Stone Tract. Here we can see severely elongated negative crystals against a backdrop of undissolved rutile silk.
The secret silken world of this untreated ruby from Burma’s Mogok Stone Tract is revealed with overhead lighting that reflects off of the undissolved rutile silk. The lack of breakdown proves that the gem has not been subjected to high-temperature heat treatment.
The secret silken world of this untreated ruby from Burma’s Mogok Stone Tract is revealed with overhead lighting that reflects off of the undissolved rutile silk. The lack of breakdown proves that the gem has not been subjected to high-temperature heat treatment.
A dense network of short rutiles is a characteristic feature of many rubies from Burma’s Mogok Stone Tract.
Knife-shaped rutile needles are a classic internal feature of unheated rubies from Myanmar’s Mogok Stone Tract.
Primary rutile crystals dance with transparent colorless partners in this ruby from Myanmar’s Mogok Stone Tract.
Primary rutile crystals dance with transparent colorless partners in this ruby from Myanmar’s Mogok Stone Tract.
A large transparent birefringent crystal was trapped in this ruby from Burma’s Mogok Stone Tract.
Rubies from Myanmar’s Mogok region often display exsolved rutile silk, along with foreign crystals. This is a fine example.
Rutile silk and a small crystal paint a pretty picture in this star ruby from Mogok.

Search the Complete Hyperion Database

Burmese star ruby inclusions may include oriented rutile silk, mineral crystals, healed fissures, fluid inclusions, growth zoning and other features formed during or after crystal growth. Of particular importance are oriented inclusions capable of producing asterism when the stone is cut with the appropriate orientation.

Burmese Star Ruby Inclusion Photomicrographs

The Hyperion Burmese star ruby gallery includes microscopic features documented in natural star rubies from Myanmar (Burma). Each entry is accompanied by descriptive information and, where available, references to the gemological literature.

What Inclusions Can Reveal About Burmese Star Ruby

Inclusions are fundamental to the study of star ruby because asterism results from light reflected by oriented internal features. Their form, composition, orientation and associations can also provide evidence that, when considered together with other gemological properties, may support or contradict a Burmese origin.

Hyperion combines inclusion photomicrography with supporting gemological information so that individual features can be compared with documented examples from Burmese star rubies.

About Hyperion

Hyperion is the Lotus Gemology searchable inclusion database. It allows users to browse gemstone inclusions by gem type, geographic origin, treatment and keyword.