Sapphire Inclusions

First Published: 7 September 2026

Sapphire Inclusions

Explore sapphire inclusions in Hyperion, the Lotus Gemology inclusion database. Hyperion contains photomicrographs of inclusions and internal features in natural sapphire, documented with information on geographic origin, treatment, lighting conditions, field of view, photographer and published references.

This wound in a sapphire from Sri Lanka has metamorphosed over time into the spectacularly iridescent fingerprint inclusion we see here. Such healed fissures display evidence of the underlying atomic symmetry.
These “folded” fingerprints that appear like little pleats or creases are thought to be an indication of Burmese origin in sapphire.
The zoned texture clouds in this Madagascar sapphire are associated with colorless areas, while the deepest blue areas are relatively free of these particle clouds.
Zircon crystals like these are a common feature in Madagascar sapphire.
Ancient fluids trapped in a healed fissure within a Sri Lankan sapphire. Some time after the crystal grew a fissure developed. Later fluids dissolved the walls of the fissure and redeposited corundum, healing the fissure closed. Sri Lankan sapphires often display the most beautiful examples in the sapphire world.
A small crystal with an iridescent thin-film decrepitation halo surrounding it. When a crystal is heated (either by a magma or artificially by human intervention), it expands. Tension is often relieved by a fissure in the weakest direction, the basal plane.
A small crystal with an iridescent thin-film decrepitation halo surrounding it. When a crystal is heated (either by a magma or artificially by human intervention), it expands. Tension is often relieved by a fissure in the weakest direction, the basal plane.
Sharp angular growth zoning defined by milky “texture” clouds. These texture clouds are composed of submicroscopic titanium-rich exsolved particles. Where they form, the gem is decolorized, as the titanium is no longer available to produce color. This phenomena was named “chromophore cannibalization” by photomicropgrapher John Koivula. Areas where the clouds are absent are a deep blue color.
Sharp angular growth zoning defined by milky “texture” clouds. These texture clouds are composed of submicroscopic titanium-rich exsolved particles. Where they form, the gem is decolorized, as the titanium is no longer available to produce color. This phenomena was named “chromophore cannibalization” by photomicropgrapher John Koivula. Areas where the clouds are absent are a deep blue color.
Extremely sharp angular growth zoning in a Madagascar sapphire. At times the zoning is so sharp, it created iridescence via diffraction of visible light.
Extremely sharp angular growth zoning in a Madagascar sapphire. At times the zoning is so sharp, it created iridescence via diffraction of visible light. This is the same position, but using light field illumination.
Extremely sharp angular growth zoning in a Madagascar sapphire. At times the zoning is so sharp, it created iridescence via diffraction of visible light.

Search the Complete Hyperion Database

Sapphire inclusions may include mineral crystals, rutile silk, healed fissures, fluid inclusions, negative crystals, color zoning and other features formed during or after crystal growth. Such features are important to gemologists because they can provide evidence useful in identifying sapphire, understanding its geological history, recognizing treatment and, in some cases, determining geographic origin.

Sapphire Inclusion Photomicrographs

The Hyperion sapphire gallery includes microscopic features found in sapphires from major deposits around the world. Each entry is accompanied by descriptive information and, where available, references to the gemological literature.

What Inclusions Can Reveal About Sapphire

Inclusions are an important part of sapphire identification. Their form, composition, orientation and alteration can help gemologists distinguish natural sapphire from synthetic material, recognize evidence of heat treatment, and study the geological environment in which the sapphire formed.

Hyperion combines inclusion photomicrography with supporting gemological information so that individual features can be compared with documented examples from known sapphire deposits.

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.