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.

A trapiche pattern shines in this untreated sapphire from Rubyvale, Australia.
Undissolved rutile silk glitters in this untreated sapphire from Rubyvale, Austrlia.
“Punsiri” zoning in a heated blue sapphire.
An iridescent healed fissure demonstrates the underlying atomic symmetry, suggesting this formed along a pyramid or rhombohedron face.
Iridescent fingerprint in a sapphire. The rectangular healing pattern suggests that this fingerprint lies parallel to a prism face.
“Deep” titanium-diffused preform sliced open andn polished to reveal the depth of color penetration. Note that much of the color layer will be removed during polishing. Despite claims by manufacturers, the so-called “deep diffusion” process showed no more color penetration than that claimed in the original Linde patents, i.e. up to 0.50 mm.
Internal diffusion caused by the heat treatment of a titanium-bearing crystal in a Malawi sapphire.
Internal diffusion caused by heat treatment of a titanium-bearing crystal causes the blue color concentration in this Malawi sapphire.
This pale sapphire has been soaked in blue dye to deepen its color. Under the microscope one can clearly see the blue stains in the fissures.
An iridescent fissure surrounds a small crystal in this basaltic sapphire from Bo Ploi, Thailand. When an included crystal such as this is heated, it expands, producing pressure on the host. The easiest release of that pressure is generally in the basal plane, producing a flat “discoid” fissure such as this.
Polysynthetic twinning in this pink sapphire from Vietnam creates an explosion of color when viewed between crossed polars.
A delicate fingerprint decorates the interior of this blue sapphire from Madagascar. This represents a secondary inclusion, one that formed via the healing of a fissure after the host gem had formed. Its undamaged nature demonstrates that this stone has not been subjected to high-temperature heat treatment.

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.