Ceylon Sapphire Inclusions
Explore Ceylon sapphire inclusions in Hyperion, the Lotus Gemology inclusion database. Hyperion contains photomicrographs of inclusions and internal features in natural sapphires from Sri Lanka (Ceylon), documented with information on treatment, lighting conditions, field of view, photographer and published references.
This image clearly illustrates what master photomicrographer John Koivula has termed “chromophore cannibalization.” As titanium is drawn out of solid solution to form exsolved rutile silk, the area in the vicinity is decolorized, losing its blue color. This is a natural process and is the reverse of “internal diffusion,” where heat treatment sends the titanium back into solution, creating blue clouds or “inkspots” around the rutile remnants.
Natural Sapphire •
Sri Lanka (Ceylon) •
Enhancements:
None Detected (None) •
Lighting Conditions:
Dark Field
Photographer:
Richard W. Hughes •
Image Number:
A-001-3194-2
Koivula, J.I. (1987) Internal diffusion. Journal of Gemmology, Vol. 20, No. 7/8, pp. 474–477; RWHL*.
Gübelin, E.J. and Koivula, J.I. (2005) Photoatlas of Inclusions in Gemstones, Volume 3. Basel, Switzerland, Opinio Publishers, 672 pp.; RWHL*.
This image clearly illustrates what master photomicrographer John Koivula has termed “chromophore cannibalization.” As titanium is drawn out of solid solution to form exsolved rutile silk, the area in the vicinity is decolorized, losing its blue color. This is a natural process and is the reverse of “internal diffusion,” where heat treatment sends the titanium back into solution, creating blue clouds or “inkspots” around the rutile remnants.
Natural Sapphire •
Sri Lanka (Ceylon) •
Enhancements:
None Detected (None) •
Lighting Conditions:
Dark Field
Photographer:
Richard W. Hughes •
Image Number:
A-001-3194-1
Koivula, J.I. (1987) Internal diffusion. Journal of Gemmology, Vol. 20, No. 7/8, pp. 474–477; RWHL*.
Gübelin, E.J. and Koivula, J.I. (2005) Photoatlas of Inclusions in Gemstones, Volume 3. Basel, Switzerland, Opinio Publishers, 672 pp.; RWHL*.
Melted crystals with a frosted surface, surrounded by heat-altered fingerprints in a heat-treated sapphire from Sri Lanka. Note the hexagonal symmetry of the fingerprint, which shows that it lies in the basal plane.
Natural Sapphire •
Sri Lanka (Ceylon) •
Enhancements:
Heat (H) •
Lighting Conditions:
Dark Field + Oblique Fiber Optic
Photographer:
E. Billie Hughes •
Image Number:
A-001-3197-2
Hughes, R.W. (1997) Ruby & Sapphire. Boulder, CO, RWH Publishing, 512 pp.; RWHL*.
A heat-altered fingerprint at the culet of a heat-treated sapphire from Sri Lanka. Note the small microfractures and discoids that result from explosion of the individual negative crystal channels that make up the fingerprint.
Natural Sapphire •
Sri Lanka (Ceylon) •
Enhancements:
Heat (H) •
Lighting Conditions:
Dark Field
Photographer:
Richard W. Hughes •
Image Number:
A-001-3197-1
Hughes, R.W. (1997) Ruby & Sapphire. Boulder, CO, RWH Publishing, 512 pp.; RWHL*.
A melted crystal surrounded by an unusual bronze discoid with a glassy surface. This shiny, glassy appearance provides evidence that the stone was heated.
Natural Sapphire •
Sri Lanka (Ceylon) •
Enhancements:
Heat (H) •
Lighting Conditions:
Fiber Optic: Diffuse Oblique
Photographer:
E. Billie Hughes •
Image Number:
A-001-3103-1
Crowningshield, R. and Nassau, K. (1981) The heat and diffusion treatment of natural and synthetic sapphires. Journal of Gemmology, Vol. 17, No. 8, Oct., pp. 528–541; RWHL*.
Nassau, K. (1981) Heat treating ruby and sapphire: Technical aspects. Gems & Gemology, Vol. 17, No. 3, pp. 121–131; RWHL*.
A rocket-shaped crystal takes flight within this sapphire from Sri Lanka.
Natural Sapphire •
Sri Lanka (Ceylon) •
Enhancements:
None Detected (None) •
Lighting Conditions:
Dark Field + Oblique Fiber Optic
Photographer:
E. Billie Hughes •
Image Number:
A-001-3089-2
Hughes, R.W. (1997) Ruby & Sapphire. Boulder, CO, RWH Publishing, 512 pp.; RWHL*.
Gübelin, E.J. and Koivula, J.I. (2005) Photoatlas of Inclusions in Gemstones, Volume 3. Basel, Switzerland, Opinio Publishers, 672 pp.; RWHL*.
A large birefringent missile takes flight within this sapphire from Sri Lanka.
Natural Sapphire •
Sri Lanka (Ceylon) •
Enhancements:
None Detected (None) •
Lighting Conditions:
Diffuse Light Field + Crossed Polars
Photographer:
Richard W. Hughes •
Image Number:
A-001-3089-1
Hughes, R.W. (1997) Ruby & Sapphire. Boulder, CO, RWH Publishing, 512 pp.; RWHL*.
Gübelin, E.J. and Koivula, J.I. (2005) Photoatlas of Inclusions in Gemstones, Volume 3. Basel, Switzerland, Opinio Publishers, 672 pp.; RWHL*.
Negative crystals in sapphires from Sri Lanka frequently contain trapped daughter crystals within their liquid carbon dioxide fillings. Hexagonal graphite flakes are common, as are slender diaspore needles. In this image, the stone is examined between parallel polars and as it is turned, the tiny diaspore needles become iridescent, thus demonstrating their doubly refractive solid nature.
Natural Sapphire •
Sri Lanka (Ceylon) •
Enhancements:
None Detected (None) •
Lighting Conditions:
Diffuse Light Field + Parallel Polars
Photographer:
Richard W. Hughes •
Image Number:
A-001-3085-1
Koivula, J.I. (1986) Carbon dioxide fluid inclusions as proof of natural-colored corundum. Gems & Gemology, Vol. 22, No. 3, pp. 152–155; RWHL*.
299 Total Images
Results: 181 – 192 | Page 16 of 25 Pages
Search the Complete Hyperion Database
Ceylon sapphire inclusions may include mineral crystals, rutile silk, healed fissures, fluid inclusions, negative crystals, growth features and other internal features formed during or after crystal growth. Such features are important to gemologists because they can provide evidence useful in identifying sapphire and evaluating a possible Sri Lankan origin.
Ceylon Sapphire Inclusion Photomicrographs
The Hyperion Ceylon sapphire gallery includes microscopic features documented in sapphires from Sri Lanka (Ceylon). Each entry is accompanied by descriptive information and, where available, references to the gemological literature.
What Inclusions Can Reveal About Ceylon Sapphire
Inclusions are an important part of geographic origin determination in sapphire. Their form, composition, orientation and associations can provide evidence that, when considered together with other gemological properties, may support or contradict a Sri Lankan origin.
Hyperion combines inclusion photomicrography with supporting gemological information so that individual features can be compared with documented examples from Ceylon sapphires.
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.
