Ceylon Sapphire Inclusions

First Published: 7 September 2026

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.

A combination of dark field and overhead lighting was used to photograph this scene in a violet sapphire from Sri Lanka, which shows two large mica plates and smaller rounded zircon crystals. The undamaged state of the mica reveals that this sapphire has not been subjected to heat treatment.
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 immediate vicinity is decolorized, losing its blue color.
Chalky shortwave fluorescence is characteristic of heated sapphire.
A sharply zoned angular particle cloud creates a striking geometric shape next to a large glassy discoid in this heated Sri Lanka sapphire.
A beautiful negative crystal seems to float across a fingerprint in this untreated Sri Lanka sapphire.
Dense “parquet” style zoned clouds in an untreated Sri Lanka sapphire.
Dense “parquet” style zoned clouds in an untreated Sri Lanka sapphire.
Oblique fiber-optic illumination reveals lovely iridescence in this secondary liquid inclusion in an untreated sapphire from Sri Lanka.
Unidentified sold crystals in a blue-violet sapphire from Sri Lanka. Careful examination shows that the larger crystal contains its own fingerprint inclusions.
In this flattened negative crystal in a Sri Lankan padparadscha sapphire, multiple phases can be found, including both liquid and gaseous carbon dioxide and a diaspore needle. Because diaspore’s refractive index (nα = 1.682–1.706 nβ = 1.705–1.725 nγ = 1.730–1.752) is so close to corundum (1.762–1.770) the diaspore needle almost disappears into the sapphire, appearing like a narrow indentation into the negative crystal. Liquid carbon dioxide becomes a gas at a fairly low temperature, with just the heat of the microscope causing the bubble to disappear. Intact negative crystals such as this are positive proof that the specimen has not been heat treated.
In this flattened negative crystal in a Sri Lankan padparadscha sapphire, multiple phases can be found, including both liquid and gaseous carbon dioxide and a diaspore needle. Because diaspore’s refractive index (nα = 1.682–1.706 nβ = 1.705–1.725 nγ = 1.730–1.752) is so close to corundum (1.762–1.770) the diaspore needle almost disappears into the sapphire, appearing like a narrow indentation into the negative crystal. Liquid carbon dioxide becomes a gas at a fairly low temperature, with just the heat of the microscope causing the bubble to disappear. Intact negative crystals such as this are positive proof that the specimen has not been heat treated.
In this sapphire from Sri Lanka, evidence of high temperature heat treatment can be found in this moiré-patterned fingerprint. The once-lovely lacy pattern of liquid droplets is now besmirched by circular “explosions,” where the pressure from heating caused ruptures in the microscopic negative crystals, thus deflowering Mother Nature’s exquisite work of art.

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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.