Madagascar Sapphire Inclusions

First Published: 7 September 2026

Madagascar Sapphire Inclusions

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

Magnification of this beryllium-diffused orange sapphire reveals small areas on the surface where corundum has melted and recrystallized. This is sometimes seen in beryllium-diffused corundums, due to the high temperatures reached during the treatment.
When immersed in di-iodomethane, this orange sapphire reveals a surface-conformal color rim, exposing it as having been beryllium diffused.
This bright orange sapphire shows no evidence of heat treatment in the microscope, but the chalky zoned shortwave ultraviolet fluorescence quickly unmasks the fact that the stone had been heated.
This bright orange sapphire shows no evidence of heat treatment in the microscope, but the chalky zoned shortwave ultraviolet fluorescence quickly unmasks the fact that the stone had been heated.
Apatite crystal (ID’d with Lotus Gemology’s micro Raman) in sapphire; FOV 3 mm
We noticed a transparent birefringent crystal in this blue sapphire from Madagascar. Its luster was lower than the sapphire, indicating a lower RI than the host. Testing with Lotus Gemology’s micro Raman revealed it to be grandidierite. This is the first discovery of grandidierite in corundum.
We noticed a transparent birefringent crystal in this blue sapphire from Madagascar. Its luster was lower than the sapphire, indicating a lower RI than the host. Testing with Lotus Gemology’s micro Raman revealed it to be grandidierite. This is the first discovery of grandidierite in corundum.
We noticed a transparent birefringent crystal in this blue sapphire from Madagascar. Its luster was lower than the sapphire, indicating a lower RI than the host. Testing with Lotus Gemology’s micro Raman revealed it to be grandidierite. This is the first discovery of grandidierite in corundum.
Dark blue color zones such as this surrounded by milky areas are a common feature of Madagascar sapphire from the Ilakaka region; sometimes these stones are confused with those from Kashmir; FOV 5.5 mm
When chalky fluorescence is seen in shortwave UV light, it generally indicates a sapphire has been heat treated. The exception is a superficial chalky patch such as that seen here.
Small crystals with decolorized areas around growth tubes cut through on the surface. The growth tubes have apparently drawn titanium out of solid solution in the sapphire, thus cannibalizing the color.
Rows of negative crystals in a Madagascar sapphire. The fact that these show no damage are strong evidence that the gem has not been heat treated.

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Madagascar 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 Madagascar origin.

Madagascar Sapphire Inclusion Photomicrographs

The Hyperion Madagascar sapphire gallery includes microscopic features documented in sapphires from Madagascar. Each entry is accompanied by descriptive information and, where available, references to the gemological literature.

What Inclusions Can Reveal About Madagascar 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 Madagascar origin.

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