Treated Sapphire Inclusions
Explore treated sapphire inclusions in Hyperion, the Lotus Gemology inclusion database. Hyperion contains photomicrographs of inclusions and internal features in natural sapphires that have undergone treatment, documented with information on geographic origin, treatment, lighting conditions, field of view, photographer and published references.
Examining the same stone with a powerful shortwave light source shows the chalky fluorescence in a similar pattern, confirming the heat treatment.
Natural Sapphire •
Basalt Related •
Enhancements:
Heat (H) •
Lighting Conditions:
Ultraviolet: Shortwave
Photographer:
E. Billie Hughes •
Image Number:
A-003-3523-1
Hughes, R.W. and Emmett, J.L. (2005) Heat Seeker: UV fluorescence as a gemological tool. The Guide, Vol. 24, No. 5, Part 1, Sept.–Oct., pp. 1, 4–7; RWHL*.
Hughes, R.W., Manorotkul, W. et al. (2017) Ruby & Sapphire: A Gemologist's Guide. Bangkok, Lotus Publishing, 816 pp.; RWHL*.
Unusual birefringent crystals in a low-relief partially healed fissure in a sapphire treated with high-temperature heat plus modest pressure (HT+P). When tested with Lotus Gemology’s microraman, they proved to be corundum. It is thought that they crystallized during the treatment process. FOV 2 mm
Natural Sapphire •
Madagascar •
Enhancements:
Heat (H) •
Lighting Conditions:
Diffuse Light Field + Crossed Polars
Photographer:
E. Billie Hughes •
Image Number:
A-003-3169-1
[various authors] (2019) Squeezing Sapphire • Corundums treated with high temperatures and low pressure (HT+P)
Unusual birefringent crystals in a low-relief partially healed fissure in a sapphire treated with high-temperature heat plus modest pressure (HT+P). When tested with Lotus Gemology’s microraman, they proved to be corundum. It is thought that they crystallized during the treatment process. FOV 2 mm
Natural Sapphire •
Madagascar •
Enhancements:
Heat (H) •
Lighting Conditions:
Diffuse Light Field (Transmitted Light)
Photographer:
E. Billie Hughes •
Image Number:
A-003-3169-2
[various authors] (2019) Squeezing Sapphire • Corundums treated with high temperatures and low pressure (HT+P)
Unusual birefringent crystals in a low-relief partially healed fissure in a sapphire treated with high-temperature heat plus modest pressure (HT+P). When tested with Lotus Gemology’s microraman, they proved to be corundum. It is thought that they crystallized during the treatment process.
Natural Sapphire •
Sri Lanka (Ceylon) •
Enhancements:
Heat (H) •
Lighting Conditions:
Light Field (Transmitted Light)
Photographer:
E. Billie Hughes •
Image Number:
A-003-3171-2
• Field of View = 4mm
Unusual birefringent crystals in a low-relief partially healed fissure in a sapphire treated with high-temperature heat plus modest pressure (HT+P). When tested with Lotus Gemology’s microRaman, they proved to be corundum. It is thought that they crystallized during the treatment process.
Natural Sapphire •
Sri Lanka (Ceylon) •
Enhancements:
Heat (H) •
Lighting Conditions:
Diffuse Light Field + Crossed Polars
Photographer:
E. Billie Hughes •
Image Number:
A-003-3171-1
• Field of View = 4mm
[various authors] (2019) Squeezing Sapphire • Corundums treated with high temperatures and low pressure (HT+P).
The high temperatures reached during beryllium diffusion have produced melted surfaces on a natural.
Natural Sapphire •
Madagascar •
Enhancements:
Heat + Diffusion of external coloring agents (H-D) •
Lighting Conditions:
Fiber Optic: Diffuse Overhead
Photographer:
Richard W. Hughes •
Image Number:
A-003-3165-3
Emmett, J.L., Scarratt, K. et al. (2003) Beryllium diffusion of ruby and sapphire. Gems & Gemology, Vol. 39, No. 2, Summer, pp. 84–135; RWHL*.
Hughes, R.W., Manorotkul, W. et al. (2017) Ruby & Sapphire: A Gemologist's Guide. Bangkok, Lotus Publishing, 816 pp.; RWHL*.
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.
Natural Sapphire •
Madagascar •
Enhancements:
Heat + Diffusion of external coloring agents (H-D) •
Lighting Conditions:
Dark Field
Photographer:
Richard W. Hughes •
Image Number:
A-003-3165-2
Emmett, J.L., Scarratt, K. et al. (2003) Beryllium diffusion of ruby and sapphire. Gems & Gemology, Vol. 39, No. 2, Summer, pp. 84–135; RWHL*.
Hughes, R.W., Manorotkul, W. et al. (2017) Ruby & Sapphire: A Gemologist's Guide. Bangkok, Lotus Publishing, 816 pp.; RWHL*.
When immersed in di-iodomethane, this orange sapphire reveals a surface-conformal color rim, exposing it as having been beryllium diffused.
Natural Sapphire •
Madagascar •
Enhancements:
Heat + Diffusion of external coloring agents (H-D) •
Lighting Conditions:
Diffuse Light Field + Immersion
Photographer:
Richard W. Hughes •
Image Number:
A-003-3165-1
Emmett, J.L., Scarratt, K. et al. (2003) Beryllium diffusion of ruby and sapphire. Gems & Gemology, Vol. 39, No. 2, Summer, pp. 84–135; RWHL*.
Hughes, R.W., Manorotkul, W. et al. (2017) Ruby & Sapphire: A Gemologist's Guide. Bangkok, Lotus Publishing, 816 pp.; RWHL*.
249 Total Images
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Treatment can alter existing inclusions and produce new microscopic features in sapphire. These may include changes to mineral inclusions, altered rutile silk, tension fractures, healed fissures, residues and other features associated with heating, diffusion, fissure filling and other treatment processes.
Treated Sapphire Inclusion Photomicrographs
The Hyperion treated sapphire gallery includes microscopic features documented in natural sapphires subjected to treatment. Each entry identifies the recorded treatment and is accompanied by descriptive information and, where available, references to the gemological literature.
What Inclusions Can Reveal About Sapphire Treatment
Microscopic examination is an important part of detecting treatment in sapphire. The appearance and alteration of inclusions, fractures and growth features can provide evidence of treatment and, in some cases, information about the processes to which a sapphire has been subjected.
Hyperion combines inclusion photomicrography with supporting gemological information so that treatment-related features can be compared with documented examples in natural sapphire.
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.
