Natural Ruby Inclusions

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

A ruby was sent to us for testing. It featured rutile silk, mica and some small rounded crystal grains. The inclusion evidence suggested that it could be from either Mozambique or Madagascar. The rounded grains could be amphibole or zircon. So we did micro Raman analysis on the grain pictured here. It turned out to be zircon. As zircon has not been found in Mozambique ruby, but is found in Madagascar ruby, this pointed to the stone as being from Madagascar.
This ruby from central Madagascar featured a large crystal that was cut through on the surface. Using micro Raman, we identified the crystal as phlogopite mica.
A crystal with metallic luster stands out in this unheated ruby.
A crystal with metallic luster stands out in this unheated ruby. When illuminated with a fiber optic light we can see “rosettes” of thin films around the crystal.
An elongated brown crystal stood out when we tested this ruby. Raman microscopy confirmed its identity as tourmaline.
Triangular growth markings decorate the exterior of this rough ruby crystal.
Trapiche pattern in a ruby from Pakistan’s Azad Kashmir region.
A strong hexagonal blue core can be seen in this ruby from Mong Hsu, Burma (Myanmar). These blue zones are a common feature of Mong Hsu ruby, and are often removed with heat treatment.
One of the most distinctive features of rubies from Afghanistan’s Jegdalek mines are the alternating zones of blue and red color, as shown here. FoV = 7 mm.
Crystals in an untreated ruby from Afghanistan display a metallic luster where they are cut through on the surface. Microraman analysis revealed their identity as hematite.
This small rounded crystal caught our attention when examining a ruby from Mong Hsu, Burma. Micro Raman analysis revealed that it is an apatite inclusion.
Mong Hsu rubies generally contain fluffy clouds of exsolved diaspore silk. While rutile silk is not common, it is seen on occasion, as evidenced by a cloud of rutile silk in a Mong Hsu ruby.

Search the Complete Hyperion Database

Natural ruby 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 ruby, understanding its geological history, recognizing treatment and, in some cases, determining geographic origin.

Natural Ruby Inclusion Photomicrographs

The Hyperion natural ruby gallery includes microscopic features found in rubies 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 Natural Ruby

Inclusions are an important part of ruby identification. Their form, composition, orientation and alteration can help gemologists distinguish natural ruby from synthetic material, recognize evidence of heat treatment, and study the geological environment in which the ruby formed.

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