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.

Unusual violet and red-orange growth zoning.
A classic inclusion scene in a star ruby from Myanmar’s Mogok Stone Tract. Here we can see severely elongated negative crystals against a backdrop of undissolved rutile silk.
An irregular crystal of what is probably pargasite features embedded deep red crystals of what is probably chromite.
An irregular crystal of what is probably amphibole features embedded deep red crystals of unknown identity.
Amphibole crystals trapped in the crimson clutches of a ruby from Mozambique’s Montepuez mines.
Small mica crystals fly across a shocking pink backdrop in this Mozambique ruby.
A transparent zircon crystal stands out against a backdrop of undissolved rutile silk in this Mogok ruby.
Euhedral crystals are suspended amongst a cloud of rutile silk in this ruby from Myanmar’s Mogok stone tract.
Euhedral crystals are suspended amongst a cloud of rutile silk in this ruby from Myanmar’s Mogok stone tract.
A variety of crystals can be spotted in this inclusion scene. On the left is a crystal containing diaspore, on the right are transparent spinel crystals, and the dark crystal at the bottom is primary rutile.
This scene contained spinel crystals as well as CO2 inclusions.
A croissant-shaped calcite crystal is suspended in this ruby from Mogok, Myanmar. Calcite is a common inclusion in rubies from this locality.

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.