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.

Spiral fissures amidst milky clouds in an unheated ruby from Rolela, Kiteto, Tanzania.
Rounded bluish crystals of what is probably amphibole in a ruby from Rolela, Kiteto, Tanzania.
Thin exsolved needles of what is probably rutile silk in this ruby from Rolela, Kiteto, Tanzania.
Fine exsolved particles in this ruby from Rolela, Kiteto, Tanzania.
Thin exsolved needles of what is probably rutile silk in this ruby from Rolelo, Kiteto, Tanzania.
Iron-rich silk in a ruby from Rolela, Kiteto, Tanzania.
Milkiness, sharp color zone, RC/PT and negative crystals forming fingerprints in E Africa ruby, often confused with Himalayan Arc. Such fine milky clouds (with no visible particles under standard magnification), while found in Vietnam and Afghan rubies, are not found in Mogok stones.
This type of inclusion scene is typical for untreated Mozambique ruby. A blocky crystal can be observed, suspended in between layers of “silk” needles and platelets.
A fluorite crystal (identified with micro Raman) displays beautiful interference colors on its surface. In the background, a cloud of rutile silk needles can be seen. Specimen courtesy Vincent Pardieu.
Angular blue color zoning is a hallmark of rubies like this one, which comes from Myanmar’s Mong Hsu region.
When the fissure in this ruby is illuminated with a longwave UV torch, a dendritic pattern where filler is present can be easily seen.
Viewed in transmitted light, the fissure in this ruby displays a subtle dendritic pattern.

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.