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.

This large, transparent crystal is suspended in a ruby from Myanmar’s Mogok stone tract. Micro Raman analysis identified it as sphene.
A cluster of calcite crystals, identified with micro Raman, is suspended in this ruby from Myanmar. Calcite is a common inclusion in ruby from the Mogok area.
Several transparent crystals are present in this inclusion scene, shown here between crossed polars. The interference colors we see demonstrate that the crystals are doubly refractive. Analysis with micro Raman identified these crystals as calcite.
Several transparent crystals are present in this inclusion scene, shown here with dark field illumination. Analysis with micro Raman identified these crystals as calcite.
Several transparent crystals are present in this inclusion scene, shown here with light field illumination. Analysis with micro Raman identified these crystals as calcite.
A cluster of transparent calcite crystals are visible in this ruby from Myanmar.
A pair of calcite crystals, identified with micro Raman, stand out against clouds of rutile silk in this ruby from Myanmar.
A melted crystal with a frozen gas bubble betray the fact that this ruby from Madagascar was subjected to heat treatment. Note also the tension fracture around the crystal, resulting from the crystal’s expansion during heat treatment.
A large, polysynthetically twinned calcite crystal lies trapped in this ruby from Myanmar’s Mogok Stone Tract. Twinned calcite crystals are often seen in Burmese rubies, which formed in a calcite (marble) matrix.
Amphibole crystals are plentiful in this Mozambique ruby.
In this Burmese ruby, the stone was broken after polishing (probably during the setting process). To cover up the mistake, blue cement was used to glue the chip back in place. The cement quickly liquified when the hot point was touched to it, revealing the fraud.
Iridescent fingerprint in a heat-treated ruby from the Thai-Cambodian border region. Note that the iridescence is mostly blue and red, because ruby absorbs the other colors of the spectrum.

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.