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 mobile bubble within a negative crystal in a ruby from Madagascar. Such inclusions cannot withstand heat treatment and thus are proof of natural origin.
Mozambique rubies contain mixed silk, where part is rutile and part is another mineral. When heated, the non-rutile portion may show breakdown in the form of mottling or bubbles, as seen here.
Rosette inclusion in an untreated Mozambique ruby.
Surface conformal orange color rim resulting from beryllium diffusion, seen while immersed in di-iodomethane.
A slender amphibole rod perches next to a secondary healed fissure (’fingerprint’) in this untreated ruby from Ambodivoahangy, Madagascar.
Orange crystals of what is probably monazite are seen with polysynthetic twinning in this unheated ruby from Ambodivoahangy, Madagascar
Orange crystals of what is probably monazite along with smaller zircon grains in this unheated ruby from Ambodivoahangy, Madagascar
Amphibole rods in an untreated ruby from Ambodivoahangy, Madagascar.
Clusters of transparent crystals (probably zircon or xenotime) in a ruby from Madagascar’s Andilamena region.
Primary rutile crystals in transmitted light in a ruby from Madagascar’s Ambodivoahangy region.
Primary rutile crystals cut through on surface, with a metallic luster in a ruby from Madagascar’s Ambodivoahangy region.
Large amphibole rods are distinctive guests in rubies from Madagascar’s Ambodivoahangy region.

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.