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 transparent crystal within a ruby from Mozambique’s Montepuez mines.
Rosette inclusion surrounding a mica crystal in an unheated Mozambique ruby, seen in transmitted light.
Rosette inclusion surrounding a mica crystal in an unheated Mozambique ruby, seen in reflected light.
Rosette inclusion surrounding a mica crystal in an unheated Mozambique ruby, seen in reflected light.
Growth tube with epigenetic iron-oxide staining in an untreated ruby from Mozambique. Positioned along the rhombohedron edge, this superficially resembles a boehmite needle, but there is no associated twinning.
Tiny rounded grains of pargasite (transparent) and chromite (black) in an untreated Mozambique ruby.
Zoned clouds of fine exsolved particles creating a milky appearance, along with a fingerprint made up of coarse negative crystals.
Polysynthetic twinning in a ruby from Vietnam’s Luc Yen district.
Polysynthetic twinning in a ruby from Vietnam’s Luc Yen district.
The secret silken world of this untreated ruby from Burma’s Mogok Stone Tract is revealed with overhead lighting that reflects off of the undissolved rutile silk. The lack of breakdown proves that the gem has not been subjected to high-temperature heat treatment.
The secret silken world of this untreated ruby from Burma’s Mogok Stone Tract is revealed with overhead lighting that reflects off of the undissolved rutile silk. The lack of breakdown proves that the gem has not been subjected to high-temperature heat treatment.
A mica crystal with a lovely “rosette” surrounding it graces the interior of this untreated Mozambique ruby from the Montepuez area.

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.