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 mica crystal with a lovely “rosette” inclusion surrounding it creates a secret beauty in this Montepuez (Mozambique) ruby.
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.
A lovely rosette surrounding a mica crystal decorates the interior of this ruby from Montepuez, Mozambique.
A lovely rosette surrounding a mica crystal decorates the interior of this ruby from Montepuez, Mozambique.
Rubies from some localities in northern Mozambique have fissures that are too wide to be closed via the normal flux healing treatment alone. Thus these stones also often have the fissures filled with glass, as you can see here. The glass has a much lower luster than the surrounding corundum. One can also see a round gas bubble that was cut through during the polishing process.
Rubies from some localities in northern Mozambique have fissures that are too wide to be closed via the normal flux healing treatment alone. Thus these stones also often have the fissures filled with glass, as you can see here. The glass has a much lower luster than the surrounding corundum. One can also see a round gas bubble that was cut through during the polishing process.
Rutile silk (high relief) with daughter crystals (lower relief) at the broad ends is a common feature of Mozambique rubies. Heat treatment often produces a breakdown, creating white spots or bubbles within the daughter crystals, as well as a rim developing on the outside edge, as seen here.
Rutile silk (high relief) with daughter crystals (lower relief) at the broad ends is a common feature of Mozambique rubies. Heat treatment often produces a breakdown, creating white spots or bubbles within the daughter crystals, as well as a rim developing on the outside edge, as seen here.
Rutile silk (high relief) with daughter crystals (lower relief) at the broad ends is a common feature of Mozambique rubies. Heat treatment often produces a breakdown, creating white spots or bubbles within the daughter crystals, as can be seen here.
Rutile silk (high relief) with daughter crystals (lower relief) at the broad ends is a common feature of Mozambique rubies. Heat treatment often produces a breakdown, creating white spots or bubbles within the daughter crystals, as can be seen here.
Rutile silk (high relief) with daughter crystals (lower relief) at the broad ends is a common feature of Mozambique rubies. Heat treatment often produces a breakdown, creating white spots or bubbles within the daughter crystals, as can be seen here.
Rutile silk (high relief) with daughter crystals (lower relief) at the broad ends is a common feature of Mozambique rubies. Heat treatment often produces a breakdown, creating white spots or bubbles within the daughter crystals.

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.