Six-Rayed Star in Sapphire from Myanmar

A Burmese sapphire shows a celestial scene both externally and internally.

An included calcite crystal within an unheated Burmese ruby displays dramatic twinning planes.

Surface-reaching growth tubes in a sapphire provide insight into the gem’s origin and treatment history.

A ruby’s surface-reaching cavity is filled with red oil.

The optical properties of crystals are intimately related to their crystal structures. This article examines the precise relationship between optic character and sign and crystal structure.

At the Lotus Gemology laboratory in Bangkok, we often get parcels of relatively uniform stones. But sometimes it is in this routine testing that we uncover surprises.

A look into the world of spinel inclusions that goes beyond simple octahedral crystals.

Solid inclusions have been used by gemologists as a means of determining origin. While there is a great deal of overlap from one source to another, there are also important differences. For example, while apatite has been identified in sapphire from Madagascar, Myanmar and Sri Lanka, apatite has never been identified in sapphire from Kashmir. Thus the purpose of this article is to give a full listing of solid inclusions in gem corundums from around the world, with each occurrence fully referenced. This is provided with the goal of making origin determination of ruby and sapphire more accurate.

For those who wish to explore the literature of inclusions in gemstones further, we have selected the following articles and books that are of particular merit. Most of these are cited in the Lotus Gemology Hyperion Inclusion Database, but are listed below in a more convenient summary format. Many of the links will allow you to download a PDF copy of the original article.

The best way to check the authenticity of a Lotus report is with online report verification.