Sapphire Inclusions

First Published: 7 September 2026

Sapphire Inclusions

Explore sapphire inclusions in Hyperion, the Lotus Gemology inclusion database. Hyperion contains photomicrographs of inclusions and internal features in natural sapphire, documented with information on geographic origin, treatment, lighting conditions, field of view, photographer and published references.

Small crystals are connected to the surface of this Madagascar sapphire by tiny growth tubes. Note also the narrow, deeply indented natural at right, another hallmark of Madagascar sapphires.
Rounded zircon inclusions across the entire stone mark this sapphire as being of Madagascar origin. While zircon crystals are also common in sapphires from other sources, they are not seen the same concentration as in Madagascar sapphires.
Multitudes of rounded zircons were found in this blue sapphire from Madagascar, along with undissolved rutile silk.
A birefringent lance pierces the heart of this blue sapphire from Madagascar.
Rampant complex etching on the surface of a Montana sapphire from the Missouri River. The etching occurs where parting planes reach the surface. 40x.
A butterfly takes flight within the inner space of a sapphire from Serendib. Iridescent healed fissure.
This lovely moiré pattern in a Burmese sapphire is a spectacular example of the photomicrographic art from the master, John Koivula.
A narrow and deeply indented natural on the girdle of a Madagascar sapphire. These features are quite common on Madagascar sapphires of all colors.
This iridescent inclusion in a Sri Lankan sapphire is a remnant of a fissure that has healed shut over millions of years. The trapped fluids in these types of inclusions can provide geologists and geochemists with valuable clues about the origins of the planet.
A complex structure of tiny exsolved particles and milky texture clouds outline the shape of this crystal at an earlier stage in its growth. This stone is from Queensland’s Lava Plains mines. The black crystal in the center is probably columbite (a.k.a. niobite).
Note that the fingerprint (a partially healed fracture) in this stone has hexagonal zones. This indicates that the fingerprint formed parallel to the basal pinacoid.
A delightful sight. This pinkish purple sapphire from Serendib features a lovely iridescent fingerprint, its structure mimicing the underlying atomic pattern of its host.

Sapphire 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 sapphire, understanding its geological history, recognizing treatment and, in some cases, determining geographic origin.

Sapphire Inclusion Photomicrographs

The Hyperion sapphire gallery includes microscopic features found in sapphires 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 Sapphire

Inclusions are an important part of sapphire identification. Their form, composition, orientation and alteration can help gemologists distinguish natural sapphire from synthetic material, recognize evidence of heat treatment, and study the geological environment in which the sapphire formed.

Hyperion combines inclusion photomicrography with supporting gemological information so that individual features can be compared with documented examples from known sapphire 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.

Search the Complete Hyperion Database