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.
An unusual green crystal was found trapped in this unheated blue sapphire from Serendib.
Natural Sapphire •
Sri Lanka (Ceylon) •
Enhancements:
None Detected (None) •
Lighting Conditions:
Fiber Optic: Oblique
Photographer:
E. Billie Hughes •
Image Number:
A-001-0946-1
Gübelin, E.J. and Koivula, J.I. (2005) Photoatlas of Inclusions in Gemstones, Volume 3. Basel, Switzerland, Opinio Publishers, 672 pp.; RWHL*.
Hughes, R.W. (1997) Ruby & Sapphire. Boulder, CO, RWH Publishing, 512 pp.; RWHL*.
One of the classic inclusions found in Sri Lankan sapphires are negative crystals. These are generally filled with liquid carbon dioxide and sometimes contain a gas phase, too. In addition, hexagonal black graphite plates and slender diaspore needles are frequent guests in these tiny primary cavities.
Natural Sapphire •
Sri Lanka (Ceylon) •
Enhancements:
None Detected (None) •
Lighting Conditions:
Fiber Optic: Transmitted
Photographer:
E. Billie Hughes •
Image Number:
A-001-0742-5
Koivula, J.I. (1986) Carbon dioxide fluid inclusions as proof of natural-colored corundum. Gems & Gemology, Vol. 22, No. 3, pp. 152–155; RWHL*.
Koivula, J.I. (1980) Carbon dioxide as a fluid inclusion. Gems & Gemology, Vol. 16, No. 12, pp. 386–390; RWHL*.
One of the classic inclusions found in Sri Lankan sapphires are negative crystals. These are generally filled with liquid carbon dioxide and sometimes contain a gas phase, too. In addition, hexagonal black graphite plates and slender diaspore needles are frequent guests in these tiny primary cavities.
Natural Sapphire •
Sri Lanka (Ceylon) •
Enhancements:
None Detected (None) •
Lighting Conditions:
Fiber Optic: Oblique
Photographer:
E. Billie Hughes •
Image Number:
A-001-0742-4
Koivula, J.I. (1986) Carbon dioxide fluid inclusions as proof of natural-colored corundum. Gems & Gemology, Vol. 22, No. 3, pp. 152–155; RWHL*.
Koivula, J.I. (1980) Carbon dioxide as a fluid inclusion. Gems & Gemology, Vol. 16, No. 12, pp. 386–390; RWHL*.
One of the classic inclusions found in Sri Lankan sapphires are negative crystals. These are generally filled with liquid carbon dioxide and sometimes contain a gas phase, too. In addition, hexagonal black graphite plates and slender diaspore needles are frequent guests in these tiny primary cavities.
Natural Sapphire •
Sri Lanka (Ceylon) •
Enhancements:
None Detected (None) •
Lighting Conditions:
Fiber Optic: Oblique
Photographer:
E. Billie Hughes •
Image Number:
A-001-0742-3
Koivula, J.I. (1986) Carbon dioxide fluid inclusions as proof of natural-colored corundum. Gems & Gemology, Vol. 22, No. 3, pp. 152–155; RWHL*.
Koivula, J.I. (1980) Carbon dioxide as a fluid inclusion. Gems & Gemology, Vol. 16, No. 12, pp. 386–390; RWHL*.
One of the classic inclusions found in Sri Lankan sapphires are negative crystals. These are generally filled with liquid carbon dioxide and sometimes contain a gas phase, too. In addition, hexagonal black graphite plates and slender diaspore needles are frequent guests in these tiny primary cavities.
Natural Sapphire •
Sri Lanka (Ceylon) •
Enhancements:
None Detected (None) •
Lighting Conditions:
Fiber Optic: Oblique
Photographer:
E. Billie Hughes •
Image Number:
A-001-0742-2
Koivula, J.I. (1986) Carbon dioxide fluid inclusions as proof of natural-colored corundum. Gems & Gemology, Vol. 22, No. 3, pp. 152–155; RWHL*.
Koivula, J.I. (1980) Carbon dioxide as a fluid inclusion. Gems & Gemology, Vol. 16, No. 12, pp. 386–390; RWHL*.
One of the classic inclusions found in Sri Lankan sapphires are negative crystals. These are generally filled with liquid carbon dioxide and sometimes contain a gas phase, too. In addition, hexagonal black graphite plates and slender diaspore needles are frequent guests in these tiny primary cavities.
Natural Sapphire •
Sri Lanka (Ceylon) •
Enhancements:
None Detected (None) •
Lighting Conditions:
Fiber Optic: Oblique
Photographer:
E. Billie Hughes •
Image Number:
A-001-0742-1
Koivula, J.I. (1986) Carbon dioxide fluid inclusions as proof of natural-colored corundum. Gems & Gemology, Vol. 22, No. 3, pp. 152–155; RWHL*.
Koivula, J.I. (1980) Carbon dioxide as a fluid inclusion. Gems & Gemology, Vol. 16, No. 12, pp. 386–390; RWHL*.
751 Total Images
Results: 721 – 732 | Page 61 of 63 Pages
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.
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