Burmese Ruby Inclusions

First Published: 7 September 2026

Burmese Ruby Inclusions

Explore Burmese ruby inclusions in Hyperion, the Lotus Gemology inclusion database. Hyperion contains photomicrographs of inclusions and internal features in natural rubies from Myanmar (Burma), documented with information on treatment, lighting conditions, field of view, photographer and published references.

The oiling of gems to improve their appearance is a treatment we see with increasing frequency, particularly with gems originating in Myanmar. Here is a Mogok ruby that shows oil leaking from the fissures following a few minutes contact with the hot point.
Virtually all Burmese rubies from Mong Hsu feature deep blue cores surrounded by cottony diaspore silk, as shown here. In previous times, most of this material was heated with flux to remove the blue areas and heal the fissures. However with the high price difference between natural and heated rubies, we now see many Mong Hsu rubies that have not been treated.
Nests of rutile silk needles, as depicted here, are a common inclusion in rubies from Myanmar’s Mogok stone tract.
Prior to heat treatment, most rubies from Mong Hsu, Myanmar display a deep blue core. Here it appears in a “V” shape.
Prior to heat treatment, most rubies from Mong Hsu, Myanmar display a deep blue core, as shown here in classic form.
Prior to heat treatment, most rubies from Mong Hsu, Myanmar display a deep blue core, as shown here in classic form.
Prior to heat treatment, most rubies from Mong Hsu, Myanmar display a deep blue core surrounded by layers of cottony diaspore silk, as shown here in classic form.
Prior to heat treatment, most rubies from Mong Hsu, Myanmar display a deep blue core surrounded by layers of cottony diaspore silk, as shown here in classic form.
Solid inclusions are a relatively rare sight in rubies from Myanmar’s Mong Hsu area. This perfectly formed hexagonal prism cut through on the surface, not unexpectedly, turned out to be fluorapatite, as proven by micro Raman.
Solid inclusions are a relatively rare sight in rubies from Myanmar’s Mong Hsu area. This perfectly formed hexagonal prism cut through on the surface, not unexpectedly, turned out to be fluorapatite, as proven by micro Raman.
A light dusting of rutile silk in this 5.59 ct ruby can be spotted at high magnification. The features pictured provide evidence that this gem is unheated and hails from Myanmar’s (Burma’s) storied Mogok region. This inclusion scene is a unique identifying feature of the gem.
A strong hexagonal blue core can be seen in this ruby from Mong Hsu, Burma (Myanmar). These blue zones are a common feature of Mong Hsu ruby, and are often removed with heat treatment.

Burmese ruby inclusions may include mineral crystals, rutile silk, healed fissures, fluid inclusions, negative crystals, growth features and other internal features formed during or after crystal growth. Such features are important to gemologists because they can provide evidence useful in identifying ruby and evaluating a possible Burmese origin.

Burmese Ruby Inclusion Photomicrographs

The Hyperion Burmese ruby gallery includes microscopic features documented in rubies from Myanmar (Burma). Each entry is accompanied by descriptive information and, where available, references to the gemological literature.

What Inclusions Can Reveal About Burmese Ruby

Inclusions are an important part of geographic origin determination in ruby. Their form, composition, orientation and associations can provide evidence that, when considered together with other gemological properties, may support or contradict a Burmese origin.

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

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