Mozambique Ruby Inclusions

First Published: 7 September 2026

Mozambique Ruby Inclusions

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

Spall marks on the surface of this Mozambique ruby prove that it was heat-treated after cutting and polishing. Note that some of the spall marks have dark halos around them.
Transparent rod-like crystals peek out from behind a facet edge in this Mozambique ruby. While micro Raman analysis did not conclusively identify these rods, from they are likely amphibole based on their appearance.
A small, transparent crystal stands out next to a light dusting of silk in this Mozambique ruby.
Rutile silk takes on a beguiling number of forms in this ruby from Mozambique, everything from fine particles to arrow-shaped darts.
When viewed in transmitted light, this crystal in a Mozambique ruby displays a slightly greenish color. This hints that it might be an amphibole crystal. We confirmed this hypothesis with micro Raman.
Mica crystals, identified here with micro Raman, are common feature in Mozambique ruby. They often have “rosettes” of thin films surrounding them as depicted in this photomicrograph.
Mica crystals, identified here with micro Raman, are common feature in Mozambique ruby. They often have “rosettes” of thin films surrounding them as depicted in this photomicrograph.
Amphibole crystals like these (which were identified with micro Raman) are a common inclusion found in Mozambique ruby. This is unsurprising because these rubies grow in amphibolite. When observed with transmitted light, we can see that the amphibole crystals have a dark greenish body color. It can be helpful to use a white filter to see the color of the crystals.
Careful observation of the surface of the fissure in this ruby reveals a lower luster, providing evidence of glass filling.
Both the cavity and its associated fissures on the edge of this ruby display a lower luster than the surrounding corundum, providing evidence that the stone has been glass filled.
The flattened gas bubbles in this fissure provide evidence that this ruby has been filled with glass.
A glass filled cavity is visible on the surface of this ruby. The rounded indentation is an area where a gas bubble was cut through.

Mozambique 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 Mozambique origin.

Mozambique Ruby Inclusion Photomicrographs

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

What Inclusions Can Reveal About Mozambique 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 Mozambique origin.

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

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