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.
When we spotted the varying lusters on this crystal cut through on the surface of a ruby, we hypothesized that it was of mixed composition. Micro raman confirmed that the higher luster area is chromite, the area of medium luster on the left is kyanite, and the lowest luster area at the bottom is pargasite.
Natural Ruby •
Mozambique •
Enhancements:
None Detected (None) •
Lighting Conditions:
Dark Field + Diffuse Fiber Optic
Photographer:
E. Billie Hughes •
Image Number:
A-003-6677-1
• Field of View = 1mm
Hughes, R.W., Manorotkul, W. and Hughes, E.B. (2017) Ruby & Sapphire: A Gemologist's Guide. Bangkok, Lotus Publishing, 816 pp.; RWHL*.
Pardieu, V., Sangsawong, S. et al. (2013) Rubies from the Montepuez area (Mozambique). Gemological Institute of America, October 5, 84 pp.; RWHL*.
Undissolved rutile silk in a ruby believed to originate from Mozambique’s Montepuez mines.
Natural Ruby •
Mozambique •
Enhancements:
None Detected (None) •
Lighting Conditions:
Fiber Optic: Diffuse Overhead
Photographer:
Richard W. Hughes •
Image Number:
A-003-7209-3
• Field of View = 2mm
Pardieu, V., Sangsawong, S. et al. (2013) Rubies from the Montepuez area (Mozambique). Gemological Institute of America, October 5, 84 pp.; RWHL*.
Hughes, R.W., Manorotkul, W. and Hughes, E.B. (2017) Ruby & Sapphire: A Gemologist's Guide. Bangkok, Lotus Publishing, 816 pp.; RWHL*.
In this ruby believed to originate from Mozambique’s Montepuez mines, we noticed rounded crystal grains within the gem that proved to be pargasite. However, there were two crystals cut through on the surface. Micro Raman analysis showed each of them to be bussyite-(Ce). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time this mineral has been reported as an inclusion in corundum from any locality.
Natural Ruby •
Mozambique •
Enhancements:
None Detected (None) •
Lighting Conditions:
Dark Field + Diffuse Overhead Fiber Optic
Photographer:
Richard W. Hughes •
Image Number:
A-003-7209-2
• Field of View = 2mm
Pardieu, V., Sangsawong, S. et al. (2013) Rubies from the Montepuez area (Mozambique). Gemological Institute of America, October 5, 84 pp.; RWHL*.
Hughes, R.W., Manorotkul, W. and Hughes, E.B. (2017) Ruby & Sapphire: A Gemologist's Guide. Bangkok, Lotus Publishing, 816 pp.; RWHL*.
In this ruby believed to originate from Mozambique’s Montepuez mines, we noticed rounded crystal grains within the gem that proved to be pargasite. However, there were two crystals cut through on the surface. Micro Raman analysis showed each of them to be bussyite-(Ce). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time this mineral has been reported as an inclusion in corundum from any locality.
Natural Ruby •
Mozambique •
Enhancements:
None Detected (None) •
Lighting Conditions:
Dark Field + Diffuse Overhead Fiber Optic
Photographer:
Richard W. Hughes •
Image Number:
A-003-7209-1
• Field of View = 20mm
Pardieu, V., Sangsawong, S. et al. (2013) Rubies from the Montepuez area (Mozambique). Gemological Institute of America, October 5, 84 pp.; RWHL*.
Hughes, R.W., Manorotkul, W. and Hughes, E.B. (2017) Ruby & Sapphire: A Gemologist's Guide. Bangkok, Lotus Publishing, 816 pp.; RWHL*.
During a crystal’s growth, conditions may change. The result is reflected by growth features such as zoning, twinning, dislocations, etc. These changes may also influence events that occur after the growth, such as exsolution (the unmixing of a solid solution). In this Mozambique ruby, we can see a zoned cloud of fine exsolved particles that shifts dramatically to much larger exsolved needles/plates.
Natural Ruby •
Mozambique •
Enhancements:
None Detected (None) •
Lighting Conditions:
Fiber Optic: Overhead
Photographer:
Richard W. Hughes •
Image Number:
A-003-6905-1
• Field of View = 3mm
Hughes, R.W., Manorotkul, W. and Hughes, E.B. (2017) Ruby & Sapphire: A Gemologist's Guide. Bangkok, Lotus Publishing, 816 pp.; RWHL*.
During a crystal’s growth, conditions may change. The result is reflected by growth features such as zoning, twinning, dislocations, etc. These changes may also influence events that occur after the growth, such as exsolution (the unmixing of a solid solution). In this Mozambique ruby, we can see a zoned cloud of fine exsolved particles that shifts dramatically to much larger exsolved needles/plates.
Natural Ruby •
Mozambique •
Enhancements:
None Detected (None) •
Lighting Conditions:
Fiber Optic: Oblique
Photographer:
Richard W. Hughes •
Image Number:
A-003-6849-1
• Field of View = 2mm
Hughes, R.W., Manorotkul, W. and Hughes, E.B. (2017) Ruby & Sapphire: A Gemologist's Guide. Bangkok, Lotus Publishing, 816 pp.; RWHL*.
Undissolved rutile silk is strewn like confetti beneath the table facet of this Mozambique ruby. This is seen when looking down the c axis.
Natural Ruby •
Mozambique •
Enhancements:
None Detected (None) •
Lighting Conditions:
Fiber Optic: Diffuse Overhead
Photographer:
Richard W. Hughes •
Image Number:
A-003-6818-1
• Field of View = 4.5mm
Pardieu, V., Sangsawong, S. et al. (2013) Rubies from the Montepuez area (Mozambique). Gemological Institute of America, October 5, 84 pp.; RWHL*.
Hughes, R.W., Manorotkul, W. and Hughes, E.B. (2017) Ruby & Sapphire: A Gemologist's Guide. Bangkok, Lotus Publishing, 816 pp.; RWHL*.
We noticed transparent crystals cut through on the surface of this ruby from Mozambique’s Montepuez region. Micro Raman revealed the lower luster crystal to be pargasite (amphibole), while the two higher relief crystals tested as spinel. Because their luster is even higher the surrounding ruby, their refractive index is above 1.77. This suggests that rather than being pure spinel (MgAl2O4), they are probably mixed with another species, such as chromite (Fe2+Cr3+2O4). Chromite has an RI of 2.08 to 2.16.
Natural Ruby •
Mozambique •
Enhancements:
None Detected (None) •
Lighting Conditions:
Dark Field + Diffuse Overhead Fiber Optic
Photographer:
Richard W. Hughes •
Image Number:
A-003-6687-1
• Field of View = 2mm
Hughes, R.W., Manorotkul, W. and Hughes, E.B. (2017) Ruby & Sapphire: A Gemologist's Guide. Bangkok, Lotus Publishing, 816 pp.; RWHL*.
Mozambique ruby is one of the most important stones on the market today. This one contains a beautiful metallic crystal with nice surface markings.
Natural Ruby •
Mozambique •
Enhancements:
None Detected (None) •
Lighting Conditions:
Dark Field + Diffuse Fiber Optic
Photographer:
E. Billie Hughes •
Image Number:
A-003-6643-1
• Field of View = 4mm
Hughes, R.W., Manorotkul, W. and Hughes, E.B. (2017) Ruby & Sapphire: A Gemologist's Guide. Bangkok, Lotus Publishing, 816 pp.; RWHL*.
Pardieu, V., Saeseaw, S. et al. (2015) "Low temperature" heat treatment of Mozambique ruby: Results report. Gemological Institute of America, 16 April, 34 pp.; RWHL*.
An extremely low relief hexagonal crystal with small inclusions inside can be seen in this Mozambique ruby. We have not yet been able to identify this crystal.
Natural Ruby •
Mozambique •
Enhancements:
None Detected (None) •
Lighting Conditions:
Dark Field + Shadowing
Photographer:
E. Billie Hughes •
Image Number:
A-003-6522-1
• Field of View = 2mm
Hughes, R.W., Manorotkul, W. and Hughes, E.B. (2017) Ruby & Sapphire: A Gemologist's Guide. Bangkok, Lotus Publishing, 816 pp.; RWHL*.
Pardieu, V., Saeseaw, S. et al. (2015) "Low temperature" heat treatment of Mozambique ruby: Results report. Gemological Institute of America, 16 April, 34 pp.; RWHL*.
151 Total Images
Results: 25 – 36 | Page 3 of 13 Pages
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.
Search the Complete Hyperion Database
