Ceylon Sapphire Inclusions

First Published: 7 September 2026

Ceylon Sapphire Inclusions

Explore Ceylon sapphire inclusions in Hyperion, the Lotus Gemology inclusion database. Hyperion contains photomicrographs of inclusions and internal features in natural sapphires from Sri Lanka (Ceylon), documented with information on treatment, lighting conditions, field of view, photographer and published references.

A partially healed fissure, or fingerprint, can be observed in this sapphire. The angular healing patterns form naturally due to the crystalline structure of the gem.
God’s thumbprint. When magnified, a partially healed fissure can be seen in this sapphire. It’s easy to see why gemologists have nicknamed these inclusions “fingerprints.”
A pair of tiny crystals surrounded by bubbly fingerprints provide evidence that this sapphire has been heated.
Two euhedral apatite crystals (identified with micro Raman) are suspended inside this unheated sapphire.
This nicely shaped hexagonal crystal caught our eye as we were testing its sapphire host. Analysis with micro Raman identified the metallic crystal as graphite.
A negative crystal, surrounded by iridescent fingerprints, creates a stunning inclusion scene in this Sri Lankan sapphire. Specimen courtesy Asia Lounges.
This sapphire was treated with heat and pressure.
When this heat and pressure treated sapphire was viewed under crossed polars, several small strain patterns became visible.
Two types of rutile can be viewed in t his inclusion scene: fine rutile “silk” needles and the dark brownish primary rutile crystal present in the foreground. The primary rutile was identified with micro Raman. Note that when illuminated with reflected light the primary rutile shows an extremely high luster where cut through on the surface.
Two types of rutile can be viewed in t his inclusion scene: fine rutile “silk” needles and the dark brownish primary rutile crystal present in the foreground. The primary rutile was identified with micro Raman.
A dramatic series of rutile silk needles decorates the interior of this sapphire from Sri Lanka.
The frosted surface of this large crystal and drippy, melted appearance of the associated fingerprint provide evidence that this sapphire has undergone heat treatment.

Ceylon sapphire 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 sapphire and evaluating a possible Sri Lankan origin.

Ceylon Sapphire Inclusion Photomicrographs

The Hyperion Ceylon sapphire gallery includes microscopic features documented in sapphires from Sri Lanka (Ceylon). Each entry is accompanied by descriptive information and, where available, references to the gemological literature.

What Inclusions Can Reveal About Ceylon Sapphire

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

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

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