Australia Sapphire Inclusions

First Published: 7 September 2026

Australian Sapphire Inclusions

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

A clear hexagonal growth pattern forms shimmering angular zones in this sapphire from New South Wales, Australia. Specimen courtesy of Terrence Coldham.
Orange crystals seem to float against a midnight blue sky, with angular growth zoning visible in the background, in this sapphire from New South Wales, Australia. Specimen courtesy of Terrence Coldham.
A small crystal with a comet tail appears to fly across this untreated sapphire from New South Wales, Australia. Specimen courtesy of Terrence Coldham.
Angular color zones form gray peaks in this untreated sapphire from Rubyvale, Queensland, Australia.
Zoned clouds of dark plates and short needles form stormy skies across this untreated sapphire from Rubyvale, Queensland, Australia.
Small crystal grains are surrounded by fissures amidst clouds of rutile silk in this sapphire from Lava Plains.
Large terraced crystals of what may be ilmenite, surrounded by fingerprints are visible in this Lava Plains sapphire.
Fine exsolved particles and milky zones outline the shape of the crystal as it grew in this unheated sapphire from Lava Plains.
A large flattened negative crystal is surrounded by an iridescent fingerprint in the basal plane of this unheated Lava Plains sapphire.
Undissolved rutile silk glitters in this untreated sapphire from Rubyvale, Austrlia.
A trapiche pattern shines in this untreated sapphire from Rubyvale, Australia.
Undissolved rutile silk glitters in this untreated sapphire from Rubyvale, Austrlia.

Australian sapphire inclusions may include mineral crystals, 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 Australian origin.

Australian Sapphire Inclusion Photomicrographs

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

What Inclusions Can Reveal About Australian 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 an Australian origin.

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

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