Madagascar Sapphire Inclusions
Explore Madagascar sapphire inclusions in Hyperion, the Lotus Gemology inclusion database. Hyperion contains photomicrographs of inclusions and internal features in natural sapphires from Madagascar, documented with information on treatment, lighting conditions, field of view, photographer and published references.
The concept of chromophore cannibalization is clearly illustrated in this photomicrograph of an untreated Madagascar sapphire. When zoned clouds of tiny exsolved inclusions are seen in transmitted light, they are found to be in decolorized areas, while blue areas are cloud free. The reason is that the tiny particles sucked titanium atoms out of solution, “cannibalizing” these potential chromophores.
Natural Sapphire •
Madagascar •
Enhancements:
None Detected (None) •
Lighting Conditions:
Dark Field + Shadowing
Photographer:
Richard W. Hughes •
Image Number:
A-002-5877-1
Gübelin, E.J. and Koivula, J.I. (2005) Photoatlas of Inclusions in Gemstones, Volume 3. Basel, Switzerland, Opinio Publishers, 672 pp.; RWHL*.
Angular zoned chalky shortwave fluorescence provides evidence that this Madagascar sapphire was heated.
Natural Sapphire •
Madagascar •
Enhancements:
Heat (H) •
Lighting Conditions:
Ultraviolet: Shortwave
Photographer:
E. Billie Hughes •
Image Number:
A-002-5043-3
Hughes, R.W. and Emmett, J.L. (2005) Heat Seeker: UV fluorescence as a gemological tool. The Guide, Vol. 24, No. 5, Part 1, Sept.–Oct., pp. 1, 4–7; RWHL*.
Hughes, R.W., Manorotkul, W. et al. (2017) Ruby & Sapphire: A Gemologist's Guide. Bangkok, Lotus Publishing, 816 pp.; RWHL*.
Angular zoned chalky shortwave fluorescence provides evidence that this Madagascar sapphire was heated.
Natural Sapphire •
Madagascar •
Enhancements:
Heat (H) •
Lighting Conditions:
Ultraviolet: Shortwave
Photographer:
E. Billie Hughes •
Image Number:
A-002-5043-2
Hughes, R.W. and Emmett, J.L. (2005) Heat Seeker: UV fluorescence as a gemological tool. The Guide, Vol. 24, No. 5, Part 1, Sept.–Oct., pp. 1, 4–7; RWHL*.
Hughes, R.W., Manorotkul, W. et al. (2017) Ruby & Sapphire: A Gemologist's Guide. Bangkok, Lotus Publishing, 816 pp.; RWHL*.
The angular chalky fluorescent patch in this sapphire provides evidence that the stone was heat treated.
Natural Sapphire •
Madagascar •
Enhancements:
Heat (H) •
Lighting Conditions:
Ultraviolet: Short Wave
Photographer:
E. Billie Hughes •
Image Number:
A-002-4843-2
Hughes, R.W. and Emmett, J.L. (2005) Heat Seeker: UV fluorescence as a gemological tool. The Guide, Vol. 24, No. 5, Part 1, Sept.–Oct., pp. 1, 4–7; RWHL*.
Hughes, R.W., Manorotkul, W. et al. (2017) Ruby & Sapphire: A Gemologist's Guide. Bangkok, Lotus Publishing, 816 pp.; RWHL*.
This angular patch glows with a chalky appearance in shortwave UV light, providing evidence that the stone was heated.
Natural Sapphire •
Madagascar •
Enhancements:
Heat (H) •
Lighting Conditions:
Ultraviolet: Shortwave
Photographer:
E. Billie Hughes •
Image Number:
A-002-4783-1
Hughes, R.W. and Emmett, J.L. (2005) Heat Seeker: UV fluorescence as a gemological tool. The Guide, Vol. 24, No. 5, Part 1, Sept.–Oct., pp. 1, 4–7; RWHL*.
Hughes, R.W., Manorotkul, W. et al. (2017) Ruby & Sapphire: A Gemologist's Guide. Bangkok, Lotus Publishing, 816 pp.; RWHL*.
Laser-Induced-Breakdown-Spectroscopy (LIBS) is used by some gem labs to test for beryllium. Unlike Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectroscopy (LA-ICPMS), the surface is actually melted (rather than ablated), producing the circular rippled mark we see in the center of the girdle on this stone.
Natural Sapphire •
Madagascar •
Enhancements:
Heat (H) •
Lighting Conditions:
Diffuse Overhead
Photographer:
Richard W. Hughes •
Image Number:
A-002-4711-1
One crucial difference between Kashmir sapphires and those from Madagascar or Sri Lanka is that Kashmir sapphires almost never contain yellow staining in their fissures, while such epigenetic stains are common in Madagascar and Sri Lankan stones. The image here shows such a yellow epigenetic stain a Kashmir-like blue sapphire from Madagascar.
Natural Sapphire •
Madagascar •
Enhancements:
None Detected (None) •
Lighting Conditions:
Fiber Optic: Oblique
Photographer:
Richard W. Hughes •
Image Number:
A-002-4410-2
Hughes, R.W., Manorotkul, W. et al. (2017) Ruby & Sapphire: A Gemologist's Guide. Bangkok, Lotus Publishing, 816 pp.; RWHL*.
142 Total Images
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Madagascar 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 Madagascar origin.
Madagascar Sapphire Inclusion Photomicrographs
The Hyperion Madagascar sapphire gallery includes microscopic features documented in sapphires from Madagascar. Each entry is accompanied by descriptive information and, where available, references to the gemological literature.
What Inclusions Can Reveal About Madagascar 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 Madagascar origin.
Hyperion combines inclusion photomicrography with supporting gemological information so that individual features can be compared with documented examples from Madagascar 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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