Synthetic Ruby Inclusions

E. Billie Hughes

First Published: 7 September 2026

Synthetic Ruby Inclusions

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

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Upon perfunctory observation, the healed fissures suggest that this ruby is heated, but closer observation reveals curved striae, proving that the stone is a quench crackled synthetic ruby.

“Hairpin” or “comet” -type flux inclusions in a Kashan flux-grown synthetic ruby. They are compposed of a larger flux droplet and smaller flux particles forming the tails along the growth direction.

Sharp angular growth zoning is present in this Kashan flux-grown synthetic ruby.

Tiny gas bubbles/particles in a Czochralski-grown synthetic corundum from Union Carbide.

Fine striae in a Czochralski-grown synthetic corundum from Union Carbide.

Growth marks on the basal pinacoid of a Douros synthetic ruby.

Growth marks on the basal pinacoid of a Douros synthetic ruby.

Synthetic Ruby • Flux • Enhancements: None Detected (None) • Lighting Conditions: Dark Field + Overhead Fiber Optic
Photographer: E. Billie Hughes • Image Number: R-001-5855-1

Hughes, R.W., Manorotkul, W. et al. (2017) Ruby & Sapphire: A Gemologist's Guide. Bangkok, Lotus Publishing, 816 pp.; RWHL*.

Hänni, H.A., Schmetzer et al. (1994) Synthetic rubies by Douros: A new challenge for gemologists. Gems & Gemology, Vol. 30, No. 2, Summer, pp. 72–86; RWHL*.

Two-phase primary flux-filled cavities in a Douros synthetic flux ruby.

Two-phase primary flux-filled cavities in a Douros synthetic flux ruby.

Synthetic Ruby • Flux • Enhancements: None Detected (None) • Lighting Conditions: Dark Field
Photographer: E. Billie Hughes • Image Number: R-001-5854-5

Hughes, R.W., Manorotkul, W. et al. (2017) Ruby & Sapphire: A Gemologist's Guide. Bangkok, Lotus Publishing, 816 pp.; RWHL*.

Hänni, H.A., Schmetzer et al. (1994) Synthetic rubies by Douros: A new challenge for gemologists. Gems & Gemology, Vol. 30, No. 2, Summer, pp. 72–86; RWHL*.

Two-phase primary flux-filled cavities in a Douros synthetic flux ruby.

Two-phase primary flux-filled cavities in a Douros synthetic flux ruby.

Synthetic Ruby • Flux • Enhancements: None Detected (None) • Lighting Conditions: Dark Field
Photographer: E. Billie Hughes • Image Number: R-001-5854-4

Hughes, R.W., Manorotkul, W. et al. (2017) Ruby & Sapphire: A Gemologist's Guide. Bangkok, Lotus Publishing, 816 pp.; RWHL*.

Hänni, H.A., Schmetzer et al. (1994) Synthetic rubies by Douros: A new challenge for gemologists. Gems & Gemology, Vol. 30, No. 2, Summer, pp. 72–86; RWHL*.

Two-phase primary flux-filled cavities in a Douros synthetic flux ruby.

Two-phase primary flux-filled cavities in a Douros synthetic flux ruby.

Synthetic Ruby • Flux • Enhancements: None Detected (None) • Lighting Conditions: Dark Field + Diffuse Fiber Optic
Photographer: E. Billie Hughes • Image Number: R-001-5854-2

Hughes, R.W., Manorotkul, W. et al. (2017) Ruby & Sapphire: A Gemologist's Guide. Bangkok, Lotus Publishing, 816 pp.; RWHL*.

Hänni, H.A., Schmetzer et al. (1994) Synthetic rubies by Douros: A new challenge for gemologists. Gems & Gemology, Vol. 30, No. 2, Summer, pp. 72–86; RWHL*.

Two-phase primary flux-filled cavities in a Douros synthetic flux ruby.

Two-phase primary flux-filled cavities in a Douros synthetic flux ruby.

Synthetic Ruby • Flux • Enhancements: None Detected (None) • Lighting Conditions: Dark Field
Photographer: E. Billie Hughes • Image Number: R-001-5854-1

Hughes, R.W., Manorotkul, W. et al. (2017) Ruby & Sapphire: A Gemologist's Guide. Bangkok, Lotus Publishing, 816 pp.; RWHL*.

Hänni, H.A., Schmetzer et al. (1994) Synthetic rubies by Douros: A new challenge for gemologists. Gems & Gemology, Vol. 30, No. 2, Summer, pp. 72–86; RWHL*.

Highly reflective platinum plates shine in this Lechleitner flux-grown synthetic ruby.

The most common inclusions in Knischka rubies are platinum plates (small black triangle at the left) and glassy two-phase inclusions (center). These often exhibit a bipyramidal structure.

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Synthetic Ruby inclusions may include curved striae, curved color banding, gas bubbles, healed fissures, Plato lines, twinning, platinum plates, rain-like flux, primary flux and other features formed during or after crystal growth. Such features are important to gemologists because they can provide evidence useful in identifying Ruby, understanding its geological history, recognizing treatment and, in some cases, determining geographic origin.

Synthetic Ruby Inclusion Photomicrographs

The Hyperion natural Ruby gallery includes microscopic features found in rubies from major deposits around the world. Each entry is accompanied by descriptive information and, where available, references to the gemological literature.

What Inclusions Can Reveal About Synthetic Ruby

Inclusions are an important part of Ruby identification. Their form, composition, orientation and alteration can help gemologists distinguish natural Ruby from synthetic material, recognize evidence of heat treatment, and study the geological environment in which the Ruby formed.

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

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