Tanzanian Ruby Inclusions
Explore Tanzanian ruby inclusions in Hyperion, the Lotus Gemology inclusion database. Hyperion contains photomicrographs of inclusions and internal features in natural rubies from Tanzanianland, documented with information on treatment, lighting conditions, field of view, photographer and published references.
Surface conformal yellow color rim resulting from beryllium lattice diffusion. Also melted crystals, with titanium internal diffusion (blue areas).
Natural Ruby •
Tanzania; Songea •
Enhancements:
Heat + Diffusion of external coloring agents (H-D) •
Lighting Conditions:
Diffuse Light Field (Transmitted Light)
Photographer:
Richard W. Hughes •
Image Number:
A-001-2685-1
• Field of View = 11mm
Emmett, J.L., Scarratt, K. et al. (2003) Beryllium diffusion of ruby and sapphire. Gems & Gemology, Vol. 39, No. 2, Summer, pp. 84–135; RWHL*.
Hughes, R.W. (2002) The Skin Game: Orange sapphire treatment raises controversy. The Guide, Vol. 21, No. 2, Part 1, March–April, pp. 3–7; RWHL*.
This untreated ruby from Tanzania’s Winza mines shows unusual long needle inclusions.
Natural Ruby •
Tanzania •
Enhancements:
None Detected (None) •
Lighting Conditions:
Fiber Optic: Oblique
Photographer:
Richard W. Hughes •
Image Number:
A-001-0951-1
Schwarz, D., Pardieu, V. et al. (2008) Rubies and sapphires from Winza, central Tanzania. Gems & Gemology, Vol. 44, No. 4, Winter, pp. 322–347; RWHL*.
Peretti, A., Peretti, F. et al. (2008) Winza rubies identified. Contributions to Gemology, Vol. 7, pp. 1–97; RWHL*.
Rubies from Tanzania’s Winza mines often display blue color zones. This is a particularly fine example.
Natural Ruby •
Tanzania; Winza •
Enhancements:
None Detected (None) •
Lighting Conditions:
Fiber Optic: Transmitted
Photographer:
Richard W. Hughes •
Image Number:
A-001-0537-1
Schwarz, D., Pardieu, V. et al. (2008) Rubies and sapphires from Winza, central Tanzania. Gems & Gemology, Vol. 44, No. 4, Winter, pp. 322–347; RWHL*.
Peretti, A., Peretti, F. et al. (2008) Winza rubies identified. Contributions to Gemology, Vol. 7, pp. 1–97; RWHL*.
Iron-rich silk seen in reflected light in this ruby from Tanzania’s Umba Valley.
Natural Ruby •
Tanzania; Umba Valley •
Enhancements:
None Detected (None) •
Lighting Conditions:
Fiber Optic: Diffuse Overhead
Photographer:
Richard W. Hughes •
Image Number:
A-001-0488-2
Gunawardene, M. (1984) Reddish-brown sapphires from Umba Valley, Tanzania. Journal of Gemmology, Vol. 19, No. 2, April, pp. 139–144; RWHL.
Zwaan, P.C. (1974) Garnet, corundum, and other gem minerals from Umba, Tanzania. Scripta Geologica, Vol. 20, pp. 19–30; RWHL*.
Hänni, H.A. (1987) On corundums from Umba Valley, Tanzania. Journal of Gemmology, Vol. 20, No. 5, January, pp. 278–284; RWHL*.
Iron-rich silk seen in transmitted light in this ruby from Tanzania’s Umba Valley.
Natural Ruby •
Tanzania; Umba Valley •
Enhancements:
None Detected (None) •
Lighting Conditions:
Diffuse Light Field (Transmitted Light)
Photographer:
Richard W. Hughes •
Image Number:
A-001-0488-1
Gunawardene, M. (1984) Reddish-brown sapphires from Umba Valley, Tanzania. Journal of Gemmology, Vol. 19, No. 2, April, pp. 139–144; RWHL.
Zwaan, P.C. (1974) Garnet, corundum, and other gem minerals from Umba, Tanzania. Scripta Geologica, Vol. 20, pp. 19–30; RWHL*.
Hänni, H.A. (1987) On corundums from Umba Valley, Tanzania. Journal of Gemmology, Vol. 20, No. 5, January, pp. 278–284; RWHL*.
18 Total Images
Results: 13 – 18 | Page 2 of 2 Pages
Tanzanian ruby 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 ruby and evaluating a possible Tanzanian origin.
Tanzanian Ruby Inclusion Photomicrographs
The Hyperion Tanzanian ruby gallery includes microscopic features documented in rubies from Tanzanianland and the Tanzanianland–Cambodia border region. Each entry is accompanied by descriptive information and, where available, references to the gemological literature.
What Inclusions Can Reveal About Tanzanian 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 Tanzanian origin.
Hyperion combines inclusion photomicrography with supporting gemological information so that individual features can be compared with documented examples from Tanzanian 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
