Treated Sapphire Inclusions

First Published: 7 September 2026

Treated Sapphire Inclusions

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

This blue sapphire displays distinct hexagonal color zoning, with crystal inclusions occurring within the pale yellow core.
Dense, angular clouds of fine particles cut a striking figure in this heated blue sapphire.
High temperature heat treatment has created irregular, iridescent thin film patterns in this blue sapphire. In the background, clouds of dotted, partially dissolved silk can be observed.
Meteor shower. The high temperature used when treating this blue sapphire from Myanmar (Burma) has resulted in some unusual iridescent fingerprints situated in the basal plane and aligned with the bands of partially dissolved silk remnants.
The melted, bubbly texture of this fingerprint provides evidence that this Montana sapphire was heated. Sample courtesy Mike Gray.
This heated Montana sapphire contains a melted crystal in the center of a bubbly fingerprint. Sample courtesy Mike Gray.
This cluster of melted crystals with a frosty “snowball” appearance and glassy discoid around them is a clear sign that their sapphire host has been heat treated.
This dark blue sapphire from a metamorphic source was sliced thin perpendicular to the c-axis, revealing a pale yellow core with a concentration of transparent birefringent crystals.
Thin film decrepitation inclusions create a firework display in this beryllium diffused orange sapphire. These likely developed as a consequence of the sapphire being heat treated.
Thin film decrepitation inclusions create a firework display in this beryllium diffused orange sapphire. These likely developed as a consequence of the sapphire being heat treated.
Thin film decrepitation inclusions create a firework display in this beryllium diffused orange sapphire. These likely developed as a consequence of the sapphire being heat treated.
Thin film decrepitation inclusions create a firework display in this beryllium diffused orange sapphire. These likely developed as a consequence of the sapphire being heat treated.

Treatment can alter existing inclusions and produce new microscopic features in sapphire. These may include changes to mineral inclusions, altered rutile silk, tension fractures, healed fissures, residues and other features associated with heating, diffusion, fissure filling and other treatment processes.

Treated Sapphire Inclusion Photomicrographs

The Hyperion treated sapphire gallery includes microscopic features documented in natural sapphires subjected to treatment. Each entry identifies the recorded treatment and is accompanied by descriptive information and, where available, references to the gemological literature.

What Inclusions Can Reveal About Sapphire Treatment

Microscopic examination is an important part of detecting treatment in sapphire. The appearance and alteration of inclusions, fractures and growth features can provide evidence of treatment and, in some cases, information about the processes to which a sapphire has been subjected.

Hyperion combines inclusion photomicrography with supporting gemological information so that treatment-related features can be compared with documented examples in natural sapphire.

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