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.
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.