Treated Ruby Inclusions

First Published: 7 September 2026

Treated Ruby Inclusions

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

The rounded gas bubble in the corner of this cavity is a clue that the cavity has been filled with glass. Some of the melted fingerprints in the background also suggest that their ruby host was heated.
When the fissure in this ruby is illuminated with a longwave UV torch, a dendritic pattern where filler is present can be easily seen.
Viewed in transmitted light, the fissure in this ruby displays a subtle dendritic pattern.
When illuminated with a long wave UV torch, the filler in this ruby becomes easy to spot with a chalky appearance.
Bubbles can be observed in the filler that is present in the cavity in this ruby.
This cavity in a ruby was filled with a yellowish, waxy substance, probably dopping varnish. In transmitted light, we can observe a slight difference in color between the filler and the surrounding ruby.
When illuminated with a longwave ultraviolet torch, an area filled with waxy varnish displayed a chalky appearance on this ruby.
A combination of fillers of different lusters can be observed on the surface of this ruby. On the top left, the lower luster area is glass filling. On the bottom right, the area displayed could be easily scratched, and was likely dopping varnish or a similar substance.
Several crystals in this ruby from Madagascar are surrounded by small reflective fissures.
A small crystal with a shiny discoid attached can be seen clearly against a backdrop of orange color zoning in this ruby from Madagascar.
“Saturn inclusion” type crystals, as seen here, are a hallmark of Thai/Cambodian ruby. Although we were unable to identify the composition of the whole crystal, the black spots on the surface were identified as magnetite with micro Raman.
Thin films, as seen here, are a classic inclusion in Thai/Cambodian ruby.

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

Treated Ruby Inclusion Photomicrographs

The Hyperion treated ruby gallery includes microscopic features documented in natural rubies 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 Ruby Treatment

Microscopic examination is an important part of detecting treatment in ruby. 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 ruby has been subjected.

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

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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