Natural 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.
Undissolved rutile silk in a ruby believed to originate from Mozambique’s Montepuez mines.
Natural Ruby •
Mozambique •
Enhancements:
None Detected (None) •
Lighting Conditions:
Fiber Optic: Diffuse Overhead
Photographer:
Richard W. Hughes •
Image Number:
A-003-7209-3
• Field of View = 2mm
Pardieu, V., Sangsawong, S. et al. (2013) Rubies from the Montepuez area (Mozambique). Gemological Institute of America, October 5, 84 pp.; RWHL*.
Hughes, R.W., Manorotkul, W. and Hughes, E.B. (2017) Ruby & Sapphire: A Gemologist's Guide. Bangkok, Lotus Publishing, 816 pp.; RWHL*.
In this ruby believed to originate from Mozambique’s Montepuez mines, we noticed rounded crystal grains within the gem that proved to be pargasite. However, there were two crystals cut through on the surface. Micro Raman analysis showed each of them to be bussyite-(Ce). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time this mineral has been reported as an inclusion in corundum from any locality.
Natural Ruby •
Mozambique •
Enhancements:
None Detected (None) •
Lighting Conditions:
Dark Field + Diffuse Overhead Fiber Optic
Photographer:
Richard W. Hughes •
Image Number:
A-003-7209-2
• Field of View = 2mm
Pardieu, V., Sangsawong, S. et al. (2013) Rubies from the Montepuez area (Mozambique). Gemological Institute of America, October 5, 84 pp.; RWHL*.
Hughes, R.W., Manorotkul, W. and Hughes, E.B. (2017) Ruby & Sapphire: A Gemologist's Guide. Bangkok, Lotus Publishing, 816 pp.; RWHL*.
In this ruby believed to originate from Mozambique’s Montepuez mines, we noticed rounded crystal grains within the gem that proved to be pargasite. However, there were two crystals cut through on the surface. Micro Raman analysis showed each of them to be bussyite-(Ce). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time this mineral has been reported as an inclusion in corundum from any locality.
Natural Ruby •
Mozambique •
Enhancements:
None Detected (None) •
Lighting Conditions:
Dark Field + Diffuse Overhead Fiber Optic
Photographer:
Richard W. Hughes •
Image Number:
A-003-7209-1
• Field of View = 20mm
Pardieu, V., Sangsawong, S. et al. (2013) Rubies from the Montepuez area (Mozambique). Gemological Institute of America, October 5, 84 pp.; RWHL*.
Hughes, R.W., Manorotkul, W. and Hughes, E.B. (2017) Ruby & Sapphire: A Gemologist's Guide. Bangkok, Lotus Publishing, 816 pp.; RWHL*.
In this ruby believed to be from Afghanistan’s Jegdalek mines, a colorless mineral was cut through on the surface. Micro Raman analysis revealed it to be calcite.
Natural Ruby •
Afghanistan; Jegdalek •
Enhancements:
None Detected (None) •
Lighting Conditions:
Fiber Optic: Oblique
Photographer:
Wimon Manorotkul •
Image Number:
A-003-7035-5
• Field of View = 4mm
Bowersox, G.W., Foord, E.E. et al. (2000) Ruby and sapphire from Jegdalek, Afghanistan. Gems & Gemology, Vol. 36, No. 2, Summer, pp. 110–126; RWHL*.
Gübelin, E.J. and Koivula, J.I. (2008) Photoatlas of Inclusions in Gemstones, Volume 3. Basel, Switzerland, Opinio Publishers, 672 pp.; RWHL*.
Hughes, R.W., Manorotkul, W. and Hughes, E.B. (2017) Ruby & Sapphire: A Gemologist's Guide. Bangkok, Lotus Publishing, 816 pp.; RWHL*.
In this ruby believed to be from Afghanistan’s Jegdalek mines, a colorless mineral was cut through on the surface. Micro Raman analysis revealed it to be calcite.
Natural Ruby •
Afghanistan; Jegdalek •
Enhancements:
None Detected (None) •
Lighting Conditions:
Fiber Optic: Diffuse Overhead
Photographer:
Wimon Manorotkul •
Image Number:
A-003-7035-4
• Field of View = 4mm
Bowersox, G.W., Foord, E.E. et al. (2000) Ruby and sapphire from Jegdalek, Afghanistan. Gems & Gemology, Vol. 36, No. 2, Summer, pp. 110–126; RWHL*.
Gübelin, E.J. and Koivula, J.I. (2008) Photoatlas of Inclusions in Gemstones, Volume 3. Basel, Switzerland, Opinio Publishers, 672 pp.; RWHL*.
Hughes, R.W., Manorotkul, W. and Hughes, E.B. (2017) Ruby & Sapphire: A Gemologist's Guide. Bangkok, Lotus Publishing, 816 pp.; RWHL*.
In this ruby believed to be from Afghanistan’s Jegdalek mines, dark orange to black tetragonal prisms were seen. We used micro Raman on one cut through at the surface to confirm its identity as primary rutile. In addition, there were several rounded transparent crystals. The one at the center of this photomicrograph proved to be zircon.
Natural Ruby •
Afghanistan; Jegdalek •
Enhancements:
None Detected (None) •
Lighting Conditions:
Fiber Optic: Diffuse Oblique
Photographer:
Wimon Manorotkul •
Image Number:
A-003-7035-3
• Field of View = 1mm
Bowersox, G.W., Foord, E.E. et al. (2000) Ruby and sapphire from Jegdalek, Afghanistan. Gems & Gemology, Vol. 36, No. 2, Summer, pp. 110–126; RWHL*.
Gübelin, E.J. and Koivula, J.I. (2008) Photoatlas of Inclusions in Gemstones, Volume 3. Basel, Switzerland, Opinio Publishers, 672 pp.; RWHL*.
Hughes, R.W., Manorotkul, W. and Hughes, E.B. (2017) Ruby & Sapphire: A Gemologist's Guide. Bangkok, Lotus Publishing, 816 pp.; RWHL*.
In this ruby believed to be from Afghanistan’s Jegdalek mines, dark orange to black tetragonal prisms were seen. We used micro Raman on one cut through at the surface to confirm its identity as primary rutile.
Natural Ruby •
Afghanistan; Jegdalek •
Enhancements:
None Detected (None) •
Lighting Conditions:
Fiber Optic: Diffuse Overhead
Photographer:
Wimon Manorotkul •
Image Number:
A-003-7035-2
• Field of View = 2mm
Bowersox, G.W., Foord, E.E. et al. (2000) Ruby and sapphire from Jegdalek, Afghanistan. Gems & Gemology, Vol. 36, No. 2, Summer, pp. 110–126; RWHL*.
Gübelin, E.J. and Koivula, J.I. (2008) Photoatlas of Inclusions in Gemstones, Volume 3. Basel, Switzerland, Opinio Publishers, 672 pp.; RWHL*.
Hughes, R.W., Manorotkul, W. and Hughes, E.B. (2017) Ruby & Sapphire: A Gemologist's Guide. Bangkok, Lotus Publishing, 816 pp.; RWHL*.
In this ruby believed to be from Afghanistan’s Jegdalek mines, dark orange to black tetragonal prisms were seen. We used micro Raman on one cut through at the surface to confirm its identity as primary rutile.
Natural Ruby •
Afghanistan; Jegdalek •
Enhancements:
None Detected (None) •
Lighting Conditions:
Fiber Optic: Diffuse Oblique
Photographer:
Wimon Manorotkul •
Image Number:
A-003-7035-1
• Field of View = 2mm
Bowersox, G.W., Foord, E.E. et al. (2000) Ruby and sapphire from Jegdalek, Afghanistan. Gems & Gemology, Vol. 36, No. 2, Summer, pp. 110–126; RWHL*.
Gübelin, E.J. and Koivula, J.I. (2008) Photoatlas of Inclusions in Gemstones, Volume 3. Basel, Switzerland, Opinio Publishers, 672 pp.; RWHL*.
Hughes, R.W., Manorotkul, W. and Hughes, E.B. (2017) Ruby & Sapphire: A Gemologist's Guide. Bangkok, Lotus Publishing, 816 pp.; RWHL*.
Prior to heat treatment, most rubies from Mong Hsu, Myanmar display a deep blue core. Here it appears in a “V” shape.
Natural Ruby •
Myanmar (Burma); Mong Hsu •
Enhancements:
None Detected (None) •
Lighting Conditions:
Dark Field
Photographer:
E. Billie Hughes •
Image Number:
A-003-7061-2
• Field of View = 3.5mm
Smith, C.P. and Surdez, N. (1994) The Mong Hsu ruby: A new type of Burmese ruby. JewelSiam, Vol. 4, No. 6, Dec–Jan, pp. 82–98; RWHL.
Peretti, A., Schmetzer, K. et al. (1995) Rubies from Mong Hsu. Gems & Gemology, Vol. 31, No. 1, Spring, pp. 2–26; RWHL*.
Hughes, R.W., Manorotkul, W. and Hughes, E.B. (2017) Ruby & Sapphire: A Gemologist's Guide. Bangkok, Lotus Publishing, 816 pp.; RWHL*.
Prior to heat treatment, most rubies from Mong Hsu, Myanmar display a deep blue core, as shown here in classic form.
Natural Ruby •
Myanmar (Burma); Mong Hsu •
Enhancements:
None Detected (None) •
Lighting Conditions:
Diffuse Light Field + Blue Filter
Photographer:
E. Billie Hughes •
Image Number:
A-003-7047-4
• Field of View = 5mm
Smith, C.P. and Surdez, N. (1994) The Mong Hsu ruby: A new type of Burmese ruby. JewelSiam, Vol. 4, No. 6, Dec–Jan, pp. 82–98; RWHL.
Peretti, A., Schmetzer, K. et al. (1995) Rubies from Mong Hsu. Gems & Gemology, Vol. 31, No. 1, Spring, pp. 2–26; RWHL*.
Hughes, R.W., Manorotkul, W. and Hughes, E.B. (2017) Ruby & Sapphire: A Gemologist's Guide. Bangkok, Lotus Publishing, 816 pp.; RWHL*.
Prior to heat treatment, most rubies from Mong Hsu, Myanmar display a deep blue core, as shown here in classic form.
Natural Ruby •
Myanmar (Burma); Mong Hsu •
Enhancements:
None Detected (None) •
Lighting Conditions:
Dark Field
Photographer:
E. Billie Hughes •
Image Number:
A-003-7047-3
• Field of View = 4mm
Smith, C.P. and Surdez, N. (1994) The Mong Hsu ruby: A new type of Burmese ruby. JewelSiam, Vol. 4, No. 6, Dec–Jan, pp. 82–98; RWHL.
Peretti, A., Schmetzer, K. et al. (1995) Rubies from Mong Hsu. Gems & Gemology, Vol. 31, No. 1, Spring, pp. 2–26; RWHL*.
Hughes, R.W., Manorotkul, W. and Hughes, E.B. (2017) Ruby & Sapphire: A Gemologist's Guide. Bangkok, Lotus Publishing, 816 pp.; RWHL*.
Prior to heat treatment, most rubies from Mong Hsu, Myanmar display a deep blue core surrounded by layers of cottony diaspore silk, as shown here in classic form.
Natural Ruby •
Myanmar (Burma); Mong Hsu •
Enhancements:
None Detected (None) •
Lighting Conditions:
Fiber Optic: Oblique
Photographer:
Richard W. Hughes •
Image Number:
A-003-7047-2
• Field of View = 2.5mm
Smith, C.P. and Surdez, N. (1994) The Mong Hsu ruby: A new type of Burmese ruby. JewelSiam, Vol. 4, No. 6, Dec–Jan, pp. 82–98; RWHL.
Peretti, A., Schmetzer, K. et al. (1995) Rubies from Mong Hsu. Gems & Gemology, Vol. 31, No. 1, Spring, pp. 2–26; RWHL*.
Hughes, R.W., Manorotkul, W. and Hughes, E.B. (2017) Ruby & Sapphire: A Gemologist's Guide. Bangkok, Lotus Publishing, 816 pp.; RWHL*.
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Natural ruby inclusions may include mineral crystals, rutile silk, healed fissures, fluid inclusions, negative crystals, color zoning 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.
Natural 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 Natural 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.
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