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.
When iron-poor rubies from metamorphic deposits are heat treated, they often develop angular chalky zones when viewed in shortwave ultraviolet light. A great example of this is shown in this photograph, taken with Magilabs Deep Ultraviolet tool.
Natural Ruby •
Not Determinable •
Enhancements:
Heat (H) •
Lighting Conditions:
Ultraviolet: Shortwave
Photographer:
Richard W. Hughes •
Image Number:
A-003-6378-1
Hughes, R.W. and Emmett, J.L. (2005) Heat Seeker: UV fluorescence as a gemological tool. The Guide, Vol. 24, No. 5, Part 1, Sept.–Oct., pp. 1, 4–7; 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 from Central Madagascar, we noticed a large number of prismatic crystals that resembled apatite. Micro Raman testing of four cut through on the surface confirmed that they were fluorapatite. Since apatite has yet to be found in rubies from Mozambique, this provides an excellent means of separation.
Natural Ruby •
Madagascar •
Enhancements:
None Detected (None) •
Lighting Conditions:
Dark Field + Diffuse Fiber Optic
Photographer:
E. Billie Hughes •
Image Number:
A-003-6339-3
• Field of View = 2mm
Hughes, R.W., Manorotkul, W. et al. (2015) Let it bleed: New rubies from Madagascar. Bangkok, Lotus Gemology Co. Ltd., 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 from Central Madagascar, we noticed a large number of prismatic crystals that resembled apatite. Micro Raman testing of four cut through on the surface confirmed that they were fluorapatite. Since apatite has yet to be found in rubies from Mozambique, this provides an excellent means of separation.
Natural Ruby •
Madagascar •
Enhancements:
None Detected (None) •
Lighting Conditions:
Dark Field + Diffuse Overhead Fiber Optic
Photographer:
R.W. Hughes •
Image Number:
A-003-6339-1
• Field of View = 2mm
Hughes, R.W., Manorotkul, W. et al. (2015) Let it bleed: New rubies from Madagascar. Bangkok, Lotus Gemology Co. Ltd., 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 from Central Madagascar, we noticed a large number of prismatic crystals that resembled apatite. Micro Raman testing of four cut through on the surface confirmed that they were fluorapatite. Since apatite has yet to be found in rubies from Mozambique, this provides an excellent means of separation.
Natural Ruby •
Madagascar •
Enhancements:
None Detected (None) •
Lighting Conditions:
Dark Field
Photographer:
R.W. Hughes •
Image Number:
A-003-6339-2
• Field of View = 2mm
Hughes, R.W., Manorotkul, W. et al. (2015) Let it bleed: New rubies from Madagascar. Bangkok, Lotus Gemology Co. Ltd., RWHL*.
Hughes, R.W., Manorotkul, W. and Hughes, E.B. (2017) Ruby & Sapphire: A Gemologist's Guide. Bangkok, Lotus Publishing, 816 pp.; RWHL*.
A ruby was sent to us for testing. It featured rutile silk, mica and some small rounded crystal grains. The inclusion evidence suggested that it could be from either Mozambique or Madagascar. The rounded grains could be amphibole or zircon. So we did micro Raman analysis on the grain pictured here. It turned out to be zircon. As zircon has not been found in Mozambique ruby, but is found in Madagascar ruby, this pointed to the stone as being from Madagascar.
Natural Ruby •
Madagascar •
Enhancements:
None Detected (None) •
Lighting Conditions:
Dark Field
Photographer:
Richard W. Hughes •
Image Number:
A-003-6329-1
• Field of View = 1mm
Hughes, R.W., Manorotkul, W. et al. (2015) Let it bleed: New rubies from Madagascar. Bangkok, Lotus Gemology Co. Ltd., RWHL*.
Hughes, R.W., Manorotkul, W. and Hughes, E.B. (2017) Ruby & Sapphire: A Gemologist's Guide. Bangkok, Lotus Publishing, 816 pp.; RWHL*.
This ruby from central Madagascar featured a large crystal that was cut through on the surface. Using micro Raman, we identified the crystal as phlogopite mica.
Natural Ruby •
Madagascar •
Enhancements:
None Detected (None) •
Lighting Conditions:
Fiber Optic: Diffuse Overhead + Dark Field
Photographer:
Richard W. Hughes •
Image Number:
A-003-6321-1
• Field of View = 2.5mm
Hughes, R.W., Manorotkul, W. and Hughes, E.B. (2017) Ruby & Sapphire: A Gemologist's Guide. Bangkok, Lotus Publishing, 816 pp.; RWHL*.
Hughes, R.W., Manorotkul, W. et al. (2015) Let it bleed: New rubies from Madagascar. Bangkok, Lotus Gemology Co. Ltd., RWHL*.
A strong hexagonal blue core can be seen in this ruby from Mong Hsu, Burma (Myanmar). These blue zones are a common feature of Mong Hsu ruby, and are often removed with heat treatment.
Natural Ruby •
Myanmar (Burma); Mong Hsu •
Enhancements:
None Detected (None) •
Lighting Conditions:
Dark Field
Photographer:
E. Billie Hughes •
Image Number:
A-003-5279-1
• Field of View = 3mm
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.
Hughes, R.W., Manorotkul, W. et al. (2017) Ruby & Sapphire: A Gemologist's Guide. Bangkok, Lotus Publishing, 816 pp.; RWHL*.
One of the most distinctive features of rubies from Afghanistan’s Jegdalek mines are the alternating zones of blue and red color, as shown here. FoV = 7 mm.
Natural Ruby •
Afghanistan •
Enhancements:
None Detected (None) •
Lighting Conditions:
Diffuse Light Field (Transmitted Light)
Photographer:
Richard W. Hughes •
Image Number:
A-003-4797-1
• Field of View = 7mm
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*.
Hughes, R.W., Manorotkul, W. et al. (2017) Ruby & Sapphire: A Gemologist's Guide. Bangkok, Lotus Publishing, 816 pp.; RWHL*.
Rutile “silk” in needles, triangular platelets, and small particles like this is a typical scene found in Mozambique ruby.
Natural Ruby •
Mozambique •
Enhancements:
None Detected (None) •
Lighting Conditions:
Dark Field + Diffuse Fiber Optic
Photographer:
E. Billie Hughes •
Image Number:
A-003-3791-1
• Field of View = 4mm
Hughes, R.W., Manorotkul, W. et al. (2017) Ruby & Sapphire: A Gemologist's Guide. Bangkok, Lotus Publishing, 816 pp.; RWHL*.
Pardieu, V., Sangsawong, S. et al. (2013) Rubies from the Montepuez area (Mozambique). Gemological Institute of America, October 5, 84 pp.; RWHL*.
458 Total Images
Results: 169 – 180 | Page 15 of 39 Pages
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.
Search the Complete Hyperion Database
