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.

Two crystals with particle trails jet through the depths of a ruby from Afghanistan’s Jegdalek mines. Such particle trails are common next to included crystals as the solids act as a shadow to trap matter as the gem grows in the direction of the trails.
In this heated and fissure-healed ruby from Myanmar, a surface cavity is filled with glass. The glass can be identified by the large gas bubble at the lower part of the cavity.
In this heated and fissure-healed ruby from Myanmar, a surface cavity is filled with glass. The glass can be identified by its lower luster.
Euhedral crystals of unknown identity in ruby.
Deep red crystals were found in a Madagascar ruby. Examination with Lotus Gemology’s micro Raman identified them as the mineral staurolite. This is the first example of staurolite found in corundum. These examples are surrounded by what appears to be small zircon crystals.
Deep red crystals were found in a Madagascar ruby. Examination with Lotus Gemology’s micro Raman identified them as the mineral staurolite. This is the first example of staurolite found in corundum.
Deep red crystals were found in a Madagascar ruby. Examination with Lotus Gemology’s micro Raman identified them as the mineral staurolite. This is the first example of staurolite found in corundum.
Spall marks on a natural on the girdle of this Thai/Cambodian ruby reveal the heated nature of this stone.
Thai/Cambodian rubies like this often show thin film inclusions that light up under fiber optic illumination.
Drippy, melty fingerprints are a hallmark of flux heated corundum.
The unusual appearance and different lusters on the surface of this stone are signs that it has some glass filling.
Melted crystals are surrounded by runny channels in the heat-altered fingerprints in this Thai/Cambodian ruby.

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