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.

A fine fissure radiates out from this crystal in a Madagascar ruby, creating a rainbow-like halo around it.
A dendritic healing pattern creates leaf-like imagery inside this untreated Mogok ruby.
This ruby had a cavity that was filled with glass where small rounded gas bubbles can be seen.
These tiny transparent crystals with irregular black material inside are a common feature in Tajik ruby.
Small rosettes and exsolved particles decorate the interior of this Tajik ruby.
A crystal is suspended in a rosette “halo” in this untreated Tajik ruby.
This spall mark, an irregularity on the surface of the ruby, was a result of heat treatment.
When a Mozambique ruby is heated, the silk may start to break down, resulting in a mottled appearance on the platelets.
When a Mozambique ruby is heated, the silk may start to break down, resulting in a mottled appearance on the platelets.
A rosette forms a shimmering halo around this mica crystal in a Mozambique ruby.
A chalcopyrite crystal shines with a hot pink glow in this untreated Mozambique ruby.
This ruby has been treated with red oil to disguise the appearance of fissures. Here it has been trapped in a cavity with a large gas bubble.

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