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 cluster of calcite crystals, identified with micro Raman, is suspended in this ruby from Myanmar. Calcite is a common inclusion in ruby from the Mogok area.
Several transparent crystals are present in this inclusion scene, shown here between crossed polars. The interference colors we see demonstrate that the crystals are doubly refractive. Analysis with micro Raman identified these crystals as calcite.
Several transparent crystals are present in this inclusion scene, shown here with dark field illumination. Analysis with micro Raman identified these crystals as calcite.
Several transparent crystals are present in this inclusion scene, shown here with light field illumination. Analysis with micro Raman identified these crystals as calcite.
A cluster of transparent calcite crystals are visible in this ruby from Myanmar.
A crystal with metallic luster stands out in this unheated ruby.
A crystal with metallic luster stands out in this unheated ruby. When illuminated with a fiber optic light we can see “rosettes” of thin films around the crystal.
Iridescent fingerprint in a ruby from the Thai/Cambodian border.
Rose channels in Thai/Cambodian ruby. These are often confused with rutile silk in corundum, but they are easily distinguished as they run in entirely different crystallographic directions. Rutile silk unmixes in three intersecting directions (60/120°) parallel to the faces of the hexagonal prism in the plane of the basal pinacoid (90° to the c-axis). In contrast, Rose channels form parallel to the edges of the rhombohedron, in three directions, but only two in the same place, oblique to the c-axis. They intersect at 86.1/93.9°.
The pictured Madagascar ruby contains a prismatic yellow crystal. Micro Raman analysis identified this as apatite. Apatite is found in corundum from many localities.
Growth tubes like these can often be spotted in rubies from Tanzania’s Winza region. Note also the fine, zoned particle clouds in the corner.
A small, transparent crystal stands out next to a light dusting of silk in this Mozambique 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.

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