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Sapphires |
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Sapphire is the non red variety of the mineral corundum,
an aluminium oxide. The mineral corundum consists of pure
aluminium oxide. Trace amounts of other elements such as iron,
titanium and chromium give corundum their blue, yellow, pink,
purple, orange or greenish colour. Sapphire includes any
gemstone quality varieties of the mineral corundum except the
fully saturated red variety, which is instead known as
Ruby, and the pinkish-orange variety known as
padparadscha. Although blue is considered the normal colour for sapphires, they can be found across a full range of spectral colours as well as brown, colourless grey and black. Those other than blue in colour are considered fancy colour sapphires. Some natural sapphires can be found as completely transparent, or "white". White sapphires usually come out of the ground as light grey or brown and are then heated to make them clear. However, in very rare circumstances they will be found in a clear state. |
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422 ct Logan Sapphire image by Thomas Ruedas |
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A Star sapphire is a type of sapphire that exhibits a star-like
phenomenon known as asterism. Star sapphires contain
intersecting needle-like inclusions (often the mineral rutile)
that cause the appearance of a six-rayed star shaped pattern
when viewed with a single overhead light sources. The value of a star sapphire depends not only on the carat weight of the stone but also the colour, visibility and intensity of the asterism. Sapphires are mined from alluvial deposits or from primary underground workings. The finest specimens are mined in Sri Lanka. The famous Logan Sapphire and the Star of Bombay both originate from Sri Lankan mines. World class sapphires are also mined in Thailand and Mogok, Myanmar. |
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| Star Sapphire 182 ct Star of Bombay |
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