Kashmir

The legendary "Kashmir Sapphire" comes from the Himalayan region in India; the site was exposed in the 19th century by a landslide and dried up again after only a few years. Nevertheless, this type of corundum is famous for its quality. The stones became known for a certain pleasant colour and for their "drowsy appearance"; which describes the inclusions with thin Rutile-needles which can be observed in the gemstones and give them a slightly misty appearance. The shades of blue sapphires from Kashmir and, for example, Sri Lanka are similar, but clearly distinguishable to the expert.