Sri Lanka

The "Sri Lanka" or "Ceylon" sapphire comes from what is probably the oldest known locality for the blue corundum type. It is said that the legendary "Queen of Sheba" already mined in these mines. The stones usually have few inclusions and have always been excellent for jewellery because of their purity. Besides the "classic" blue sapphire, there are two other specialities found in Sri Lanka: Star sapphire and Padparadscha. The star sapphire shows so-called "asterism": A suitable cabochon cut brings to light a waving star on the outside of the mostly opaque or translucent stone. Padparadscha is a corundum variety in the colour orange-pink.

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Facts

properties of sapphire

  • Belongs mineralogically to corundum
  • Hardness grade 9
  • Chemical formula: Al2O3
  • Includes all colors except red, red corundum is called "ruby
  • Coloration generally by metal oxides (e.g. blue: titanium oxide)
  • High density of 3.9 - 4.1

origin

worth knowing

  • Oldest known locality: Burma
  • The legendary place of discovery: "Kashmir"
  • Assigned to the planet Saturn
  • Besides blue, pink sapphire is especially sought after: "hot pink".
  • The most recently discovered localities are Madagascar and Ethiopia

investment in sapphire

  • second most suitable of all gemstones for investment
  • less rare than ruby but also strongly increasing in value
  • Stones should have at least 1 ct weight, better from 3 ct.
  • larger stones have higher increase in value
  • Experts reckon with 6% increase in value per year
  • beautiful sparkling sapphires are preferable
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