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.

Your gemstone search

  • Sapphire

    Sapphire

    19,959 ct. | II/E
    GLA
    €48,000.00
  • Sapphire

    Sapphire

    11,420 ct. | V/D
    GLA
    €60,000.00
  • Sapphire

    Sapphire

    10,541 ct. | V/D
    GLA
    €63,000.00
  • Sapphire

    Sapphire

    5,204 ct. | V/C
    GLA
    €20,000.00
  • Sapphire

    Sapphire

    3,011 ct. | V/C
    GLA
    €6,800.00
  • Sapphire

    Sapphire

    1,155 ct. | V/C
    GLA
    €1,600.00
  • Sapphire

    Sapphire

    6,179 ct. | IV/C
    GLA
    €28,000.00
  • Sapphire

    Sapphire

    6,110 ct. | IV/E
    GLA
    €19,000.00
  • Sapphire

    Sapphire

    2,923 ct. | IV/C
    GLA
    €8,000.00
  • Sapphire

    Sapphire

    7,982 ct. | V/D
    GLA
    €34,000.00
  • Sapphire

    Sapphire

    2,094 ct. | II/C
    GLA
    €8,000.00
  • Sapphire

    Sapphire

    5,795 ct. | III/C
    GLA
    €16,800.00
  • Sapphire

    Sapphire

    5,434 ct. | III/C
    GLA
    €15,500.00
  • Sapphire

    Sapphire

    12,678 ct. | III/C
    GLA
    €45,000.00
  • Sapphire

    Sapphire

    2,509 ct. | III/C
    GLA
    €6,800.00
  • Sapphire

    Sapphire

    10,235 ct. | I/C
    GLA
    €45,000.00

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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