Faceted Sapphire from Sri Lanka – Precision Faceted Cut – 1.81 ct
Locality: Sri Lanka
Weight: 1.81 ct
Dimensions: 8.49 x 6.35 x 4.75 mm
Color: blue-violet
A gemmological certificate is included.
Natural faceted sapphire from Sri Lanka with a precisely executed faceted cut. The facets are regular, precisely aligned and meet cleanly. The high-quality cut enhances the color, brilliance and overall appearance of the stone. The photographs show the exact sapphire you will receive.
The stone contains a visible inclusion, which is reflected in the price.
| Category: | Broušené safíry |
|---|---|
| Color: | Blue-violet |
Sapphire – one of the world's most valuable gemstones
Sapphire is one of the best-known and most valuable gemstones in the world. It is the gemstone variety of the mineral corundum, whose chemical composition is aluminium oxide (Al₂O₃). With a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale, sapphire is one of the hardest natural minerals and ranks just below diamond in terms of durability. Sapphire crystallizes in the trigonal crystal system and typically forms hexagonal barrel-shaped or columnar crystals.
Colors of sapphires
Although most people associate sapphire with a blue gemstone, sapphires occur in a wide range of colors. In addition to blue, they can be yellow, pink, green, violet, orange or completely colorless. The only exception is red – red corundum is classified as ruby. The color of sapphire is influenced by trace amounts of various chemical elements. Blue coloration is mainly caused by the presence of iron and titanium, while pink shades are produced by chromium. This wide variety of colors makes sapphires highly attractive to collectors and gemstone enthusiasts.
Padparadscha – the rarest colored variety
Among the most sought-after sapphires is the Padparadscha variety, characterized by a combination of pink and orange hues. The name comes from Sinhalese and refers to the color of the lotus blossom. The best-known deposits of this variety are located in Sri Lanka, with smaller quantities also coming from Madagascar and Tanzania.
Formation of sapphires
Sapphires form under high pressures and temperatures during metamorphic and magmatic processes. They are most commonly found in aluminium-rich metamorphic rocks or in basaltic volcanic rocks. Due to their high resistance to weathering, sapphires are often released from their host rocks and accumulate in river and gravel deposits, where they are subsequently mined.
Major deposits
Sapphires are mined in many parts of the world, with Sri Lanka being one of the most important producers, renowned for high-quality blue, yellow and pink sapphires. Madagascar has also become one of the world's major producers of these gemstones in recent decades. Significant deposits are also found in Myanmar, known for highly valued blue sapphires, and in Australia, which is especially known for its dark blue sapphires. Tanzania is another important African source, producing sapphires in a wide range of colors, including rare varieties.
Star sapphires
Some sapphires contain fine inclusions of the mineral rutile in the form of microscopic needles. When cut as a cabochon, they can display an optical effect known as asterism, creating a six-rayed or twelve-rayed star. These star sapphires are highly valued by collectors.
Interesting facts
The largest sapphire crystals ever discovered have weighed hundreds of kilograms. Some exceptional specimens are now part of major museum collections and private collections. Together with ruby, sapphire represents the most valuable gemstone variety of corundum and has been among the world's most sought-after gemstones for centuries.