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Editors Note: Continuing with our tradition of reproducing some of the nuggets from the literature of gems, we are
proud to present this article from Palagems.coms ex-webmaster, Richard Hughes. Hughes is author of Ruby &
Sapphire, one of the finest books ever on a single gem species.
For additional information on sapphire, click the link below:
Palagems.com Sapphire Buying Guide 2001 Richard W. Hughes
My love, she comes in colors.
Arthur Lee, Love
he business of judging precious stones is an eclectic one, not for the timid or shameless. The appraisal ofprecious stones involves decisions both conscious and unconscious. Try as we may to slice, dice and
pigeon-hole the elements of quality, in the end an analysis of their features requires more than just a
formula, just as fine cooking involves not simply ingredients and a recipe. It is about reaching for factors beyond the
immediate senses, and in that respect is quite like enjoyment of fine art, food and music.
While one mans Miles Davis might be anothers Kenny G, there are certain things that the discerning among us
look for. Thus, what I will try to convey to you in the following passages is educated emotion, something to help
separate the long, languid lines of artistic truth from aimless noodling. Here you will find the ingredients, the recipe,
the score. But without the passion that only the viewer himself can bring, both these gems and our time on this
precious planet are a waste.
With that introduction, let us now examine blue sapphires. Here I have a confession to make. Blue is my favoritecolor. I love blue. Thus the following essay is one of love.
Kashmir Blue Velvet
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been mined at Yogo Gulch, Montana (USA), while lesser stones have been produced
elsewhere in Montana. Other sapphire localities include Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi and
Rwanda.
Enhancements.Today, the vast majority of blue sapphires are heat-treated to
improve their appearance. The resulting stones are completely stable in color. In
lower qualities, heat treated stones sell for roughly the same as untreated stones of
the same quality. However, for finer qualities, untreated stones fetch a premiumthat is sometimes 50% or more when compared with treated stones of similar
quality. Other treatments, such as oiling, dying and surface diffusion are seen on
occasion. As with all precious stones, it is a good practice to have any major
purchases tested by a reputable gem lab, such as the GIA or AGTA, to determine if
a gem is enhanced.
Imitations. Synthetic blue sapphires have been produced by the Verneuil process
since about 1908 and cost just pennies per carat. Blue sapphire has also been
produced by the flux, hydrothermal, floating zone and Czochralski processes, but
such stones are rarely encountered. Doublets consisting of natural sapphire crowns
and synthetic sapphire pavilions are fairly common, particularly in mining areas.
Synthetics are also common at the mines, in both rough and cut forms.
Lore. According to Indian astrological beliefs, sapphire is associated with the planet
Saturn. Although the blue sapphire traditionally comes from Sri Lanka and Burma, it
is rarely used in traditional Indian jewelry and Indian jewelers are sometimes
reluctant to handle the stone associated with this powerful planet. Although no
superstitions of this kind are associated with Islam, the gem was not commonly
used even in the Mughal courts. No such fear exists in the West, an sapphire is one
of the most popular of all gems. In the modern Western system, sapphire is the
birthstone of September.
The above stone is a fine example of a
star sapphire. It features a sharp star
and, most importantly, an intense blue
color.
Properties of Blue Sapphire
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Sapphire (a variety of corundum)Composition Al2O3
Hardness (Mohs) 9
Specific Gravity 4.00
Refractive Index 1.7621.770 (0.008) Uniaxial negative
Crystal System Hexagonal (trigonal)
Colors
All except red (ruby)
Pleochroism Strongly dichroic: violetish blue/greenish blue
Phenomena 6 or 12-rayed star
Handling No special care needed
Enhancements Frequently heated; occasionally oiling, dying, surface
diffusion
Synthetic available? Yes
For further information on sapphire, see also:
Kashmir Sapphires The first eyewitness account of the fabled Kashmir
sapphire mines in northern India, 1889, by T.D. LaTouche. Complete with period
and modern photos.
Ruby & Sapphire Deposits of Moung Klung, Siam 1894 account of mining
ruby and sapphire in Thailand. By Henry Louis.
Ruby & Sapphire by Richard W. Hughes, the finest book ever written on the
subject.
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