What Is Sapphire Gem

Sapphires are a precious gemstone that belongs to the corundum mineral family. Generally transparent and comes in almost all shades of colour. Trace elements of iron, chromium, titanium, and vanadium in the crystal structure give it a different colour during formation. The red variety of sapphire is called ruby, while the other ones come under the umbrella of sapphire. This common mineral composition tells us that ruby and sapphire are the same substance; only the colour and naming are different.

Physical Properties

Chemical composition—Aluminium Oxide (Al₂O₃)

Hardness—9 on the Mohs scale

S. G. – 3.96 – 4.01

R. I.—1.76–1.77

Luster—Vitreous (glass-like)

Crystal system—Trigonal

Origin History

The name “sapphire” comes from the Latin word “sapphirus.” It is also assumed that the name originates from the Sanskrit word “Kuruvinda.”

It comes from various part in the word includeing Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Thailand, Australia, the U.S., India, etc. Currently, the main source of sapphire origin is Ceylon (renamed Sri Lanka in 1972). This is also the oldest source of its origin. Sapphire from Sri Lanka has been used since as early as 480 B.C. Around 1980, about 70 to 75 percent of sapphire came from Australia. A new mining area in Madagascar, found in the early nineties, currently produces about 20 percent of sapphires.

Appearance of Different Mines Sapphire

Australian sapphire generally has too inky or greenish hue. As a result, Australian sapphires are considered lower quality in the market. Sapphires from Sri Lanka are generally larger and clearer, and are also famous for their fancy shades. Kashmir sapphires are at the top of this list for their royal, bright colour with a velvety appearance. The best blue sapphire till now was found in 1881 in Kashmir, India. But this deposit was completely exhausted by 1930.

Major Treatments in Sapphire

Heat, fracture/glass filling—very common treatment

Irradiation, Diffusion, Beryllium Treatment—Less common treatment

About 90 percent of sapphire undergoes treatment in today’s era. Treatments like irradiation and heat are not harmful to the human body or radioactive, but sometimes the colour may fade when exposed to heat and light, especially yellow sapphire. So less desirable for the buyer and has less astrological effects. Unheated/untreated sapphires over 10 carats, which are microscopically clean, are hard to find.

Pleochroism and Fluorescence in Sapphire

Sapphires are dichroic stones by nature (have pleochroism), so they sometimes show different colors (2, 3, or more) when viewed from different angles. The difference always tends towards light to dark of the same shade, not different colours. Besides this, some sapphires may have fluorescence, and due to this, the stone glows in different colours in ultraviolet light (UV) or in different lighting. Both pleochroism and fluorescence are different things.

( 11 Different Types of Sapphire Gemstone )

1. Blue Sapphire

One of the popular shades of sapphire, the blue colour shade is called blue sapphire (neelam in Hindi). colour range from pale light blue to dark blue. The blue hue is due to the presence of trace elements iron and titanium in the crystal structure. The most valued blue sapphire has a rich cornflower colour with a slightly violetish hue. It is associated with Saturn (“shani”) in Vedic astrology.

The interesting thing is that a blue sapphire with some specific inclusion is still highly desirable and valued, provided the stone’s beauty, colour, and brilliance are not lacking. example: silk in Kashmiri sapphire. Infect tiny silk and flour inclusions increase blue sapphire value by giving a velvety or sleepy appearance.

2. Yellow Sapphire

The yellow colour shade of sapphire is called yellow sapphire (pukhraj in Hindi). Colour ranges from light to dark yellow, golden, and yellowish orange shades. The yellow colour is due to the presence of trace elements iron, in the crystal structure. Sometimes, trace element titanium gives it a greenish hue, too.
This is the most prized stone among all yellow coloured gemstones and is associated with planet Bhraspati (“Guru”) in Vedic astrology.
Currently, the Sri Lankan mine is considered the best.

3. Ruby/ Red Sapphire

Ruby (manik in Hindi) is the red colour of sapphire. Colour range from red to dark red. The red colour is due to the presence of a high level of trace element chromium in the crystal structure. It is associated with Sun (“surya”) in Vedic astrology. The most valuable rubies can show intense red colour with a velvety effect, and can show strong fluorescence.

The most well-known origin source for ruby is Myanmar (old name as Burma) and Sri Lanka. Myanmar has been providing the highest-grade ruby for centuries. In Burma, there are two main mines named Mogok (approximately 1000 years old) and Mong Hsu (found in the early nineties). Remember that only mogok mines rubies are too costly, not from Mong Hsu. Price for burmies’ rubies are premium due to their limited availability and unique beauty.
Sri Lankan rubies are generally brighter, clearer, and bigger in size.

The Asian market can include some pink shade of sapphire in ruby, but in the European and North American markets, pink corundum is considered pink sapphire, and only red colour (light to dark) is considered ruby.

4. White Sapphire /Colourless

It is a colourless or milky variety of sapphire. Sometimes used as a diamond alternative because of its white appearance, high hardness, a budget-friendly option. In Vedic astrology, it is associated with purity and a new beginning.

Unlike other sapphires, it is free from all impurities (iron, chromium, titanium, and vanadium), which gives colour to sapphire and other variants. Due to the lack of colour, this brilliant gem shows dazzling fire (rainbow colour effect) if cut properly.

Colourless and white sapphire are different. Colorless shows no colour with high fire (rainbow effect), whereas white sapphire shows a milky appearance.

5. Purple Sapphire

Comes in various shades of purple: bluish purple, purple, purplish red, light lavender to deep redish purple. The colour is due to the presence of trace elements iron and titanium in the crystal structure. The specific combination of these two determines the final shade.

In Vedic astrology, it is called khuni neelam and is associated with planet Saturn (“Shani”). It is believed that it is the fastest reacting gemstone among all. Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Tanzania, and Kenya are the main mines of this. These sapphires are generally untreated, showcasing their natural colour.

6. Pink Sapphire

Also called “Gulabi neelam” in Hindi. This sapphire is associated with love and believed to promote forgiveness. Colour ranges from light bubblegum pink to dark pink and even a deep magenta.

The pink colour is due to chromium in its structure. Low chromium will make a pink sapphire, and a very high concentration of chromium will make a ruby. Differentiating between pink sapphire and light colour ruby is difficult because it is characterized only by the saturation of colour.

This stone was scarce because it was found only in Sri Lanka, but around 1990, a new deposit was found in Madagascar, so now widely available. Madagascar, srilanka, Myanmar, and East Africa are the main sources of this.

7. Padparadscha Sapphire

An extremely rare and valuable sapphire, popular for its unique salmon colour (a blend of pink and orange). Its name is derived from a pinkish-orange lotus flower (Nelumbo nucifera speciosa). Looks like the petals of the lotus.
There is no universal standard for the colour range of padparadscha sapphire. The fighting point is how orange and pink the sapphire is, and what is a certain tone of dark to qualify for a padparadscha sapphire.

This stone originates mainly in Sri Lanka. Also come from Madagascar, Tanzania, and Vietnam. Padparadscha sapphire is rarer than the popular blue sapphire.

8. Colour changing Sapphire

This is a rare variety of sapphire which shows different colour in different light (normally in fluorescent and daylight). Tanzania and Madagascar are the main producer of this sapphire. Typically segmented into two groups based on colour change phenomena;
1.) Blue to purple, purple to red violet, violet to red violet, or bluish purple to purpleish red.
2.) Greenish brown, green, or khaki to red or redish brown

9. Star Sapphire

In star star sapphire, a star of light moves on the surface of the gemstone. Star can be seen in any colour of sapphire, and in transparent to opaque quality. This is an optical phenomenon of a gemstone called Asterism, which produces shimmering light rays and making a star. The word Asterism comes from the Latin word “astrum”, for “star”.

Stars made on the surface due to parallel acicular needle-like inclusions (generally rutile silk). In its transparent variety, due to transparency, these inclusions may be seen. An ideal star sapphire will be completely transparent with showing minimal inclusion. A six-rayed star is common, but a twelve-rayed, natural star is hard to find. Yellow, green, and orange, and some other colours are rare.

In a good variety, the star remains at the center of the stone when seen from the top. Each ray of the star should be bright, clear, sharp, and the same length. The star must reach from the top (crown) to the bottom without any interference. All Star sapphires are cut only in a cabochon cut, not faceted, to show the star effect.

In its black variety, the star is made due to the shiny hematite mineral crystal. Black star sapphire is mainly found in Chantaburi, Thailand (especially the Golden black variety). Due to the limited single source, the black star sapphire can be rare in the future.

10. Parti Colour / Mix Colour

Sapphire with more than one colour, it is segmented into party colour sapphire. If it comes with two colours, it is called bi-colour, and if it comes with three colours, it is called tri-colour sapphire.

Bi-colour sapphire is very famous in India and called pitambari or neelambari. It is considered a mix of the guru (Jupiter) and the shani (Saturn) stone. If a blue shade comes in a yellow sapphire, it is called neelambari, and if a yellow shade comes in a blue sapphire, it is called pitambari stone.

Common combinations are: blue with green, yellow with green, and blue with yellow. Rarer colour combinations are a mix of purple, lavender, orange, and pink.

11. Unique / Fancy shades

Green, orange, brown, cognac, lemon green, and other then the above colour of sapphire are classified as fancy or unique shades.

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