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Sapphire is one of the most widespread gems and one of two varieties of gems belonging to the corundum family. The second variety is ruby, that is, red corundum. Sapphire is usually blue but is found in many other colors, such as yellow, purple, orange, green, and white. Pink corundum can be classified either as a ruby or a sapphire. The different colors of the sapphire are due to the presence of iron, titanium, chromium, magnesium, or copper elements in the corundum composition.
Corundum and consequently sapphire is the third hardest mineral after diamond and moissanite and reaches 9 on the Mohs scale. Sapphire mines exist today in East Australia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, China, Madagascar, East Africa, and North America. Kashmir, Myanmar (Burma), Sri Lanka, and Madagascar produce high-quality sapphires in large quantities.
STAR SAPPHIRE
The star sapphire is a type of sapphire that exhibits a star-like phenomenon on its surface. A star with six rays appears when the mineral is illuminated by a single overhead light source. The phenomenon is caused by needle size inclusions (usually by rutile) on the surface of the mineral. Star sapphires are usually cut en cabochon.
On rare occasions, star sapphires may have two stars on their surface. Two different sets of inclusions are found within the same stone (usually rutile and hematite) causing two star-like shapes on the surface, usually one whitish and one gold-colored. This is often referred to as a twelve rayed star.
Logan Sapphire
Logan Sapphire is one of the largest sapphires found so far, weighing 422.99 carats with a cushion-cut and deep blue color. It is set into a brooch and is surrounded by 20 brilliant-cut diamonds of a total weight of 16 carats. The Logan Sapphire pin is exhibited at the Smithsonian Natural History Museum.
Bismarck Sapphire
The Bismarck sapphire has a deep blue color and weighs 98.56 carats. It is set to a platinum necklace, designed by Cartier in 1935 and flanked by diamonds. Since 2010, he is exposed to the Smithsonian Natural History Museum, next to the Logan Sapphire.
Star of Adam
Star of Adam is the biggest star sapphire ever found. It has a total weight of 1,404.49 carats and was found in Sri Lanka in 2015. Its value is estimated between 100 and 300 million dollars.
Black Star of Queensland
Black Star of Queensland is the second-largest star sapphire weighing 733 carats. It was discovered in the 1930s in Queensland, Australia, and today it is part of a private collection. It is set in white gold and surrounded by 35 pear diamonds.
