The blue color of the fine quality sapphires is the standard against which all other blue gemstones are compared. A colour so intense, so deep and fulfilling that time seems to stop when you immerse your eyes in it. Magnificent, sacred, ancient, mighty, the terms used to describe sapphires throughout the millennia have always been strong. And there is a reason for this. Sapphires grow in mountainous regions and their formation requires powerful earth transformations. They are born inside the hearts of the high rocks; however they hold the secrets of the ocean and the immensity of the universe inside them and speak right to the soul of those who have the sensitivity to listen.
It was in 1881 when a divine landslide revealed one of the world’s greatest finds. Climbed at a great height, the famous Kashmir blue sapphires wereenthroned and waiting. At the “region beyond the snow” and an elevation of more than 4.500 meters, the earth exhibited the home of probably the most beautiful sapphire crystals ever found. As the years went by and various other sources of sapphires were discovered, this original Kashmir source kept and reinforced its first position in the highest quality ranking. Those sapphires had such a special character that has never been found elsewhere until today. And just like every special thing in this world, these crystals were only mined for a short period before the source was exhausted. Today the Kashmir mines may still give some sapphires sporadically, but they newer finds do not even remind the shadows of the legendary first ones.
Myanmar is another well-knownarea for its sapphires. Gorgeous blues come from the Burmese mines; intense colour, often dark but transparent gems, lacking the inclusions that scatter the light and create the characteristic sought-after “sleepiness” of the Kashmir material. The magnificent and crisp Burmese crystals are often referred to as “Royal blue” in the market. A good example of the high quality Burmese material is the 62ct “Rockefeller” sapphire set on a ring that was sold in auction for over 3 million $ in 2001.
The famous “Ceylon” sapphires, found in the mines of Sri Lanka are equally important. This is a trustworthy source that has constantly supplied the world with blue sapphires over the centuries. Their major characteristic is their lively brilliance and often light tone. Also, many of the world’s largest sapphire crystals originate from this rich and exotic island. Other blue sapphire sources include Australia, Montana USA, Madagascar, Thailand, among others.
Blue sapphire is a variety of the species Corundum, together with ruby and the fancy colored sapphires. It is a very durable and hard gemstone suitable for everyday use on all kinds of jewelry. Its blue colour ranges from very light to very dark tones, with the medium to medium-dark and vivid blues being the most valuable. Its pure blue may be slightly enriched by a violetish tint that adds to its beauty, or it can be somewhat altered by a greenish secondary hue that would lower its appeal in the market. The most highly prized sapphires in today’s markets exhibit a violetish blue to pure blue hue in medium to medium -dark tones and have a smooth “velvety” look.
Blue sapphires were esteemed greatly by all the ancient civilizations and many religions dedicated them to their gods. Ancient Greeks dedicated sapphires to Zeus, the principal god of the Greek pantheon. A potent symbol of divine favor, nobility and truth, blue sapphire was often the choice of important kings and priests. It is said that the Ten Commandments that were given to Moses were inscribed on sapphire tablets.
The majority of the blue sapphires found in the mines all around the world are either very dark or very light in tone, while many are heavily included –almost opaque. People have developed various techniques in order to enhance their appearance and make the gems more marketable. Almost all blue sapphires seen in the market today have undergone some kind of thermal treatment in order to lighten the dark tone or to develop a stronger hue. Often sapphires are also diffused with chemical elements. This creates a superficial layer of strong blue color on a gem that would otherwise be pale and of little or no interest for the market. Controlled heating may also result in making cloudy sapphire become clearer by breaking up the inclusions, or it could also help develop the phenomenon of asterism.
In the past, donating a sapphire to someone was a promise of loyalty, trust and purity. Today, sapphires are among the most popular gems everywhere in the world. Used to crown important moments of our lives, as protective talismans, as symbols, these are special gemstones, capable of producing strong emotions that each individual may translate based on their personal beliefs. Whether you may choose a sapphire or it may choose you, the “truest blue” will never fail you.
This article was first published in the Jewelry Historian Magazine – Issue 13
