SAPPHIRE
When the term Sapphire is used without any colour prefix then the gemstone being referenced is the most precious and valuable of all blue gemstones. One of the Big Four gemstones, Sapphire is prized for its excellent colour, hardness, durability and lustre.
Sources: Key sources of Sapphires are Sri Lanka, Myanmar (formerly Burma), Thailand, Cambodia, Madagascar, Tanzania, Australia and the USA.
Similar gemstones: Iolite, blue Tourmaline and blue Zircon all resemble Sapphire. Many other gemstones resemble the other colour varieties of Sapphire.
Colour palette: Although most closely associated with a vibrant blue colour, Sapphires come in a host of colours - white, green, yellow, orange, brown, pink, purple, grey and black, as well as colourless, colour-changing and multi-coloured.
The very rare Padparadscha Sapphire is orange-pink variety of Sapphire found in Sri Lanka.
The Kashmir Sapphire, named for its place of origin, is now mined out, but was known for its exceptional deep, velvet blue colour.
A Star Sapphire features asterism, a star-like effect caused by dense inclusions.
More information about the Sapphire: Before Diamonds became popular for engagement rings, Sapphire was the number one choice. Sapphire is the Birthstone of September, the 45th Wedding Anniversary gemstone and associated with serenity and truth.
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