Exquisite 6 Ray Star Sapphire & Diamond Ring – $2 MILLION Dollar Lifetime Jewelry Collection Auction
Exquisite 6 Ray Star Sapphire & Diamond Ring – $2 MILLION Dollar Lifetime Jewelry Collection Auction
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About Star Sapphire – History and Introduction
Star sapphire is rare variety of sapphire that exhibits a rare asterism under specific lighting. When viewing star sapphire, a six-rayed star will appear to float across the surface of the stone. The effect is best viewed under a direct light source and while tilting and rotating the stone from different angles. Star sapphires contain unusual tiny needle-like inclusions of rutile. Aligned needles that intersect each other at varying angles produce the rare phenomenon known as asterism. Star sapphires can range in color from blue in various tones to pink, orange, yellow, green, lavender, gray or black. The most desirable color is a vivid, intense blue. Most star sapphire exhibits a white star, but star sapphire from Thailand is famed for its gold colored asterism.
Sapphire is a member of the corundum family and is closely related to ruby; the red to pink-red gem-quality variety of corundum. All corundum has a hardness rating of 9, making it the second hardest material on earth, second only to diamond. The name ‘corundum’ comes from the Sanskrit word ‘kuruvindam’, meaning ‘ruby sapphire’, while the term ‘sapphire’ is derived from the Persian word ‘safir’, which originates from the Greek word for ‘blue’.
Identifying Star Sapphire:
Star sapphire can be distinguished from other forms of sapphire by its unique asterism. The six-rayed-star effect appears most clearly under natural light, but it can also be viewed using a strong source of direct light such as a penlight or a halogen bulb. It has no distinct cleavage and has a hardness rating of 9 on the Mohs scale. Chemically, star sapphire is an aluminum oxide and forms as trigonal crystals. Owing to star sapphire’s superior hardness and durability, it’s nearly unmistakable, despite several other gem types that are known to occur with similar colors and luster. Some commonly confused gems include star garnet and star diopside.
Star Sapphire; Origin and Sources:
The most important deposits of fine star sapphire today are found in Australia, Myanmar (Burma), Sri Lanka and Thailand. Other significant star sapphire sources include Brazil, Cambodia, China, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Nigeria, Pakistan, Rwanda, Tanzania, United States (Montana), Vietnam and Zimbabwe.
Buying Star Sapphire and Determining Star Sapphire Value:
Star Sapphire Color
Star sapphires can range in color from blue in various tones, to pink, orange, yellow, green, lavender, gray and black. The coloring agents in blue sapphire are iron and titanium, and vanadium in violet to purple colored stones. A small amount of iron results in more yellow and greenish tones, while chromium produces fine pink to red tones. Iron and vanadium result in golden to orange tones. The most desirable color is a vivid, intense blue. Thai star sapphire is famed for its golden rayed star.
Star Sapphire Clarity and Luster
Star sapphire is typically opaque. Some finer specimens may exhibit slight translucency. Star sapphire owes its desirable asterism to perfectly aligned needle-like rutile inclusions. The rutile inclusions in star sapphire result in a vitreous to silky luster when cut and polished.
Star Sapphire Cut and Shape
Star sapphires are cut en cabochon typically with very high domes to maximize the desirable star effects. The best cabochons are somewhat transparent to translucent, with smooth domes of good symmetry. One should look for an even roundness to the shape. Many star sapphires will have uneven tops or bottoms, which in many cases is necessary for proper orientation in order to best display asterism.
Star Sapphire Treatment
The most common treatment for star sapphire is heat treatment. Generally before they are cut, stones are heated to between 1700 to 1800 degrees Celsius (3100-3300 degrees F) for several hours. Heating often improves the color and clarity of the gem. A reputable dealer will always disclose whether a stone has been subjected to heat treatment.
Famous Star Sapphire Gemstones:
The Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C. displays a star sapphire of more than fifty carats that was found in Sri Lanka. The mega-star of its impressive gem collection is the “Star of Asia”, a star sapphire of 330 carats.
Actress Mary Pickford loved very large rubies and star sapphires. She owned both the 60-carat Star of Bombay and the 200-carat Star of India, and often wore them both at the same time.