Sapphire with star
Star sapphires are usually blue sapphires on which a white or colorless star can be seen under certain lighting conditions.
Stars are the result of light reflection by microscopic inclusions of other minerals in the gemstone. In the star sapphire, these are small inclusions of the mineral rutile. Fine rutile needles are arranged in such a way that they form a six-pointed star. In technical jargon, this effect is also called asterism.
In addition to the star sapphire and the blue sapphire, there are numerous other sapphires, including the pink sapphire, the padparadscha sapphire, the violet sapphire, the green sapphire and the yellow sapphire.
The most famous star sapphire: Star of Adam
One famous star sapphire is the “Star of Adam”. It is the largest star sapphire found to date, weighing over 1404 carats (280 grams). It owes its name to the place where it was found, Adam's Peak in Ratnapura in Sri Lanka. It was found there in 2015. It is not known who currently owns the large stone, but the price for the large stone is estimated to be between 100 and 300 million US dollars.
The value of star sapphires
In general, inclusions reduce the value of gemstones. However, if these inclusions result in a beautiful asterism, they can even increase the value. Nevertheless, a star sapphire will hardly approach the price of a ruby, emerald or blue sapphire of excellent quality.
Origin & mining: from Asia to Australia to America
Sapphires are usually mined by hand in small mines. They are found in India, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, China, Australia, Brazil, Africa (including Madagascar) and North America (mainly in Montana).
Use: violet sapphire for unique jewelry
If you buy a star sapphire from the IGNEOUS gemstone shop, you can have unique pieces of jewelry made from it. Star sapphires are particularly popular for rings in white gold or silver. However, it can also be worn as a pendant or on a bracelet.
This gemstone is rarely combined with other colored gemstones. It is usually used alone or in combination with small diamonds.
If you are looking for a piece of jewelry for someone born in September, you might want to consider a star sapphire: according to the American Gem Society, sapphires are the birthstone for those born in September. Sapphire gemstones also symbolize loyalty, nobility, sincerity and integrity. This also applies to the star sapphire, which also impresses with its extraordinary inclusions.
Robust gemstone without treatment
The star sapphire, like all other sapphires and rubies, is a corundum. Like its relatives, it has a hardness of 9, making it the second hardest gemstone in the world. Only the diamond is harder with a hardness of 10. Thanks to this property, it is very robust and is very suitable for processing into rings and other jewelry.
Sapphires are often heat-treated to improve the color quality. However, in the case of the star sapphire, the characteristic inclusions are lost in the process, turning it into a classic blue sapphire.
Star sapphire and cabochon cut
Star sapphires only come in cabochon cuts. This smooth cut is the only way to accentuate the star in the stone. Most (cut) star sapphires are round or oval in shape. Ideally, the stone is cut so that the point where the rutile crystals intersect is roughly in the middle. Other shapes, such as triangles, are rare.
