Sapphires are produced all over the world, and each place has its own unique gem characteristics.
Sri Lankan sapphires are famous for their pure and rich colors, high dispersion and high transparency. The sapphires from the Mogok region of Myanmar are famous for their high hardness and high saturation royal blue sapphires. The sapphires produced in the Kashmir mining area of India are known as the “ceiling of sapphires”. Their pure sky blue color with velvety texture is a frequent visitor to the auction market. Australia, Madagascar, Vietnam and Thailand are also important sources of sapphires. Sapphires produced in various places have their own advantages in color, transparency and clarity.
Sapphire has a hardness of 9, second only to diamond. This makes it a very hard and durable gemstone. Under a polarizing microscope, the inhomogeneous nature of sapphire causes it to produce four light and dark changes when rotated, in sharp contrast to the homogeneous blue spinel. Sapphire also has strong dichroism, showing blue and light blue-green changes in different directions. Blue spinel does not have this property. In addition, sapphire has a very high refractive index, which makes it more dazzling when highly transparent.
Sapphire is not only famous for its physical properties
But also carries rich cultural significance. Since ancient times, sapphire has been regarded as auspicious objects, used to decorate mosques, churches and temples, and as tributes in religious ceremonies. In India, Myanmar and other places, sapphire is also endowed with mysterious supernatural colors and is believed to be able to protect kings and monarchs from harm and jealousy. In modern society, sapphire, as the birthstone of September, is called a “sister gem” together with ruby, symbolizing loyalty, steadfastness, love and honesty. Star sapphire is even known as the “stone of destiny”, which can bless the wearer with peace and bring good luck.
However, natural sapphires are very expensive. If you don’t have a big budget but want to have the same quality, you can choose laboratory sapphires. Myjewelpark has laboratory sapphire jewelry with a very high cost performance.
