The Five Best Sources of the Finest Blue Sapphire in the World
Posted by Gemstones knowledge updates with HappyGems on 15th Jun 2020
Though sapphires are mined in different parts of the world, it is a universal opinion that the best stones are the ones that originate from the Asian countries. Blue Sapphire is considered a special stone because of the vivid and rich color of the stone sets it apart from the other precious gemstones, and the versatility of the stone imparts value to it. Sapphire as a gemstone is not as common as many would have you believe, most of the rough sapphire is either too opaque or too translucent with multiple inclusions.
Sapphire is mined mainly in Asia in India, Burma, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Vietnam and Cambodia. With a ranking of 9 on 10 on the Moh’s scale of hardness, sapphires are second only to diamonds. In order of their quality and their origin, the sapphires are ranked as follows:
1. Kashmir, India - There are sapphires and then there are sapphires from Kashmir. Though the bulk of the sapphire from Kashmir mines was mined by 1930s, this variety draws the maximum attention even today. The Kashmir Sapphires have been bought and sold numerous times and still command the best prices in the gemstone market. ‘The bluest of the blue’, as the Kashmir Sapphires are commonly known, they display exceptional color and clarity without any heat treatment.
2. Mogok, Burma - Often described as midnight blue in color, the Burmese Sapphires from Mogok are the next most sought after. Though darker than Kashmir sapphires, they are also more transparent. Due to limited production, they are also highly coveted by connoisseurs.
3. Sri Lanka - The sapphires from Sri Lanka or the Ceylon Sapphires are they are often labelled, are available in almost all colors. Though not as brilliant as the Kashmir or the Burmese sapphires, they are beautiful cobalt blue. Some of the largest sapphires in the market today come from Sri Lanka.
4. Madagascar - The sapphires from Madagascar are of comparable quality to those from Sri Lanka, though they are relatively recent finds. Available in various different colors, they are mostly heat treated for better color and clarity.
5. Australia - The Australian Sapphire is dark blue and inky and therefore less coveted when compared to the above four. Until Madagascar became the top producer of sapphires, Australia was leading the pack as the largest producer of sapphires.
