Romancing the Stone: Sapphire

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Gems

Photo courtesy of www.multi-gems.com

Azure, Navy, Cerulean, Indigo, Royal, Cornflower, “Peacock’s neck”. Each of these descriptors have been used to

describe the color blue. While a good start, they have unfortunately never been able to completely encapsulate the majesty of the

blue displayed in sapphire.

There is a very lasting quality about the blue of sapphire. Much like when you

meet people whose gaze is as deep as it is engrossing; it is something which

stays with you, long after the moment has past. So imagine, being able to

adorn yourself with that color, with that evocative feeling…..

The “Star of Kashmir”. Photo courtesy of www.jeweldujour.com

Left to right: The James Hill Sapphire. Photo courtesy of www.christies.com; A sapphire ring designed by Birks. Photo courtesy of www.polyvore.com; A sapphire ring designed by Harry Winston. Photo courtesy of www.harrywinston.com.

After the color, gems are often described by their transparency and lustre. Sapphire, while prized for both, is also admired for its texture. Simply put, it is singular in its kind. In some specimens, fine rutile needles scatter about throughout the stone, creating a fine haze “silk” (as seen in the background image). Others have zoning, a natural distribution of color, which is as beautiful as it is imperfect.

Fine rutile crystals in sapphire. Photo courtesy of www.eos.ubc.ca

Sri Lankan sapphire. Photo courtesy of F. Barlocher

So we have an interesting dichotomy; in a world where people seek out perfection, it turns out that the finer qualities in sapphire are in the imperfections and the variations.

“Leave D Flawless to the gem of the common man, for it doesn’t exist in sapphire. Don’t seek perfection, just look for something you can spend the rest of your life with”.

- Richard W. HughesRuby & Sapphire: A collector’s Guide (2014)

Sapphire once belonging to Edward the Confessor, now on the English Crown Jewels. Photo courtesy of

www.royalcentral.co.uk

Burmese sapphire and diamond necklace. Photo courtesy of www.preciousgemstones.com

“Cartier Panthere” sapphire brooch designed by Cartier. Photo courtesy of www.timeandtidewatches.com

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