The many colors of
Sapphire
Ceylon Sapphire from Sri Lanka
History
The name Sapphiru (Greek - blue) use to apply to various stones. In antiquity and as late as the Middle Ages, the name Sapphire was understood to mean what is today described as
Lapis Lazuli.
Around 1800 it was recognized that Sapphire and Ruby are gem varieties of corundum.
Sapphire
The Discovery Of Sapphires
They've been found in Sri Lanka (Ceylon) since antiquity.
Australia, Burma, Thailand, also in Brazil, Cambodia, Kenya and Tanzania
Green Sapphire
The Many Colors
At first only the blue variety was call Sapphire and corundum's of other colors (with the exception of red), were given special, misleading names, such as "Oriental peridot" for the green variety or "Oriental topaz" for the yellow type Today corundum's of all colors except red are called Sapphire. The various colors are qualified by description i.e. Yellow sapphire, Green Sapphire, Orange pink sapphire is called Padparadschah (Sinhalese for "Lotus Flower". Blue is called Sapphire
Sapphire from Austalia
Mining
The main Sapphire bearing rocks are marble, basalt, or pegmatite. It is mined mainly from alluvial deposits or deposits form by weathering, rarely from the primary rock. Production methods are very simple. the underground gem bearing layer is worked from hand dug holes and trenches. The yield is separated from clay, sand and pebbles by panning.
Sapphire from Burma
Yellow or Golden Sapphire
Padparadschah Sapphire
Violet Sapphire
Star SapphireSapphire is the Birthstone for September
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