The Blue Star Sapphire
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THE BLUE STAR SAPPHIRE Summary Item: Gemstone Species: Natural Corundum Variety: Star Sapphire Carats: 530 Origin: Sri Lanka Color: Blue Transparency: Transparent Enhancements: None Certificate: Gubelin Gemmological Laboratory Characteristics This magnificent specimen is an extremely rare and priceless gemstone. It was originally purchased in 1971 in Southern Sri Lanka from a gemstone dealer in the Hikkaduwa Region. It was unearthed from Sri Lankan soil, refined, and then protected for generations by a solitary family since 1971. The stone has been certified by Gubelin labs of Switzerland and inspected by the respected representatives of the Gem Corporation of Sri Lanka. What makes it so unique is the combination of exceptional color, transparency, saturation and display of distinct asterism. These qualities are more brilliant than any of the other known large 1 star sapphires. Phenomena Star sapphires are a type of sapphire that exhibit a star-like phenomenon known as asterism. These gemstones contain intersecting needle-like silk inclusions (often the mineral rutile, a mineral composed primarily of titanium dioxide) that cause the appearance of a six-rayed 'star'-shaped pattern that reflect and scatter light. This gemstone has a clear and centered “asterism”. Size At 530 carats it is second only to the Star of India1 the largest and most famous blue star sapphire in the world and currently part of the New York Museum of Natural History’s Morgan-Tiffany collection. Shape Its oval shape and double cabochon is perfectly proportioned and rounded seems to dwarf other notable large blue star sapphires such as the Star of Sri Lanka1 at 383 carats and 182 carats Star of Bombay1. Color It is a natural Corundum of the finest blue saturation and hue. It has, as Gubelin Gem Lab States, “a degree of transparency which is unusual for a star Sapphire of this size”. In addition this Sapphire has never been heat treated, which adds to its one-of-a-kind status. 1 See Table 1 for other notable Sapphires Page 2 Table 1: Other Notable Sapphires Title Characteristics The Star of India A 563-carat blue cabochon-cut star sapphire thought to be the largest cut sapphire -- is part of the Morgan- Tiffany Collection in the American Museum of Natural History in New York. The Blue Giant of the A 446-carat sapphire from Sri Lanka Orient The Blue Belle of Asia This 400-carat stone from Sri Lanka is the largest sapphire in the British Crown. The Logan Sapphire A 423-carat cushion-cut blue from Sri Lanka. The piece was donated to the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C., in 1960 by Mrs. John A. Logan. The Ruspoli A 135-carat rhomb-shaped (six facets) blue stone -- resides in France's National Museum of Natural History in Paris. During the 17th century, a Roman prince named Ruspoli sold the sapphire to a salesman, who in turn, sold it to King Louis XIV sometime before 1691. At the time it was the third most prominent gem in the French Crown Jewels. The Star of Asia A 330-carat blue cabochon-cut star sapphire -- also resides in the Smithsonian Institute. The Midnight Star A 116-carat, black cabochon-cut star sapphire -- is also in the American Museum of Natural History. The Star of Bombay A 182-carat, cabochon-cut, blue-violet star sapphire that was bequeathed to the Smithsonian by famous actress Mary Pickford. The Black Star of A 733 –carat, cabochon-cut, black star sapphire is in private collector’s hands. Recently Queensland on exhibit in Ontario valued at over $130, 000/ct. Catherine the Great’s A 337-carat, faceted oval blue owned by the Diamond Fund of Moscow. Sapphire Page 3 Gubelin Gem Lab Gemstone Report Page 4 Page 5 .