star sapphire
overview
- Naming : The name is derived from the Greek “sappheiros” for “blue”. The gemstone owes its optical effect to the additional name “star”.
- Mineral group: Just like the ruby, the sapphire – and thus also the star sapphire – is a color variety of the mineral corundum.
- Cut : In sunlight, a star sapphire shines in all its splendor. The special light phenomenon called asterism only occurs when the star sapphire is cut as a cabochon. If you move the star sapphire, the rays glide over it.
- Special feature : A star sapphire is a sapphire that is distinguished by the rare optical effect of asterism. This creates a fascinating star-shaped radiance on the surface of the gemstone.
Quality factors
Color
Pure gemstones that do not contain any inclusions are particularly valuable and sought after.
carat
The weight of a gemstone is measured in carats – 1 carat equals 0.2 grams. The higher the carat number, the more valuable the star sapphire is.
purity
The color of a gemstone is of great importance. The more intense, the more popular the star sapphire is.
cut
The brilliance of a gemstone can only be revealed through the perfect cut. Only when the star sapphire is cut as a cabochon can its unique light effect unfold.
The asterism
The asterism that makes the star sapphire such an extraordinary gemstone only occurs under very specific circumstances. The sapphire must naturally contain enough inclusions of the mineral rutile. The rutile inclusions must be oriented in the stone. This means that the rutile needles must be embedded in accordance with the crystal system. If these conditions are met, the sapphire must be cut unfaceted, round, oval or semi-round, so that the asterism can be seen under point light. In most cases, a 6-rayed light appears on the surface of the gemstone - but there are also 4-rayed, 12-rayed, 18-rayed or even 24-rayed stars.
Special Stones
The so-called “Star of Bombay” is an extremely famous 182-carat star sapphire. The blue-violet gemstone from Sri Lanka once belonged to the silent film actress Mary Pickford, who later donated it to the Smithsonian Institution in Washington.
Probably the largest star sapphire ever cut, weighing 536 carats, is the “Star of India” – it can be viewed in the Museum of Natural History in New York.
Special occasions
birthstone
The star sapphire is – like the sapphire – the birthstone of the month September.
wedding anniversary
The star sapphire – like the sapphire – is traditionally given as a gift on the 5th and 45th wedding anniversaries.
occurrence of star sapphire
Sri Lanka
The popular but quite rare star sapphires mostly come from Sri Lanka.
jewelry with star sapphire
The star-shaped shimmer appears in the light and glides weightlessly over the piece of jewelry when the star sapphire is moved. Jewelry with this fascinating gemstone, such as a star sapphire ring, has a very special flair and fascinates both wearer and viewer alike.
Contact us for your individual piece of jewelry with a star sapphire.
Further articles
Find out more about the sapphire – the "gemstone of heaven" – and its characteristic color.
To the encyclopedia article – Sapphire
The corundum gemstone group includes some of the most precious gemstones – such as ruby and sapphire.
To the encyclopedia article – CorundumBuy gemstones
Yellow Sapphire Jewelry
Optical effects
