Facts About Blue Sapphires
Some of the most dazzling gems in the world are blue sapphires. About 30 blue sapphires weighing more than 100 carats are known to exist. Six famous blue sapphires are named below, together with some of the facts known about them, including their countries of origin, carat weight, ownership and historical notes of interest.
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The Lone Star Sapphire
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In June 1989, Harold Roper of Marble, North Carolina, discovered the largest known blue sapphire. Called "The Lone Star," this huge gem in the rough weighed 10.5 lbs. After cutting and polishing, The Lone Star is a 9,719.5-carat gem. Apparently, no published photographs of this sapphire exist. Roper developed an interest in mining gems at an early age, when he began accompanying his father on expeditions for Indian relics.
Star of India Sapphire
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The Star of India blue star sapphire weighs 563 carats. It was discovered in Sri Lanka more than 300 years ago. In 1900, J.P. Morgan, the American financier, presented the Star of India to the American Museum of Natural History of which he was a founder. In 1964, this sapphire was stolen in a daring burglary, but it was recovered and restored to the museum.
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Queen Marie Sapphire
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This cushion-shaped blue sapphire of Sri Lankan origin, weighing 478.68 carats, was once part of a grand Cartier necklace. King Ferdinand of Romania purchased the necklace for his consort, Queen Marie (1875 to 1938), who wore it at the 1922 coronation of her husband. The necklace was subsequently dismantled, and the sapphire sold.
Logan Sapphire
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In 1960, Mrs. John A. Logan presented a 422.99-carat blue sapphire brooch set in diamonds, to the Smithsonian Institution. The sapphire came from Sri Lanka.
The Star of Asia Sapphire
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The Star of Asia is a 330-carat, blue-violet star sapphire from the Union of Myanmar. In 1961, the National Museum of Natural History at the Smithsonian Institution acquired this gem. There is speculation that this star sapphire was once owned by the enormously wealthy Maharajah of Jodhpur.
Edward the Confessor's Sapphire
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This blue sapphire is embedded in the Maltese Cross that ornaments the front of the Imperial Crown of State of Britain. The sapphire was originally part of a ring belonging to the English king, Edward the Confessor (1042-1066), who was canonized in 1161 and is also known as St. Edward.
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