Black Star Sapphire Information
With glinting star shapes reflecting off their deep, dark backgrounds, black star sapphires are a mesmerizing gem to behold. They're also fairly commonly available compared to many other sapphire colors, and therefore not as expensive as the more well-known blue star sapphires. Does this Spark an idea?
-
Features
-
Black star sapphires, like all sapphires, are composed of an aluminum oxide called corundum. Pure corundum is clear, and different trace minerals within the corundum give sapphires their array of dazzling colors. Black star sapphires get their mysterious, dusky coloring from titanium and iron impurities.
A gleaming star or asterisk shape constantly dances against the colored backdrop of a star sapphire. Light beams enters three-fold patterns of slender rutile needles within the stone (rutile is a type of titanium.) When the light reflects back out through the domed surface of the sapphire, it creates the six-ray star shape--or, more rarely a 12-ray star shape--that gives star sapphires their claim to fame. Against the midnight background of a black star sapphire, the effect is especially striking.
Sapphires--black star sapphires included--are the second hardest substance on earth, surpassed only by diamonds.
Origin
-
Sapphire deposits exist throughout the world: Africa, Australia, Brazil, Cambodia, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Tanzania Thailand, Montana and North Carolina are all sources of star sapphires. India, Myanmar and Sri Lanka produce the highest quality, most coveted star sapphires.
-
Cuts and Care
-
Once a sapphire is faceted its star vanishes. Gemstone cutters carefully examine a sapphire to determine whether it has the proper rutile inclusions to display a star. If it does, the gemstone cutter will cut the stone into a Cabochon shape, the only cut that will preserve the gorgeous asterism.
Sapphires are tough and durable gems, and can be easily cleaned with soapy water. They should not be excessively exposed to strong heat and light sources.
History
-
Star sapphires collectively are called "The Stones of Destiny." In ancient times, people revered star sapphires as talismans against evil fortune. The star the stone displays symbolizes destiny, faith and hope.
Famous Black Star Sapphires
-
In 1930 12-year old Roy Spencer accidentally discovered the Black Star of Queensland, a 733-carat stone and the largest black sapphire in the world. The rarity spent 10 years as doorstop in the Spencer household before i's incredible value was realized. Armenian jewelry Harry Kazanjian eventually purchased and cut the stone, and the Black Star of Queensland became a symbol of mystical good fortune.
Queen Victoria wore black star sapphires as a symbol of mourning for her beloved husband Prince Albert. Legend says that the hilt of the Emperor Constantine's sword was adorned with black star sapphires.
Cost and Availability
-
Black star sapphires are the most common star sapphires and tend to be less expensive than most of the other colors. According to the Department of Geological Sciences at the University of Texas, in 2009 the higher quality black star sapphires sold for under $50 per carat wholesale, while the smaller commercial-grade black star sapphires sold for about $1 to $2 per carat.
-
References
- Photo Credit huge diamond image by sumos from Fotolia.com
