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What is a Star Sapphire?

Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel

Sapphires have been prized gemstones for centuries. Because of their brilliant hues, sapphires have been worn by royals and even included in crown jewels. For example, the imperial crown of Iran’s Pahlavi dynasty, which was the last dynasty to rule the country, includes a twenty carat sapphire. A particular sapphire brooch was prized in the Imperial Russian Court. The brooch consists of a sapphire over 260 carats in size which is surrounded by over 55 carats of diamonds.

While sapphires are beloved for their deep cerulean color, they are also often enjoyed for their color variations. A sapphire can be pink or white, instead of blue. Furthermore, there are some special sapphires that actually change color depending on their lighting. One of the most interesting sapphires, however, is the star sapphire.

It takes a strong microscope to determine if star sapphire has been treated with heat.
It takes a strong microscope to determine if star sapphire has been treated with heat.

A star sapphire is a lovely gem that exhibits a six pointed star because of the intersection of six thin intersecting inclusions. When the gem is lit from above, the inclusions become quite visible and the star shape appears. One of the most stunning star sapphires in the world is housed in the Smithsonian Institute. The Star of Bombay is a stunning oval star sapphire, 182 carats in size.

Just like any kind of gem, the quality of a star sapphire varies depending upon a number of factors. The size, color, and clarity of the stone are, of course, just as important as they are with other stones. The inclusions, which are normally made of the mineral rutile, also add or detract from the value of the stone. If the star is quite visible, then the star sapphire is likely to be quite valuable. Inclusions that are less visible, or murky, will not yield a highly valuable star sapphire.

It has become common practice to use heating techniques to deepen or alter the color of a gemstone. Such techniques are also sometimes used to increase the visibility of the inclusions within a star sapphire. In the age of synthetic gems and color-altering techniques, many jewelers and gem collectors have strong feelings about these practices. Some people feel that these techniques are wonderful because they can improve upon the beauty of stones, or make lovely stones without mining. Others, however, are against these practices and feel that naturally occurring brilliant stones are better than their counterparts. It is interesting to note, however, that even with star sapphires, it takes a strong microscope to tell whether or not the gem has been treated with heat.

Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel

In addition to her work as a freelance writer for WiseGEEK, Diane is the executive editor of Black Lawrence Press, an independent publishing company based in upstate New York. She has also edited several anthologies, the e-newsletter Sapling, and The Adirondack Review. Diane has a B.A. from Sarah Lawrence College and an M.A. from Brooklyn College.

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Diane Goettel
Diane Goettel

In addition to her work as a freelance writer for WiseGEEK, Diane is the executive editor of Black Lawrence Press, an independent publishing company based in upstate New York. She has also edited several anthologies, the e-newsletter Sapling, and The Adirondack Review. Diane has a B.A. from Sarah Lawrence College and an M.A. from Brooklyn College.

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Discussion Comments

indigomoth

@pastanaga - Actually they might not be as expensive as you think, depending on what kind of color you want.

I've seen black ones priced for around a hundred dollars. Of course that's without being set in jewelry. A blue or white star sapphire or a pink star sapphire are usually more expensive and get into the thousands of dollars.

The really deep blue ones are the most expensive, although if you see a twelve pointed star (these are more rare than the six pointed star) that usually puts the price up by quite a lot.

I really want to start making star sapphire rings so I've been paying attention to the prices. I think they are well within reach of most ordinary people myself.

pastanaga

I love star sapphires. They are my favorite of all the possible kinds of gemstones. Although I like star rubies and other kinds of star jewels as well.

I wouldn't mind getting a synthetic one, just because I think the really striking natural kinds are usually too expensive for an ordinary person to buy.

I think also you can get costume jewelry that looks like star jewels but is actually only a synthetic replica.

I think I should just get one of those rather than spend thousands on a real star sapphire, but it would be nice to have one...

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    • It takes a strong microscope to determine if star sapphire has been treated with heat.
      By: micromonkey
      It takes a strong microscope to determine if star sapphire has been treated with heat.