By analyzing the types of inclusions-tiny microscopic minerals-within the gem, it is possible to ascertain where the sapphire was mined. “ Examples that are fresh to the market come from an ever-diminishing pool. “Stones from these origins tend to smash world records because the mines they come from are either exhausted or have a finite number of years to run,” explains Ghika. T he finest examples hail from three mines: Kashmir in northern India, across its eastern border to Myanmar (previously Burma), and Sri Lanka (previously Ceylon), and when they appear at auction, they cause a huge buzz in the jewelry world and spark bidding wars in the auction rooms. But it is their place of origin that is the most important element. Specialists note that the rarest stones boast a combination of key characteristics such as the absence of treatment and exceptional color and transparency. There is also a special variety known as “star sapphire” whereby the gems are cut as cabochons to display the magical star-like effect. While the gemstone can occur in all shades, the most sought after are certainly blue. “From antiquity, it was highly regarded for its talismanic properties today it is valued for its exceptional color.”

“Sapphire is one of the most valuable gemstones in the world,” Jean Ghika, global head of jewelry at Bonhams, tells Galerie.

More recently, they have been associated with royalty and romance thanks to the iconic blue sapphire engagement ring given to Princess Diana and then to Kate Middleton. In ancient Greece and Rome, kings and queens believed that the gem protected them from harm while during the Middle Ages, the clergy wore blue sapphires to symbolize Heaven. Photo: Courtesy of the American Natural History MuseumĪdored for their brilliant, celestial-blue tones, sapphires have long symbolized nobility, sincerity, wisdom, and faithfulness, making them the perfect birthstone for September. The Star of India, the world's largest sapphire-allegedly around 2 billion years old-weighs 563-carats and is roughly the size of a golf ball.

Blue star sapphire ring