One of many rarest kinds of gem stones on the planet, Kashmir Sapphires have lengthy been thought-about the best and most fascinating sapphire. On this article, we’ll reveal what makes this sapphire so fascinating and efficiently purchase your personal Kashmir Sapphire.

This text was written collaboratively by Michael Khordipour, Afshin Shaddaie, and Benjamin Khordipour. They’re among the many world’s foremost authorities on Kashmir Sapphires.

Historical past of Kashmir Sapphires

Kashmir sapphires’ historical past began in 1880 within the Kashmir area on the Indian subcontinent. A landslide atop the Himalayas revealed an uncommon sort of rocks beneath the standard layer of soil. These rocks had been nearly utterly naked aside from the occasional protruding blue stones.

It took the locals an inexpensive time to comprehend that the stones had been sapphire. This caught the attention of the Maharajah (a regional ruler in India), who despatched a regiment of guards to guard the mine and miners to dig out extra of the sapphires.

By the tip of 1887, the well-known Kashmir Mine was exhausted. Hungry for extra, the Maharajah sought the help of the British, who had dominated India for greater than a decade. And with the assistance of British geologists, they discovered a brand new mine within the valley beneath. Nevertheless, they rapidly exhausted the opposite mine, too.

To at the present time, no different Kashmir deposits have been discovered. All that is still is what is accessible for buy or in personal collections.

The Timeline of Kashmir Sapphire Historical past

Right here is the timeline of the occasions that led to the invention and depletion of Kashmir Sapphires:

• 1880. Discovery of the primary Kashmir Mine.
• 1882. The biggest Kashmir Mining discoveries. Most Kashmir gem stones had been mined throughout these 5 years.
• 1887. Depletion of Kashmir Mine.
• 1906. C.M.P. Wright and the Kashmir Mineral Co. leased the mines and dug in a brand new location (with out realizing that he found the New Kashmir Mines). He finally gave up on account of difficulties with digging situations.
• 1927. The final recorded small discovery of any Kashmir Sapphires was from new mines.

Store Kashmir Sapphire Assortment

We’ve curated one of many rarest collections of Kashmir Sapphires on the planet. Most of it’s a part of our personal assortment (and never on-line), however listed here are a couple of of our sapphires we’ve made accessible on-line.

Contact us on to view our personal assortment of Kashmir Sapphire Stones and Kashmir Sapphire Jewellery.

Why are Kashmir Sapphires so Costly?

The worth of Kashmir sapphires is rising day by day. In reality, it’s at the moment one of many strongest funding items of jewellery in the marketplace.

Not too long ago, Christie’s Public sale Home bought a 35.09-carat Kashmir blue sapphire for $7,357,999. For context, that’s $209,689 per carat. That’s the present world file. Anticipate it to go up within the following years.

Three main components make Kashmir so costly:

1. High quality. The Kashmir Sapphire instructions a excessive value as a result of many include a top-quality sapphire specimen. Chances are you’ll come throughout different blue sapphires, however solely these from Kashmir have what specialists name blue velvet – a dreamy cornflower blue that displays gentle beneath all angles. See beneath.
2. Rarity. The Kashmir Sapphire is the rarest sort of sapphire in the marketplace.
3. Status. The status of Kashmir Sapphires has taken on a lifetime of its personal. Most vital items of sapphire jewellery worldwide showcase the Kashmir Sapphire within the middle.

On prime of its texture and tint, the unbelievable public demand has elevated its value additional.

Total, Kashmir sapphires symbolize the crown of all sapphire gems, the proper sapphire to mount on a hoop, necklace, or earring.

The dialogue of the Kashmir Sapphire vs. Ceylon Sapphire vs. Burma Sapphire all the time ends with professionals agreeing that Kashmir is way superior.

Very Necessary Be aware: For a Kashmir Sapphire to be fascinating, it first must be a “gem-quality sapphire”. A poor-quality sapphire that occurs to return from the Kashmir Mines won’t have the premium funding qualities talked about above.

Suggestions for Searching for a Kashmir Sapphire

As already talked about, it is best to all the time seek the advice of with a Kashmir knowledgeable earlier than shopping for a Kashmir sapphire. Only one carat can price north of $200,000. Thus, it is advisable ensure of what you’re shopping for. There are solely about 15-20 specialists on the planet.

Here’s what it is best to request earlier than making the acquisition. We’ve listed this so as of significance:

1. Make sure that the sapphire is of Gem High quality (seek the advice of with an knowledgeable)
2. Verify the origin of the sapphire as being from Kashmir (ideally two certificates, with one being from an AGL certificates)
3. Confirm that the colour is cornflower blue or royal blue (seek the advice of with an knowledgeable)
4. Use the certificates to substantiate that the sapphire has not been heat-treated

And we will’t restate this sufficient: solely purchase Kashmir Stones from respected sellers. Uncommon and superb jewellery purchases require numerous good religion. Solely buy your sapphire from a vendor who has a monitor file (and status) of belief.

Proving Origin for Kashmir Sapphires

Proving origin is among the most vital components of shopping for and promoting a Kashmir Sapphire. Real Kashmir sapphires come from the mines of Kashmir on the Zanskar mountain vary of the Himalayas. Virtually the entire premium worth of the Kashmiri Gemstone will likely be wrapped up in its proof of origin. So as to maintain your funding, it would be best to show that the sapphire got here from the Kashmir Mines.

The excellent news is that there are laboratories that may decide the origin of stones. They’ll look at the sapphire rigorously, and they’re going to present a doc guaranteeing its standing.

The highest firms that present respected certificates for origin are:

1. AGL – American Gemological Labs. The AGL certificates are thought-about the strongest Kashmir certificates within the business.
2. SSEF – Swiss Gemological Institute. A really authoritative selection for figuring out Kashmir’s origin.
3. Gubelin – Gübelin Gem Lab. One other very authoritative selection for figuring out Kashmir’s origin.
4. Christian Duneg. This lab doesn’t have an internet site, however they’re one of many prime authorities.
5. GIA – Gemological Institute of America. The GIA isn’t beneficial. See beneath.
6. AGTA – American Gem Commerce Affiliation. The AGTA Labs now not exist, and their sapphire certificates are strongly flawed. See beneath.

In the event you’re trying to purchase a real Kashmir sapphire, you want affirmation of its origin. And never simply any affirmation, both; you’ll need an official certificates from a good supply confirming that it got here from the Himalayan valley.

Within the Eighties, there have been many problematic certificates that confused the origins between Kashmir and Madagascar. Consequently, we strongly suggest not utilizing AGTA and GIA to find out the origin of a sapphire. AGL, SSEF, Gubelin, and Christian Duneg are the best authorities figuring out origin.

Desired Coloration and Saturation of Kashmir Blue

The strongest distinguishing function of any sapphire is its blueness — the extra intense the blueness, the extra beneficial the stone. Kashmir Sapphires aren’t any exception to this rule. You possibly can encounter pale or much less intense blue sapphires, however they don’t maintain the best worth.

Essentially the most fascinating coloration for a Gem High quality Kashmiri Sapphire is Cornflower Blue. This has all the time been the best coloration metric for the reason that opening of the mines within the Eighteen Eighties. This blue is lighter than the extra famend Royal Blue Sapphire. The cornflower blue coloration must also function a deep saturation, as discovered on the petals of the Cornflower.

One other coloration of notice for gem-quality sapphires is the Royal Blue Sapphire. The Royal Blue accommodates a darker saturation of blue than a cornflower.

In gem-quality Kashmir Sapphires, it’s also possible to count on the attribute velvet.

The least costly Kashmir sapphires have subpar saturation, making them seem pale. There are many these in the marketplace. They don’t seem to be Gem High quality Kashmir and run at related costs to common non-gem-quality sapphires.

Moreover, it is best to all the time deal with the purity of the colour. There shouldn’t be overtones of every other coloration, particularly purple and violet. Gem-quality Kashmir sapphires ought to have an excellent unfold of blue coloration from prime to backside.

Necessary Be aware: Concerning the colour high quality of a Kashmir sapphire, you’ll not get an correct studying from any certificates. That is one thing that solely a extremely certified sapphire knowledgeable can decide.

Readability Vary of Kashmir Sapphires (and Silk Inclusions)

Contact Us for more information on this Gem-High quality 5.54ct Kashmir Sapphire Ring. AGL and Gubelin certificates.

Some of the well-known qualities of Kashmir sapphires is their silk-like rutile needles. This titanium oxide (TiO2) inner needles cut back the gem’s transparency however, in return, current a ravishing velvety shine that’s nearly totally unique to Kashmir sapphires.

These inclusions additionally permit gentle to journey evenly all through the gem. In the event you shine a lightweight into the gem, it signifies a real Kashmir sapphire if it lights up all sides.

These skinny inclusions are an amazing indicator of authenticity. In the event you don’t discover these tiny needles (often known as inner silk) all around the core of the gem, it might be a very good trigger to lift your suspicion in regards to the stone’s origin.

Necessary Be aware: A reasonable quantity of velvety silk is taken into account very fascinating. If, nevertheless, there’s an excessive amount of velvety silk, the desirability of the stone will begin to go down.

Cuts and Shapes of Kashmir Sapphires

There are two issues to know when researching the minimize of a sapphire:

• How Completely the Sapphire is Minimize
• The Kind of Form

You’ll hardly ever discover a completely symmetrical minimize of blue Kashmir, and there are a number of causes for that.

First, Kashmir Sapphires are outdated. They’ve been round for at the least 100 years, and all through that point, it’s nearly inconceivable that they wouldn’t have gotten a small bump right here and there.

Secondly, the jewelers who minimize the sapphire would have lived over 100 years in the past. Stone-cutting know-how has come a great distance. Within the early 1900s, the strategies weren’t very exact.

Moreover, Kashmir Sapphires would require a lot endurance and experience to chop as a result of tiny inclusions.

Concerning form, sapphires are normally minimize in an vintage cushion minimize, emerald minimize, or oval-cut shapes. The much less deep the stone, the higher. Reducing the sapphire to a bit shallow permits much less gentle into the stone and retains the stone with a deeper saturation.

However it’s really the intact gems – people who aren’t minimize in any respect – which are the most costly. In reality, the aforementioned record-breaking stone was an uncut gem.

Subsequently, it is best to know {that a} minimize Kashmir sapphire normally sells for
a lower cost. For instance, in order for you a heart-shaped blue Kashmir ring for
your marriage ceremony ring, it’s possible you’ll get fortunate and discover one at a cut price value. Nevertheless,
all the time look to purchase from a reliable jeweler.

Value of Kashmir Sapphires

Now that you just perceive all of the figuring out components, let’s discuss in regards to the value vary of those gems, despite the fact that it may possibly nonetheless be tough to find out a sensible value.

Attributable to their rarity, there isn’t an extended path of established costs for Kashmir sapphires. Most stones are already within the palms of collectors, traders, and jewelers. Subsequently, sellers can set the value at liberty.

In any occasion, the lowest-tier of gem-quality Kashmir sapphires might go for $5,000 per carat. One carat is 200mg (0.2g), like every other treasured gem.

If the stone is of the best coloration and high quality, it is going to considerably improve the value per carat. That’s why the record-breaking Kashmiri Gem went for $200k+ per carat.

Suppose twice about whether or not a vendor affords you a Kashmir sapphire at an affordable value. Verify its high quality, coloration, and readability. And most significantly, convey it to an knowledgeable who can decide that there’s nothing suspicious.

The place to Purchase Kashmir Sapphires?

As mentioned, it gained’t be straightforward to seek out real Kashmir Sapphires. You possibly can’t simply go into your native jewellery retailer and look forward to finding them. In the event you actually need genuine gem-quality Kashmiri Sapphire Jewellery, you’ll need to look very onerous for them.

When you discover a vendor, there are some things to think about:

• Retailer Repute – The shop must be reliable and dependable. It’s best to analysis a vendor very rigorously earlier than contemplating coping with them. Additionally, you will wish to be sure that the vendor is an knowledgeable in Kashmir Sapphires.
• Picture of the Sapphire – Request to see high-res photographs of the Sapphire. Dependable sellers will make accessible pictures that you may zoom in on. That is particularly vital for Kashmir sapphires, because it permits you to discover the silk-like inclusions and the reflective hue.
• Certificates – Crucially, a dependable on-line retailer can have an official doc vouching for the gem’s authenticity. It ought to all the time come from an internationally acknowledged gemologist establishment and solely those talked about above. Most can verify the geographic origin, situation, form, transparency, and so on.

At all times do not forget that ready for the actual factor is best than letting down your guard and ending up with a pretend.

Necessary Be aware: To view our total uncommon assortment of Kashmir Sapphires, please contact us instantly and make an inquiry.

Are you searching for a Kashmir Sapphire? We’ve got a really uncommon personal assortment of Kashmir Sapphires and Jewellery.

Right here’s what we suggest mentioning with a view to show you how to higher: your approximate price range, sort of Jewellery (ring, earrings, brooch, necklace, bracelet, or unfastened stone), and dimension of the stone.