One of the most infamous gemstones in the world, hardly ever seen; an exception is the museums or photographs. The discovery of new Kashmir blue sapphire is very rare. This is the story of Kashmir blue sapphire, also described as the 'blue velvet.' While Burmese and Ceylonese sapphires come close in quality, only the Kashmir sapphire continues its reign as king of the sapphire world. The extreme rarity of this valuable gemstone surrounds them with a mythical allure.
Kashmir Blue sapphire gemstone origin
Blue Kashmir sapphires descend from the remote part of the Himalayas mountains, known as the Zanskar range. From 1882-1887, mines were worked day and night throughout the summer months. By the end of 1887, Kashmir Mine was exhausted, and with the help of British geologists, a new mine was found in the valley below. However, they quickly drained the other mine, and to this day, no other Kashmir deposits have been found.
Value of the Kashmir Blue Sapphire Crystal
The value of Kashmir sapphires is increasing every day, and it is one of the strongest investment pieces of jewelry on the market. In a recent auction, A 35.09-carat Kashmir blue sapphire was auctioned off by Christie's for $7,357,999. That's $209,689 per carat and also the current world record.
The lowest-tier of gem-quality Kashmir blue sapphires' price per carat is - like any other valuable diamond, 1 carat is 200 milligrammes (0.2g). If the stone has the highest color and quality, it may also go to $5,000 per carat. Thus the record-breaking Kashmiri gem went for $200k+ per carat.
Factors that make Kashmiri Blue Sapphire so expensive:
1. Quality: Kashmir Sapphire commands a high price because they contain top-quality sapphire specimens. Other blue sapphires may be found, but only those from Kashmir have what experts refer to as blue velvet—a dreamy cornflower that reflects light from all directions.
2. Rarity: The Blue Kashmir sapphire is the rarest type on the market.
3. Prestige: The reputation of blue Kashmir sapphire has taken on a life of its own. The Kashmir Sapphire is featured in the center of the most significant sapphire jewelry worldwide.
Buying a Kashmir Blue Sapphire
As mentioned, you should always consult before buying a Blue Kashmir Sapphire. One carat can cost you $200,000; thus, you need to be sure of what you're buying. Here's what you need to have to make the purchase:
- Verify the sapphire's gem quality and place of origin.
- Verify whether the hue is royal Blue or cornflower Blue.
- Verify the certificate to make sure the sapphire has not undergone heat treatment.
Quality of the Kashmir Blue Sapphire
The strongest feature of any sapphire is its blueness, the more intense the blueness, the more valuable the stone. The most desirable color for sapphire is cornflower Blue, which has always been the highest color metric since the opening of the mines. The cornflower Blue also features a deep saturation, as found on the petals of the cornflower.
Additionally, it would be best to focus on the purity of the color; there shouldn't be overtones of other colors, especially purple and violet. Blue Kashmir sapphires should have an even spread of blue color from top to bottom.
Where to Buy Certified Kashmir Sapphire
It is not easy to find an original Kashmir blue sapphire gemstone. You can't just go into your local jewelry store and expect to see them; if you want authentic gem-quality Kashmiri sapphire jewelry,
Once you find an original Kashmir blue sapphire gemstone, here are a few things to consider:
1. Store Reputation: The provider needs to be trustworthy, and you should research the vendor very carefully before dealing with them. You would also want to ensure that the seller is an expert in Kashmir Sapphires.
2. Image of the Blue sapphire - Request for high-resolution photos of the sapphire. Reliable sellers will make available photographs so you can zoom in on them. This is important because you can notice the silk-like inclusions and the reflective hue through them.
3. Certificates: A reliable online store will have the official document vouching for the gem's authenticity. It should come from an internationally recognized gemologist institution, the only one mentioned above. Most of them can attest to geographical origin, quality, form, clarity, etc.
Conclusion
What better provider than Navratan, which has a collection of all the certified and natural gemstones? You get certificates from international laboratories like IGTL, GRS, GIA, SSEF, and GUBELIN. You will also get the high-resolution images mentioned above. It is better to wait for the original thing than to let down your guard and buy a fake one.
Become the owner of certified blue sapphire today!
