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Sapphire is a saturated shade of blue, referring to the gemstone of the same name. Sapphire gems most commonly occur in a range of blue shades , although they can come in many different colors. Other names for variations of the color sapphire are blue sapphire or sapphire blue , shown below.
The desirability of particolored or bi-color sapphires is usually judged based on the zoning or location of their colors, the colors' saturation, and the contrast of their colors. [9] Australia is the largest source of particolored sapphires; they are not commonly used in mainstream jewelry and remain relatively unknown.
Lapis lazuli (UK: / ˌ l æ p ɪ s ˈ l æ z (j) ʊ l i, ˈ l æ ʒ ʊ-,-ˌ l i /; US: / ˈ l æ z (j) ə l i, ˈ l æ ʒ ə-,-ˌ l i /), or lapis for short, is a deep-blue metamorphic rock used as a semi-precious stone that has been prized since antiquity for its intense color.
Synthetic corundum includes ruby (red variation) and sapphire (other color variations), both of which are considered highly desired and valued. [58] Ruby was the first gemstone to be synthesized by Auguste Verneuil with his development of the flame-fusion process in 1902. [ 59 ]
Rubies have been treasured for millennia. In Sanskrit, the word for ruby is ratnaraj, meaning king of precious stones. Sapphire The most popular form of sapphire is blue sapphire, which is known for its medium to deep blue colour and strong saturation. Fancy sapphires of various colours are also available.
Sapphirine is a rare mineral, a silicate of magnesium and aluminium, with the chemical formula (Mg,Al) 8 (Al,Si) 6 O 20 (with iron as a major impurity). Named for its sapphire-like colour, sapphirine is primarily of interest to researchers and collectors: well-formed crystals are treasured and occasionally cut into gemstones.
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Asterism on the surface of a blue star sapphire. A purple-pink star sapphire displaying asterism in a platinum ring.. An asterism (from Ancient Greek ἀστήρ (astḗr) 'star' and -ism) is a star-shaped concentration of light reflected or refracted from a gemstone.