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Sapphire

The name “sapphire” can also apply to any corundum that’s not ruby red, another corundum variety.

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A diamond necklace that features a 100.02 Fancy Intense yellow diamond. The pendant is done in the shape of a musical instrument.

Article

Bullish Predictions for 2019 Holiday Sales Despite Concerns, Sotheby’s Hong Kong Auction Sales

Russell Shor, October 21, 2019

U.S. holiday sales predictions are better than expected. Sotheby’s Hong Kong auction features a 100 ct yellow diamond necklace by GIA alumna Anna Hu.

A large group of people outside on GIA’s Carlsbad, California campus.

Article

Guardians of Trust: GIA’s Innovative Research, Instruments and Services

Russell Shor, September 20, 2019

GIA’s services and instruments have grown in importance and impact as new gem treatments and laboratory-grown gems enter the market.

Madagascar Sapphire: Low-Temperature Heat Treatment Experiments

E. Billie Hughes and Rosey Perkins, August 15, 2019

Shows how the color of Madagascar sapphire is lightened with heating to relatively low temperatures below 1350°C.

Man sits at his desk with a display stand of multiple pieces of jewelry in front of him.

Article

Alum’s Lifelong Quest: Searching for Jewelry Unicorns

, August 14, 2019

Alan Nacht continues his family’s legacy - Bernard Nacht & Co. – and his quest for unforgettable jewelry.

The octopus head is a baroque Tahitian cultured pearl and its arms are made of black, yellow and white diamond (in a striped pattern) set in black-plated 18K gold.

Article

A Tropical Paradise of Ocean-Inspired Jewelry and Gemstones

Sharon Bohannon, August 9, 2019

Escape to a warm-water paradise in your mind with these jewels that formed in the sea, are inspired by marine life and evoke the ocean’s essence.

Looking down the crystal axis of a backlit 58.83 ct trapiche emerald

Article

Emerald: The Superstar of Trapiche Gemstones

Sharon Bohannon, May 17, 2019

Trapiche emeralds, which display a distinct six-spoke wheel pattern, set the standard as some of the finest and most spectacular crystals unearthed.

U-Pb Ages of Zircon Inclusions in Sapphires from Ratnapura and Balangoda (Sri Lanka) and Implications for Geographic Origin

Emilie Elmaleh, Susanne Theodora Schmidt, Stefanos Karampelas, Klemens Link, Lore Kiefert, Annette Süssenberger, and André Paul, May 15, 2019

Establishes a metamorphic origin for sapphire samples from these deposits, supported by their trace-element composition and inclusion characterization, including the age dating of zircon inclusions.

Details of two engravings representing the treasury of Aachen Cathedral.

The Talisman of Charlemagne: New Historical and Gemological Discoveries

Gerard Panczer, Geoffray Riondet, Lauriane Forest, Michael S. Krzemnicki, Davy Carole, and Florian Faure, May 15, 2019

Reveals new details about this historical jewel and the results of its first gemological analysis.

Land of Origins: A Gemological Expedition to Ethiopia

Wim Vertriest, Daniel Girma, Patcharee Wongrawang, Ungkhana Atikarnsakul, and Kevin Schumacher, May 15, 2019

Documents a visit to the sapphire, opal, and emerald mining and trading areas of Ethiopia.

A group of rough sapphires encircle cut sapphires.

Article

Montana Yogo Sapphires’ Unique Gemology

Russell Shor, April 19, 2019

A look at the mining and distinguishing characteristics of this naturally vibrant blue sapphire.

This Month's

Featured Gems

Peridot

Found in lava, meteorites, and deep in the earth’s mantle, yellow-green peridot is the extreme gem.

Fancy Color Diamond

Dazzling brilliance. Captivating color. These are the planet’s most valued gems.

Diamond

Diamonds are among nature’s most precious and beautiful creations.

Emerald

Emerald is the bluish green to green variety of beryl, a mineral species that includes aquamarine.

Citrine

Citrine is the transparent, pale yellow to brownish orange variety of quartz.

View the Gem Encyclopedia

Sapphire

Research

Reviewed

Topics

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Gemstones

Gemstones

Featured Gems

Peridot

Fancy Color Diamond

Diamond

Emerald

Citrine

Sapphire

Research

Reviewed

Topics

Topics

Gemstones

Gemstones

Featured Gems

Peridot

Fancy Color Diamond

Diamond

Emerald

Citrine

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