Kashmir, the supreme source for less than 50 years, has been a lost cause since the 1920s when production all but petered out. In Burma, now Myanmar, investment is non-existent and miners have focused their limited resources on the more plentiful ruby. In 1974, Cambodia’s famed Paillin region was decreed off-limits to gem mining and this border region remains troubled. About 10 years ago, Thailand’s Katchanaburi sapphire fields ceased to be worth the time and trouble to work. And more recently, miners have been asked to leave Madagascar, the most promising new source for fine sapphire.

All this, says one New York dealer, has left Sri Lanka (still stubbornly called Ceylon by old timers) “the only steady producer left of large fine sapphire.”

So when it comes to newly mined fine blue sapphire, Sri Lanka is now the standard bearer for this species.

Treasure Island

Sri Lanka is the original treasure island. Sapphires are still routinely found every time someone digs a basement or plows a field after a heavy rain. What makes Sri Lankan sapphire so desirable is that it has a color that tends to a light and bright blue rather than the oversaturated dark navy blue of volcanic deposits like Australia or Thailand.

Of course, fine Sri Lankan sapphire also can display a rich vivid blue hue that can give Kashmir sapphire a run for its money. The reason why gemological laboratories are called upon to certify Kashmir origin is because some Sri Lankan sapphires are identical in color, with a sweetness to the hue that is not seen in sapphires from any other sources.

But not all beautiful blue Sri Lankan sapphire came out of the ground looking like that. Sri Lankan sapphire, like Brazilian aquamarine, is a stone that is customarily heated to permanently improve color. Indeed, low temperature, charcoal-fire heat has been used for centuries in Sri Lanka to sharpen hue and spruce up appearance. But this method has limited application. It didn’t do much good for the vast number of the country’s milky, rutile-ridden stones.

Sri Lanka’s production boomed when it was discovered that these milky white sapphires, known as geuda, contained all the raw ingredients in them for creating blue color, if only a way could be found to dissolve these ions into the crystal structure without melting the sapphire itself. In the mid-1970s, gem dealers in Thailand began to experiment with high-heat kilns and later controlled-atmosphere furnaces to transform geuda into blue sapphire. Heat turned cloudy stones clear and induced deep blue colors.

“The impact of the new heating technology was felt far more in the commercial than the fine goods sector,” says a New York cutter. “There was suddenly an enormous influx of pleasing lower and middle cost Sri Lankan sapphire.”

The influx couldn’t have come at a better time. As 1979s inflation drove up sapphire prices and Far East Asian political turbulence disrupted fresh supplies, Sri Lanka’s heatable sapphires became a godsend.

But the flood of affordable and beautiful gems subsided as the stockpiles of formerly discarded rough was treated and marketed. Geuda rough began to command higher and higher prices. Today, with heat treatment an established part of the business, geuda sells at a price appropriate for its potential blue color, not its current colorless state.

And with production now back to normal, Sri Lanka has returned to its role as the reliable slow but steady supplier of medium to fine material: the “Old Faithful” of blue sapphire.

Reference: http://www.modernjeweler.com/online/article.jsp?siteSection=1&id=550&pageNum=1

Sapphires in History

Because the blue of sapphires represents faithfulness and love, this gemstone is given in many countries as an engagement ring.
According to Christian beliefs, Moses was given the Ten Commandments on a tablet of sapphire, rendering it a sacred gemstone. Because of this, sapphires came to be associated with divine favor and became the choice gemstone for kings and rulers.

Origins and Presentation

Sapphires are second in hardness only to diamonds, allowing stones to last generations. An already valuable gemstone, the sapphire that holds its color in different types of lighting is the most prized.
Sapphires are found in Sri Lanka (the oldest mines are here), Thailand, Australia and Cambodia. Other countries produce sapphire but the most famed sources are Kashmir and Burma – now known as Myanmar.

Beyond Blues

Blue is the most celebrated color of the sapphire, yet the gemstone is available in an array of vibrant hues. In gem terms, a non-blue sapphire is known as a fancy sapphire. These unique gems are found in yellow, pink, purple, green and even white. For hundreds of years the existence of these distinct sapphires was virtually unknown outside of professional, gem-expert and collector circles.

Reference: http://www.pugster.org/sapphire-the-gem-of-the-heavens/

Right now, Pink Sapphires are very popular. The biggest mine of Sapphire in Madagascar that now includes approximately thirty Thai – owned companies to help address the issues of the burgeoning gem industry. The World Bank to help Madagascar manage it’s mineral resources more effectively. In the beginning a large amount of pink Sapphires haven’t interested in dealers because they could not be sure demand and designers had very little assurance that pink Sapphire would ever have a place in the trend market.

Pink Sapphires are of corundum like all other Sapphire difference only trace element of Cr make it’s become pink. The Pink Sapphire is soft sweet in color the transparency very good almost crystal clear especially the Sapphire found in Madagascar.

Pink Sapphire medium light color it’s often to be single tone on a jewelry with fancy color and another gemstone the color of pink is natural color it is virtually impossible to enhance the pink color, unlike other sapphires.

The method to take care of pink without flow is don’t keep gemstone which different hardness together because it may be scratch.

“Where is blue Sapphire come from?” You should ever ask this question. There is the answer in this article.

In the world, There are many mines of blue sapphire. In each mine produce a different blue sapphire such as color, clarity, and inclusion. These factors make the price of each mine different.

Ceylon

Ceylon is the mine of sapphire in Sri Lanka, They have more color of sapphire. Mostly blue sapphire have grayish – blue to slightly purplish – blue color the characteristics of them is more fire, intenses color and inclusion as like as silk.

Blue Sapphire from Ceylon is more popular because it’s good quality, good color and more fire. Importantly, The price is so high.

Thailand

The important blue sapphire mine in Thailand is a mind Kanchanaburi and Chanthaburi – Trad. The color of Blue sapphire is rather than beautiful.

Kanchanaburi, Thailand

At Aumphur “Borploy”, we can find a good quality blue sapphire but the color is so dark.

Chantaburi -Trad, Thailand

The most of blue sapphire is clearly and color zoning easily to see that. The color is greenish blue to dark blue. Right now, it’s too difficult to find in the market.

Madagascar, Africa

The color is nearly pastel color, pale blue , purplish blue and violetish blue. They are between Ceylon and Thailand.

Cambodia

Blue sapphire from Cambodia is the most of the world. The cause of politics, it was find a little bit in the market. Pailin, that ,known in thai language is come from mane of Blue mine in Cambodia. The important market is Chanthaburi because it near borderland of Cambodia.

Australia

The color is dark blue as like as an ink. The characteristic is dark color, color banding or color zoning. And mostly, darker stone are heated in Thailand to decrease color.

In the most, Blue sapphire is come from Ceylon, Kanchanaburi and Madagasca. Because they’ re good quality, good color and many stone in the mine.

When a package is lost, no one wins – not the exporter, importer, shipping agent nor the insurance company. A customer is lost, an order is cancelled, a wedding ring is not delivered and an exhibitor is without goods for a show. Whether you are shipping by air freight, courier or with the postal service, the following five tips may prevent headaches and reduce the chance of loss.

Tip #1 Securely package your merchandise

Use additional packaging material to prevent your goods from ratting or moving inside the box. Make sure to secure the outside of the package with heavy-duty tape. In transit, the package goes through temperature changes, sorting machine, x-ray devices and is packed with other types of cargo. Make sure your package can withstand the most difficult of conditions. Never sand valuable items in an envelope or pak because they are easier to steal and do not adequately protect your merchandise from damage. Double box your shipments to prevent “poke and grab” thefts. Using two boxes will add weight, disguise the content, make your packaging more secure and will prevent thieves from quickly gaining access to your goods.

Tip #2 Confirm with your recipient prior to shipping a parcel

Prior to sending any parcel, confirm the recipient’s address and telephone number and any special sending requirements. Each country’s customs procedure will vary, so it is important to confer with your customer to avoid unnecessary delays. Delays or incorrect delivery instructions will put your package at greater risk. After sending the package, inform your recipient of the tracking number and the estimated time of delivery.

Tip #3 Properly label packages and avoid making reference to valuables

Abbreviate recipient name, if possible, to avoid using words like “Jewelry, Gold, Platinum, Diamonds” etc… on the courier Air Waybill. Where international regulatory procedures permit, use the harmonized tariff code instead of indicating the actual commodity description. Try to make the package as generic as possible – opportunist thieves will target shipments they believe to be valuable.

Tip #4 Purchase insurance for all your valuable shipments

Where possible, both the shipper and recipient should track the shipment with the forwarder, courier or post office. Never give out your tracking number or contents of your package to anyone. If there is a delay, immediately inquire /follow-up to expedite delivery.

Tip #5 Purchase insurance for all your valuable shipments

In addition to taking the above precautions, make sure to purchase insurance for your shipment. Insurance is a necessary and important cost of doing business. No matter how secure or insecure a shipping method, there is always a small probability of loss. Review your insurance terms and conditions with your shipping staff on a regular basis to ensure full compliance. If you are not satisfied with the terms and conditions of your coverage, consult your shipping agent or insurance company.

SWD Ruby Sapphire Gemstone Wholesaler is the gemstone wholesaler who export the gemstone worldwide.

Right now, let’s find the variety of gems article in the links on the right hand side of this post!!