1.50 ct. Sapphirine
Color: Dark Grey-Blue
Clarity: Eye Clean
Origin: Near Kolonne, Sri Lanka
Cut: Oval
Treatments: None
Measurements: 7.4 x 6.5 mm
Sapphirine is an uncommon silicate mineral that owes it's unusual name to the fact that its color range can overlap that of Sapphire. Though Sapphirine clearly falls into the 'rare stone' category, it is a relatively durable stone with a Moh's hardness of 7.5. This makes it one of the few rare stones which are capable of being used in jewelry and admired as more than a gem confined to a case or stone paper. The typical color for these is a deep greenish-grayish blue that is often fairly dark in tone. The cutting and size has to be just right to enjoy these at their best - hence this lovely gem. Not overly large, it is remains fairly bright and is well cut - another factor helping the brilliance immensely. Classic color and just a flash of the coppery orange pleochroism that Sri Lankan stones are known for. Lovely example of this rarity.