x-ray diffraction or Raman-Spectroscopy has to step in. In very rare cases advanced technology like element analysis by e.g. Careful microscopic studies of inclusions mostly lead to successful identification, where loupe and experience do not suffice. Other synthetics, which are produced by more sophisticated and expensive methods, can pose serious problems, though. The synthetic sapphires encountered most frequently in the trade are so-called Verneuil sapphires In any case diagnosis usually is quite simple, considering their very different optical properties. However, being what they are – rare collector´s gems – they are hard to come by on the market. Some rare collector´s gems like benitoite, cyanite or haüyin come in sapphire-like blues. Occassionally one encounters sapphire spinel for blue spinel or sapphire quartz for blue chalcedony.īlue Tourmalines were sometimes labelled Brazilian sapphires, Uralian sapphire or some such nonsens.Ĭan be confused with: other blue gems, synthetics and glass.īlue sapphire might be confused with tanzanite or iolite. The terms lux sapphire (or luxsapphire) and water sapphire for iolite were relatively common some decades ago. We strongly condemn this practice, the sole purpose of which is to ennoble cheaper gems and entice potential customers to buy, sometimes for too high a price. There are, however, a number of trade names containing the word "sapphire". These words denote blue gem stones like sapphire, lapis lazuli and possibly some others. Origin of name: from greek σάπφειρος, sappheiros, which derives from Hebrew ספיר, cappiyr. Thus one speaks of yellow sapphire, purple sapphire, padparaja sapphire etc. The stand-alone term sapphire always means the blue variety. The orange colours are caused by beryllium treatment. All non-red varieties of the mineral corundum.Ī lot of multicoloured sapphires and a blue sapphire bufftop.
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