Madagascan Blue Sapphire Value

Cornflower blue eye clean.

Madagascan blue sapphire value.

Madagascar is a relative newcomer as a major sapphire source but its stones can have an intense blue. Twelve untreated madagascar blue sapphire samples selected from parcels from three locations were prepared for the heating experiments. This record breaking sale is a testament to the rapidly growing sapphire market and the high value that sapphires can command during a sale. None untreated in any way.

In november 2014 the blue belle of asia a 392 52 carat ceylon sapphire was sold for over 17 million setting the record for the most expensive sapphire ever sold at auction. In addition to sapphire a large variety of other gemstones are mined from madagascar including fine rubies tourmaline aquamarine emerald garnet. The most valued blue sapphires are velvety blue to violetish blue in medium to medium dark tones. Blue sapphires usually have some inclusions but generally have better clarity than rubies.

The most expensive sapphire was sold on record costing 135 000 per carat. Although hue counts the closer to a pure blue the better saturation is more important. Samples 1 4 were collected by rosey perkins in 2017 in bemainty madagascar. So when major sapphire deposits were found in madagascar in 1998 it created a sensation in the gems world and a gemstone fever in madagascar reminiscient of the gold rush in california in 1849.

Madagascar can t compete with the mystique of kashmir burma or even montana and sri lanka but it can compete on color and quality. Untreated natural blue sapphire these precious stones come direct from mines. As we heat to higher levels these fissures begin to heal at the edges. Madagascar blue sapphire new gem deposits are always being found in some part of the world or other but large finds are very rare.

The price of a sapphire is determined based on its quality which means that a large low quality sapphire would be a lot cheaper than a small but very high quality sapphire. Blue sapphire from madagascar is often darker in color but not as inky when compared to many australian sapphire. Many sapphires on the market are actually grayish. 7 1 x 5 3 x 3 7 mm.

The vast quantities of madagascar sapphire keep good quality sapphire prices very affordable especially in the pinks. Color has the greatest influence on a sapphire s value and preferred sapphires have strong to vivid color saturation. Heating of a madagascar sapphire a. Sapphire s value depends mainly on color but country of origin also affects value.

Before heat treatment sample 6 shows a group of small crystals within decolorized areas as well as distinctive swaths of color zoning. Color is the most important element in estimating the value of blue sapphire. Fancy color sapphire from madagascar is often quite vivid and clean. Samples 5 8 were purchased by a team from lotus gemology on a 2016 trip to ilakaka madagascar.