Madagascar Sapphire

 
 

Madagascar is known for producing some of the finest sapphires in the world. Some of the characteristics of Madagascar sapphires and their composition are:

  1. Color: Madagascar sapphires are known for their vivid and saturated blue color, which is often compared to the color of the ocean.

  2. Clarity: Madagascar sapphires are often free of visible inclusions, making them highly sought after.

  3. Cut: Madagascar sapphires are typically cut in the cushion or oval shape to maximize their brilliance and color.

  4. Size: Madagascar sapphires can range in size from small stones to several carats in weight.

  5. Composition: The chemical composition of Madagascar sapphires is mainly aluminum oxide with trace amounts of iron, titanium, and chromium. The presence of these trace elements gives the sapphires their unique blue color.

Overall, Madagascar sapphires are highly sought after for their beauty, durability, and rarity.

Madagascar is known for producing some of the finest sapphires in the world, and there are many famous examples. Here are a few notable ones:

  1. The Neelanjali Ruby and Sapphire Parure - This parure, or set of jewelry, was created by the French jewelry house Van Cleef & Arpels and features a 42.23-carat Madagascan sapphire as its centerpiece. The set also includes rubies and diamonds and was created in 1971 for the Indian actress Neelanjali.

  2. The Queen of Madagascar Sapphire - This 46.60-carat cushion-cut sapphire is named after the Queen of Madagascar, Ranavalona III, who was deposed by the French in 1897. The sapphire is now part of the collection at the Natural History Museum in London.

  3. The Blue Belle of Asia - This 400-carat sapphire is one of the largest in the world and is believed to have been mined in Madagascar. It was originally owned by a member of the Sri Lankan royal family and was sold at auction in 2014 for over $17 million.

  4. The Millenium Sapphire - This 61,500-carat sapphire is one of the largest in the world and was cut from a single piece of rough stone found in Madagascar. It is now part of the collection at the Smithsonian Institution.

  5. The Lindi Star Sapphire - This 398.72-carat star sapphire was also mined in Madagascar and is named after the Lindi River in Tanzania, where it was found. It is one of the largest star sapphires in the world and is currently part of a private collection.