Quality

Kashmir Sapphire is a highly valuable gemstone that exists in a wide range of quality. This gemstone is judged by examining its Colour, Clarity, and Cut. The best quality Kashmir Sapphire often displays a brilliant blue colour with a velvety texture. However, it is not easy to find Kashmir Sapphire of such quality. This is because no new Sapphires are coming from blue Sapphire mines in Kashmir. Therefore, availability is quite limited.

•         Colour

Kashmir Sapphires are found in pure cornflower blue to extremely dark or palest blue colour. Top quality Kashmiri Sapphire stones bear a deeply intense blue colour which is bright at the same time. Gemologically, Cornflower Blue Sapphire is regarded as the most sought-after variety due to its bright ‘pure’ blue hue intensified by its velvety texture. Royal Blue Kashmir Sapphire is the next highly preferred choice.

•         Clarity

Kashmir Sapphire stones are indisputably identified by its finest rutile needles (Titanium oxide, TiO2) that results in coveted soft and velvety sheen. These inclusions create a slight decrease in stone’s transparency which is well-compensated by its beautiful hue. Such kinds of inclusions are often regarded as the potentially helpful indicators to determine their origin and authenticity.

•         Cut

Kashmir Sapphire gemstones are rarely found in perfectly symmetrical cuts. Highly fancy cuts are often avoided for commercial considerations like carat weight retention. Kashmiri Sapphire stones, with best compromise between size and appearance is considered most desirable.

Blue Sapphire Prices

Being astrologically important, the Blue Sapphire price in India or outside trends in a wide range of ₹ 2,500 and ₹ 2,00,000 plus per carat. Worth of Blue Sapphire stems from its rarity and popularity as a jewellery gemstone.

• Origin

Ceylon Blue Sapphire price per carat ranges between ₹ 2000 and ₹ 32,000 plus because of overall decent quality. Thailand Blue Sapphires are much cheaper. Kashmir Sapphire price per carat range stays between ₹ 50,000 and ₹ 5,00,000 plus because of ‘true blue’ colour and velvety texture associated with this origin.

• Colour

‘True Blue’ or Royal Blue is the most desirable colour in Blue Sapphires. In addition, tone, saturation and colour consistency carry considerable influence on Blue Sapphire’s overall value. A bright, pure blue and vividly saturated piece draws much higher price in the market than Sapphires that are too dark or too blue or gray.

• Clarity

Finding an Eye clean original Blue Sapphire is exceptionally rare since almost every original Neelam stone contains inclusions in the form of rutile needles (Silk). Also, location, volume and nature of inclusions can influence Neelam’s cost.

• Carat Weight

It is quite rare to come across an original, flawless Blue Sapphire above a few carats because colour and clarity are highly unlikely to co-exist on the same scale. Unsurprisingly, for such a piece, Neelam price in India or anywhere can range in millions.

• Cut & Shape

A finely cut Blue Sapphire fetches good money in the market as it can enhance the brightness of the stone and conceal the visible inclusions. If quality remains the same, rounder or oval shaped Blue Sapphires are cheaper than square or other custom shapes because of the stone wastage incurred in the process.

• Treatment

Sapphires are heat treated to enhance colour and remove colour zoning. Natural, unheated Blue Sapphires are usually more valuable (depending on other factors) than heated or chemically altered stones. Lab created Blue Sapphires are often sold as genuine pieces but are neither worthy nor astrologically significant.