Knowledge
Beautiful blue sapphires have been unearthed for over 1000 years in the old Burmese mines, and are a rare occurrence amongst a sea of rubies. Highly coveted for their rich blue hue, the exceptional qualities of these sapphires have led to them becoming one of nature’s most sought after, yet elusive gems.
Gemstones
The Historic Burmese Mines
For hundreds of years, Burma, today Myanmar, is known to have produced some of the world's most valuable and beautiful gems. Precious gemstones take millions of years to form naturally and require specific events, which bring together rare natural elements in unique conditions. Burma sits along the line where the Indian and Asian subcontinents collided in prehistoric times, which has led to exceptional geological conditions.
The Mogok Stone Tract is the most legendary gemstone source within Burma. A historic city in the Mandalay region, this area was famously inhospitable and difficult to get to, in a time long before commercial air travel and established infrastructure.
While the majority of gemstones mined in Burma are rubies, equally sought-after by connoisseurs are Burmese sapphires, which account for fewer than 10% of all material discovered in this area.
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£68,000
Introduced to the world in the 19th century, today these rare sapphires are among the most coveted in the world, and the old mines of Burma are considered to be one of the most desired localities for a sapphire, sitting just behind Kashmir in terms of value.
As renowned mineralogist, GF Herbert Smith, once stated “nowhere in the world are such superb sapphires produced as in Burma!”
The Beautiful Hues of a Burmese Sapphire
Burmese sapphires are particularly desired for their extraordinary quality and an intense, highly saturated rich colour. Typically darker than other sapphires they often exhibit a midnight blue hue, sometimes with lighter violet undertones.
For those sapphires with an exceptional colouration, the colour may be given a further title. The term ‘royal blue', is reserved for sapphires of a pure and saturated blue hue and is usually associated with the finest of Burmese sapphires. In some instances, a Burmese sapphire can also be given the status of a ‘deep royal blue’ when the tone is deeper but the colour no less exquisite.
On ocassion, fancy colour sapphires (those in colours other than blue) have been mined in Burma, although not with the same prevalence as in Ceylon. Purples and yellows are among some of the more commonly found fancy sapphires unearthed from these mines, with pink and green hues also being seen.
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Other Physical Qualities
Found in much larger sizes than their ruby counterparts, some faceted Burmese sapphires are known to weigh up to 100 carats in size.
Burmese sapphires display silk inclusions, formed from rutile needles scattering the light within the stone, enhancing its brilliance and creating a velvety softness which only adds to its allure.
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A Record Breaking Gem
One of the most famous sapphires to come from the old Burmese mines is the Rockefeller Sapphire, a rectangular step-cut gem weighing over 62 carats. Once in the collection of an Indian Maharaja, thought to be the Nizam of Hyderabad, it was then bought by John D. Rockefeller Jr. in 1934. Set into a ring, this piece has twice sold for record breaking prices at auction!
Each Burmese sapphire we offer is natural and free from treatments, allowing the innate beauty of these rare gems to shine through! One of the most versatile colours, the blue Burmese sapphire is highly sought after today, and our collection offers incredible examples in an array of different styles and types of jewel.
Should you be in the market for something exceptional, then our Burmese sapphire necklace/ tiara set with perfectly matching sapphires is a truly astonishing find.
Many of our signed pieces by renowned jewellery houses also showcase this exquisite gemstone. Cartier, Boucheron and Mellerio, to name just a few, used only the highest quality gemstones in their pieces and it is no surprise that Burmese sapphires are the centrepiece for many designs.
Burmese sapphire earrings can add a sophisticated elegance to any outfit and would prove to be a most unique and thoughtful gift. People who are born in September are lucky enough to have this gem as their birthstone!
A Burmese sapphire engagement ring is a perfect way to show your loved one how rare and special they are and with an immeasurable number of unique rings to choose from, we invite you to our showroom today where our specialists would be happy to talk you through the lore and legend behind each one.
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Kasmir Sapphires
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Ceylon Sapphires
Madagascar Sapphires
Colombian Emeralds
After Kashmir sapphires, Burmese sapphires typically command the highest price out of all sapphires.
Yes, Burmese sapphires from the old mines are very rare to come by, especially those which have not been exposed to treatments.
As each sapphire is different in its characteristics, the ideal cut is one which will showcase the colour to the best effect, as this is where both the value, and enjoyment, of a Burmese sapphire lies!
A historic gem, the finest examples of Burmese sapphires are in antique and vintage jewels, such as the ones in the Berganza’s vintage jewellery in London.
