The Naming of Sapphires

Corundum of fine blue color is known as "sapphire." The "cornflower blue" seems to be most in favor at present. Such sapphires are sometimes called "Kashmir sapphires" because many fine ones come from that State. "Ceylon sapphires" are usually paler than the cornflower blue. "Montana sapphires" are usually of greenish blue or pale electric blue. Such fine blue stones as are mined in Montana would be sold under another name according to the quality of their color, and not as "Montana sapphires." "Australian sapphires" are of a very deep, inky blue, and do not command a high price. Here again, as with rubies, the classification depends upon the color rather than upon the origin, although the geographical names that are used, correctly state the usual source of stones of the particular color.

All corundums other than ruby and blue sapphire are usually called by the term "sapphire," with a qualifying adjective designating the color; thus we may have pink sapphire, golden sapphire, green sapphire, etc. When of very fine yellow color the yellow sapphire is sometimes called "Oriental topaz" by jewelers, the term "Oriental" as thus used indicating that the material is corundum. We also have "Oriental amethyst" and "Oriental emerald" for the purple, and the fine green, and "Oriental aquamarine" for the light blue-green corundum. The yellow corundum is also sometimes called "King topaz," especially in Ceylon. Inferior sapphires of almost every conceivable color are frequently assorted in lots and sold as "fancy sapphires." Such lots, however, almost always need reclassification as they often contain as many as a dozen mineral species besides corundum.

Sapphires and rubies of minute tubular internal structure frequently display a beautiful six-pointed star when cut to a round-topped cabochon shape and exposed to direct sunlight or to light from any other single source. Such stones are named "star sapphire" and "star ruby."