Sapphires are a little bit of the sky on your finger or around your neck. Their fabulous deep blue colour makes them instantly recognisable. But did you now that sapphires also come in colours such as pinks and greens? They have been used in the manufacture of jewellery for centuries. There is also a very special kind of sapphire, called the star sapphire and this is a gemstone that is truly the queen of sapphires.

Star sapphires are unique in the world of gemstones. When viewed in the light these amazing stones display a shining six-point star in the centre of the stone. Star sapphires are not cut into oval cuts or round cuts, they are merely polished and finished as cabochons, which allows
the star to shine through. The star that you see in the centre of the sapphire is created by lightwaves reflecting off tiny inclusions in the stone. The value of these stones is determined by several characteristics, the radiance and overall attractiveness of the stone, judged by its colour and the strength and precision of the six point star.

The six-point star should have legs of equal length and prominence. Star sapphires as opposed to normal sapphires are more rare and so have more value and as a consequence they are far more collectible as a gemstone. If you already own one, make sure you treasure it! If you don’t already own one, now is definitely the time to invest in one, as they can only become rarer with the passing of time.