Star sapphires are stunning, but it can be hard to tell whether they’re the same as regular sapphires without looking at them very closely. Star sapphire are genuine sapphires, and they’re different from other kinds of colored gems because of their unique asterism, or six-rayed star patterns. This article will help you learn more about star sapphires, their history, their value, and how to care for them if you buy one!
Star Sapphire vs. Rainbow Sapphire
The confusion over star sapphire and rainbow sapphire is understandable. Both stones are made of corundum, meaning that both belong to the same mineral family. The difference is in how they formed. Rainbow sapphires occur when natural cracks develop in a rough diamond crystal during formation, letting light stream through and causing a distinct pattern that creates a rainbow effect; these stones aren’t cut into faceted jewels but are rather left in their raw form to be appreciated for their unusual appearance. It’s all about how they form, not what they’re made of, so it’s easy to see why people would assume star sapphire is one and the same with rainbow sapphire.
However, star sapphires have a different origin: These gems get their name from asterism, which refers to any gemstone that exhibits a six-rayed star shape when viewed under magnification. While there are several types of asterism (including hessonite stars), only those found in certain kinds of corundum display an asterism known as asteria. These rare gems may also display additional forms of asterism known as striations, which resemble tiny rays shooting out from the center like spokes on a wheel. Since they share similar origins and appearances, it’s easy to understand why some people confuse star sapphire with rainbow sapphire—but don’t let your own assumptions get you down! There are plenty of differences between these two gems.
Is Star Sapphire Rarer Than Regular Sapphire?
Are star sapphires real sapphires, or are they a completely different stone? Is star sapphire more rare than regular sapphire? That’s what I want to talk about today. My understanding is that while star and regular sapphire do share some similarities, each one can be considered unique. If you’re thinking of buying either type of stone, it’s important to know how they differ so you don’t accidentally pay more for something that may not be any better than what you can find elsewhere for less money. I would like to start off by saying both types of stone have great qualities; whether you choose a regular or a star variety is just personal preference.
Now let’s take a look at some of their differences. A quick glance at both stones reveals there is definitely a difference in appearance between them. When looking at an image of either gemstone, you will notice immediately that regular sapphire appears to be rounder in shape with fewer stars inside, whereas star sapphire has many tiny stars (or sometimes one large star) inside its crystal structure—hence its name! The other major difference between these two gems is where they come from. Most people assume all sapphires come from Australia because most fine quality specimens originate there, but did you know Burma produces over half of all the world’s blue corundum?
Where Do Star Sapphires Come From?
First and foremost, are star sapphires real sapphires? The answer is yes and no. On one hand, they can be classified as corundum (sapphire, ruby or a mix of both). But you can’t just say that all sapphires are also star sapphires because not all corundum has a crystalline structure that gives it star qualities. There is actually a unique process to creating these types of gemstones. In short, synthetic material is added to natural mined corundum in order to form a star effect when properly cut. This isn’t done with all corundum gems though, only ones that have a naturally occurring six-rayed star shape. So if you see star sapphire on an item for sale and there aren’t any asterisks (*) next to it, then it’s most likely not a true star sapphire. It could still be an amazing piece of jewelry though!
What Does a Star Sapphire Look Like Up Close?
Star sapphires form in a similar way to rubies. During their formation, metallic aluminum (which forms before iron and titanium) is trapped beneath. A crystallized crust of corundum (also known as sapphire). Inclusions of these lighter materials within a body of corundum give star sapphires their characteristic sparkle and brilliance. This is because light reflects off of these inclusions. Similar to how light reflects off tiny air bubbles in glass. When it gives gems like diamonds and ruby their luster. The more included material there is, or star. Makes for a more colorful gem that has an effect on its value. Red star sapphires can be found in India, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Burma (Myanmar), Australia and Tanzania.
How Does a Star Sapphire Form?
When a sapphire forms, it normally crystallizes with six sides. But when these six-sided crystals are cut and polished, they end up looking like regular sapphires. In order to distinguish star sapphires from regular ones. You’ll need to look at their internal structure particularly at. An extreme close-up where you can actually see them in three dimensions. Under magnification, star sapphires will have eight sides (making eight-sided crystals).
Normal sapphires do not form in eight-sided crystals; only those found in nature show off their natural star formation patterns. The reason why some people claim that all blue gems called sapphires. Are really just cubic zirconia is because most blue gems on the market today aren’t true sapphires. Many of them are treated or enhanced with heat to achieve their color, so they don’t naturally exhibit star formations. It’s worth noting that both types of gemstones have different chemical compositions. Real sapphires contain aluminum oxide while cubic zirconia contains zirconium dioxide.
