Black sapphire is among the corundum family of minerals which includes sapphire and ruby. Thus, black sapphires represent an interesting and relatively recent type of sapphires that are generally known to be blue. In this article you will learn more about black sapphire gemstone, its properties, different meanings, value, and others.
About Black Sapphire Stone
Black sapphires therefore fit in the sapphire group, which is in the precious gemstones category. If they are not blue sapphires, they are referred to as ‘fancy’ or ‘fancy colour’ sapphires and those ones range enormously in their price.
Thus, not only jewelry industries, but other industries have also been influenced by black sapphires.
For instance, there is a hair colour L’oreal Paris hair dye color referred to as ‘Black Sapphire’. Another example is a car colour specifically, that of metallic black BMW’s, which you can refer to as ‘Black Sapphire’.
To gems, sapphire is the September birthstones, Taurus’s stone, and authentic 5th, 45 and 75 years wedding anniversary stones.
As for the mystical meaning, black sapphire could be mentioned as an appropriate replacement for black onyx as well as December birthstone for Leo zodiac sign.
Well, regarding that, is it black sapphire the same as what we commonly know as onyx? Not exactly but they are somewhat related – and at the same time they are very different.
Black Sapphire vs. Onyx:
The following are the summary of the points of differences noted:
Thus, even if Black Sapphire and Onyx appear to be similar to each other because they are both black, they are completely different from each other in respect to their composition, characteristics, symbolism, and purposes.
1. Composition
Black Sapphire: A type of corundum it is a mineral species belonging to the class of oxides, the chemical formula of which is Al2O3 sapphires and rubies belong to this class of minerals.
Onyx: A member of chalcedony group that is a subcategory of cryptocrystalline silica minerals species which also includes agate jasper and carnelian.
2. Hardness
Black Sapphire: It has a rating of 9 on the Mohs hardness scale which is so hard to cut.
Onyx: 6. 15-17 on the Vickers hardness scale, a bit softer as compared to Black Sapphire.
3. Appearance
Black Sapphire: Usually colourless but may be tinted a bright blue or purple.
Onyx: Freight car often has progressive broad bands of different colours, black, white, and red. , though it can also be solid black.
4. Meaning and Symbolism
Black Sapphire: Synonymous to luxury, class and the high ranging lifestyles. Reported to influence such aspects as harmony, rationality, and defence.
Onyx: It stands for power, friendless, and concentration. Practitioners are believed to harness as well as metabolize negative energy.
5. Value and Price
Black Sapphire: Normally more precious and costly, given that they are rare and are meant to have a long lasting more so compared to the usual jewelry.
Onyx: Cheaper and more easily available much as compared to some other grains.
6. Uses
Black Sapphire: Used mostly in jewelry such as necklaces, engagement rings, and in the manufacturing of wristwatches as well as other high end products.
Onyx: Also used in fashion jewelry, pendants, rings, and decorative trinkets that are commonly used in jewelry items.
7. Care and Maintenance
Black Sapphire: It is also easily washable with warm water and soap that does not need bleach or other such strong chemicals. Avoid harsh chemicals.
Onyx: Throw in washing machine or wash by hand in a weak detergent and warm water. Do not expose to acid, heat, and do not abuse with strong chemical solvents.
8. Rarity
Black Sapphire: Not frequently encountered much less in their larger sizes in the market.
Onyx: More available and more easily accessible.
9. History and Lore
Black Sapphire: Has been in jewelry and adornment for ages, the cultures of ancient Greece and Rome included it.
Onyx: Is as old as the Bible and other, Greek and Roman literature where the waters had been already blessed in the name of deity.
What is Black Star Sapphire?.
Before discussing the specifics of black star sapphires, it is necessary to take a look at several basics.
Star Sapphire Basics
It should however be noted that among the sapphires, there are types which are capable of exhibiting asterism. These stones which are referred to as the ‘star sapphire’ or ‘asteriated sapphire’ possess star-shaped light rays. All have six-rayed stars but some gems are one in a million and they have 12-rayed stars.
This originates from multiple parallel layers that are incorporated in the design and that act differently from the sapphire base.
Body colours include black, pink and blue while the aventurescence ranges from golden, coppery, reddish or greenish. Star sapphires with a yellow, orange or green color are the rarest.
Black Sapphire Gemstone Properties
Black sapphire price will vary depending on color, cut, carat weight of the gemstone, presence of treatments, whether it is natural or synthetic.
In summary, black star sapphires are somewhat more valuable than the common black sapphires with the value depending on the same aspects. The only independent variables are, therefore, the star type — bigger, brighter, different stars are more desirable.
Color
Thus, black sapphire might have a very dark blue, green, purple or gray shade to it. The fairest colors are pure black both the regular and the asteriated stones.
Cut
Most of the black sapphires are cut and shaped in to faceted stones, especially are shaped into fancy shapes to enhance their beauty and to be able to show the brilliance of the black sapphire.
For a black star sapphire to have the star viewed effectively it has to be cut as a cabochon. Basically, the best cabochons possess the star that is positioned in the middle of the dome.
Carat Weight
Black sapphires can be sourced in large quantities and therefore it will not be very hard to source for a large black sapphire at a cheap rate. Yet, black star sapphires are rarer and if the stones above 5 carats, then they might be expensive.
Treatments & Synthetics
The majority of sapphires available in the market today undergo heat treatment to enhance the stone’s characteristics. Black sapphire isn’t as rare, so treatments are less frequent, even if some stones are sometimes heated to enhance their hue.
Therapists are more frequently used in black star sapphires. One of the modern samples described by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) is a black star sapphire with the inclusions of glass and dopping varnish, as well as the lead glass-filled black star sapphire.
Also, it is worth to note that black sapphires are not produced quite often either. Hence, synthetic black star sapphires are easily available than the others types of sapphires.
Black Sapphire Formation & Sources
Formation:
Sapphire gems, especially black sapphire, are developed in the tough mineral matrix of igneous or metamorphic rocks collectively called corundum.
In igneous rocks it forms during the cooling the rock from magma and in sedimentary they are formed either by removal of liquid or by the action of mineralizing fluid. When cool slowly, it is possible to enhance big crystal formation.
These igneous rocks must contain aluminum and lacking silica to be classified as such.
This kind of development takes place when the sea-beds that are transformed through metamorphism of hot, aluminum-laureate solutions.
Sources:
Primary Sources:
Australia: Sri-Lanka is famous for splendid, big black sapphires of superior quality.
Kenya: Large producer of black sapphires, as well as official transit point.
Madagascar: Recource of black sapphires matted including geographical locations as well as producers.
Thailand: Black sapphires most important source.
Black Star Sapphires:
Australia: Original producer of black star sapphires.
Cambodia: A major producer of the black star sapphires.
Laos: One of the major suppliers of black star sapphires.
Myanmar: One of the most engraved source of black star sapphires.
Sierra Leone: Serious producer of black star sapphires.
Sri Lanka: Main producer of black star sapphires.
Tanzania: Sources Black star sapphires are an important source.
Thailand: Second hand sources of black star sapphires.
Mining Locations:
Black sapphires are found in different region around the world but the primary producer is Australia.
Other major suppliers of catfish are Kenya, Madagascar and Thailand.
Today, black star sapphires are sourced in areas such as; Australia, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, Tanzania as well as Thailand.
