ORIGIN
Central Queensland, Australia

DIMENSIONS
5mm diameter x 3.1mm deep

CARAT WEIGHT
0.58ct

CUT
Round brilliant cut

COLOUR
Vivid teal blue

TREATMENT
No heat

COMMENTS Despite its smaller size this stone packs a punch – this is a knockout sapphire in the much sought-after teal blue colour. Even better, the colour is natural as the stone has not been treated in any way, including heat. The lapidary has selected a brilliant round cut which traditionally maximises light return and brightness; the reason why it is so popular with diamonds. As a result, it faces up very bright and lively. This gem would be lovely set in a simple stacker ring or pendant.

Commercial quantities of sapphire have been mined for more than 100 years in numerous locations situated along the Great Dividing Range in Eastern Australia, from Tasmania to North Queensland. Major commercial deposits occur in the New England District in northern NSW – Inverell and Glen Innes – and the Central Queensland Gemfields – Anakie, Sapphire, Rubyvale and The Willows, as well as Lava Plains in North Queensland. Besides professional operations, there are many part-time artisanal hand miners and hobby fossickers on the Gemfields.

DURABILITY Sapphire’s high hardness – 9 on Mohs scale – and its excellent durability render it ideal for most types of jewellery settings.