Blue corundum mineral

Types of blue corundum mineral

Blue corundum, a precious form of aluminum oxide, is popular around the world. Its main role is as a sapphire, which sparkles in blue, deep-sea tones. It comes in various forms, which serve different purposes, from jewelry to industrial tools and optical devices. Some of the more common types include:

• Natural blue corundum

  Found and mined from earth deposits, it often contains natural inclusions, such as rutile or silk, in the form of tiny needle-like inclusions. These can affect the color and clarity but are valued for their natural, unmodified beauty. Popular sources for natural blue corundum include Kashmir, Myanmar (Burma), and Sri Lanka, and its often prized more than treated stones based on its natural origin.

• Heat-treated blue corundum

  Heat treatment enhances the color and clarity of corundum stones. Most blue sapphires on the market are heat-treated to intensify their deep blue hue. While heat-treated stones lack natural inclusions, they remain highly sought after for their vibrant color and improved clarity. Buyers should be aware of treatment status, as it influences the stone's value and authenticity.

• Diffusion-treated blue corundum

  This process involves exposing corundum to chemicals and heat to improve its color. While diffusion treatment can produce stunning results at a lower cost than natural or standard heat-treated stones, it can affect the stone's durability. Often, diffusion-treated stones need to be identified because their value and color stability might be compromised by exposure to certain chemicals and excessive light.

• Star blue corundum

  Star sapphires are a variety of blue corundum that exhibits asterism, or star-like rays, across their surface. This happens due to the presence of rutile needles, which show up as a star when the stone is polished. Star sapphires are exciting in color and display optical phenomena. They are often sought after for both jewelry and collectors.

Designs of blue corundum mineral

The fabulous shades of blue corundum stones give it a lot of diverse uses and forms. Besides being naturally alluring, sapphires also cut and polished into many exciting forms. Some of these include:

• Round brilliant cut

  This timeless and popular cut balances sparkle and color, featuring multiple facets that enhance the stone's brilliance and depth. Jewelers often select this cut for engagement rings and other flashy fine jewelry. This is because the incredible color and sheen are likely to grab anyone's attention.

• Emerald cut

  The deep blue corundum stands out incredibly well under this angled step-cut design. This cut focuses on the stone's color and clarity by exposing large, elongated facets. It is popular in rings and other statement pieces, which display the stone's stunning deep blue hue without the distraction of too much sparkle.

• Oval cut

  This elongated shape adds uniqueness to blue corundum, maintaining a brilliant shimmer with numerous facets. Its versatility allows for use in rings, pendants, and earrings, showcasing the stone's stunning deep blue color in various styles, from contemporary to vintage designs.

• Pear cut

  The blue corundum takes on a teardrop shape, combining brilliance and color saturation. It is widely used in pendants and earrings and is favored for its ability to elongate the look of the wearer's features while showcasing the stunning deep blue hue.

• Cushion cut

  This vintage cut features rounded corners and larger facets, showing off the stone's deep color and excellent clarity. Cushion blue sapphires suit rings and pendants, appealing to those who fancy classic designs with great color and sparkle.

• Princess cut

  The princess cut highlights the sapphire's depth and brilliance, preserving the stone's vibrant color while adding flashy sparkle. This makes it one of the most popular cuts from engagement rings to earrings in both modern and classic settings.

• Rose cut

  With a low profile and triangular facets, the rose cut gives blue corundum a charming vintage look and decent brilliance. It is popular for pendants and rings in antique-style jewelry, emphasizing the deep blue color without too much sparkle.

How to Choose blue corundum mineral

• Jewelry setting

  One of the most important factors is the type of jewelry setting that the blue corundum enters. For instance, in rings, the stability of the setting is crucial because the stone can get knocked about during daily wear. Prong settings allow more light to enter and show the stone's sparkle, but they are a bit less protected than bezel or channel settings. Sapphires can be used in all sorts of rings from engagement rings to fashion pieces. It's also important to think about the metal used in the setting. White gold, platinum, and yellow gold contrast nicely with the deep blue color of blue corundum.

• Origin

  Blue corundum is found all over the world. It occasionally comes differently based on where it's sourced. For example, stones from Kashmir are highly sought after because they are rare and often feature a velvety deep blue hue. Myanmar sapphires are also prized for their clarity and color. If the stone is natural or has undergone treatment, one should know this too. While natural stones are usually more expensive, treated stones are easier on a buyer's pocket but still retain most of their beauty.

• Certification

  This mineral comes in many types, each with varied appearances and physical and chemical characteristics. These include shape, size, color, and clarity. A certified gemologist can help distinguish between natural, heat-treated, and synthetic stones. Look for sapphires with certificates from recognized gemological laboratories, such as the GIA or AGS, as they provide clear, detailed reports on the stone's quality and treatment history.

• Color quality

  The color of blue corundum can even range from pale to dark blue. A deep, vivid blue with good saturation without being too dark is usually most sought after. It should also be even in the color throughout the entire stone. Look out for any signs of zoning, which will show as banding or uneven color, as this can detract from the stone's beauty. Sapphire often features something called color pleochroism. This is the ability to show different colors as one rotates the stone. A strong color pleochroism effect is usually an indication of a high-quality stone.

• Clarity and inclusions

  Like all precious gemstones, blue corundum is valued for its clarity. Ideally, the stone should look flawless to the naked eye and under magnification for a true gem-quality sapphire. Look for any tiny inclusions, which can look like small specks or needles inside the stone. These are often visible under magnification but less so with the naked eye. Significant inclusions can lower the stone's value and affect how it sparkles in the light.

• Cut and craftsmanship

  Cutting blue corundum requires great skill because of its hardness. If the cut is done poorly, it will affect the stone's sparkle and appearance. An excellent cut, where the gem is proportioned and symmetrical, shows the stone's color evenly across the entire piece. This mineral can easily be mistaken for a few other stones, like blue topaz and tanzanite. While these other stones have their own beauty, none of them can compare to the splendor blue corundum brings.

Benefits of blue corundum mineral

• Spiritual and emotional healing

  Blue corundum is often seen as an important stone for tranquility and inner balance. It promotes peace and calm, helping relieve tension and stress and leading to clearer mental states. Many people who worry a lot or get anxious spend time holding or using this mineral during meditation to instill serenity and centeredness and avoid negative emotions. The gemstone is also believed to develop communication skills. This enables people to speak their minds clearly, thus reducing misunderstandings.

• Enhances communication

  Blue corundum stimulates the throat chakra, which promotes effective communication. It helps express thoughts and feelings clearly, reducing misunderstandings and fostering open dialogue. This makes it especially useful for those in public speaking, teaching, or counseling professions, as it boosts confidence and enhances verbal skills.

• Support for eye disorders

  Commonly believed to bring therapeutic light to corundum, blue corundum has been associated with eye health. The stone is thought to improve vision, reduce eye strain, and help with disorders like cataracts. Additionally, its calming energy may relieve tension in the eyes, providing a soothing effect for those who spend long hours in front of screens.

• Grounding and stability

  Blue corundum is a great grounding stone, helping to center and stabilize one's energy during turbulent times. It anchors the user in reality, promoting a sense of security and safety. This can be particularly beneficial for those experiencing emotional upheavals or major life changes. Its calming presence helps to soothe anxiety and stress, providing clarity and helping one feel more centered and focused.

• Boosts Self-Confidence

  Blue corundum fosters self-acceptance and self-assurance. Its energy encourages individuals to embrace their true selves, promoting authenticity. Many use it to help overcome self-doubt and boost self-esteem, making it easier to pursue goals and aspirations. This confidence allows individuals to present themselves genuinely, enhancing personal and professional relationships.

• Enhances Intuition

  Blue corundum sharpens one's intuitive abilities, helping to connect with inner wisdom and guidance. It supports psychic development and spiritual awareness, allowing more profound insights and understanding. This is especially beneficial for those on a spiritual path or in intuitive fields like counseling or healing. Its energy aids in tapping into one's instincts, promoting effective decision-making based on inner knowing.

Q&A

Q1: How does blue corundum compare to other blue gemstones, like turquoise or aquamarine?

A1: Blue corundum, especially in its sapphire form, is much harder than other blue stones like turquoise or aquamarine. It rates 9 on the Mohs scale of hardness, while aquamarine scores 7 and turquoise only gets 5. This toughness makes blue corundum better for uses in rings and bracelets that can get daily wear and tear. The sapphire also looks a lot more vivid and deep in blue color than the lighter shades of aquamarine and turquoise.

Q2: Can blue corundum be synthetically made, and if so, what are the differences?

A2: Yes, blue corundum can be made in labs using processes like crystal pulling or flame fusion. This synthetic blue corundum has the same chemical makeup as natural blue corundum. So, it acts almost identically to the real thing for most uses. But it usually costs less because it didn't form over ages in nature. Some trained eyes can tell the difference by spotting tiny bubbles or flaws inside the stone that hint at being made by humans rather than by nature's slow work.

Q3: How should one clean and take good care of blue corundum jewelry to keep it shiny and scratch-free?

A3: Caring for blue corundum is easy since it resists scratches and damage well. But to keep it from getting dirtied or dulled, clean it gently with warm soapy water and a soft brush to wipe away any buildup. Steer clear of harsh chemicals that might harm the metal around the stone. It helps to store blue corundum pieces separately in their own spots so they don't get scratched by other items. Take the jewelry off before doing rough activities so the stone stays protected from any kind of accidental harm.

Q4: How does blue corundum score in terms of hardness and scratch resistance?

A4: Blue corundum rates a 9 on the Mohs scale, making it among the hardest gemstones out there. This high hardness means it withstands wear, scratches, and damage much better than softer stones like topaz or opal, which score between 5 and 8 on the scale. Because of its toughness, blue corundum makes an excellent choice for rings, bracelets, and other regularly worn jewelry that needs to stay beautiful and in good shape for a long time.

Q5: What kinds of treatments are commonly applied to enhance the quality of blue corundum?

A5: To improve clarity, blue corundum often gets heated in a lab or workshop, which intensifies its lovely shade of blue. This heating helps make the stone clearer without putting it through any harm. Most buyers won't even know this little bit of enhancement has happened. But sometimes, to bring out the stone's sparkle even more, tiny bits of gold are inserted to catch light, though this rarely occurs. Buyers should be aware that this treatment could lower the stone's value as it is enhanced artificially.