Sapphires produced in Kashmir, Myanmar and Sri Lanka. These areas are famous for their premier sapphire production. They are Kashmir in northern India, Myanmar (formerly known as Buma) east of the border, and Sri Lanka, an island adjacent to both. (formerly known as Ceylon).
Sapphires were first discovered in Kashmir in the 19th century, while Myanmar has a history of producing sapphires for more than 1,000 years. The sapphires produced in both places are rare and magnificent in color. However, compared to the two, Sri Lanka may have the longest history of sapphire production. Sri Lanka was once known as "Ratna-Dweepa" in Sanskrit, which means "Gem Island". According to records, traces of sapphires were discovered in the 2nd century AD, and its trading history can be traced back to the 4th century.
Kashmir sapphires are legendary due to their unique color, texture and extreme rarity. As early as the 1880s, a landslide occurred in a remote valley in the Kashmir region of India. Sapphire deposits in Kashmir were first discovered and mined. The sapphires here were more brilliant than any known gemstone, so the Maharaja of Kashmir bought the mine and began digging. The active period of the deposit was only from 1882 to 1887, which lasted for five years. Later, the sapphire resources in the mine were gradually exhausted.
Later, local personnel developed a new mine and mined gemstones on a regular basis, but the results were not as good as before. It can be seen that most of the Kashmir sapphires on the market today come from the mining of just five years, and the number is scarce, making Kashmir sapphires an extremely rare and rare collection in the world.
The rarity of Kashmir sapphires is only part of the beauty. There is something else unique about this gemstone that makes it outstanding and world-famous – and that is its indescribably brilliant colour. Sapphire blue is like cornflower, its color is not damaged by any light, and its mellow and silky texture is comparable to velvet.
Kashmir sapphires are legendary due to their unique color, texture and extreme rarity. As early as the 1880s, a landslide occurred in a remote valley in the Kashmir region of India. Sapphire deposits in Kashmir were first discovered and mined. The sapphires here were more brilliant than any known gemstone, so the Maharaja of Kashmir bought the mine and began digging. The active period of the deposit was only from 1882 to 1887, which lasted for five years. Later, the sapphire resources in the mine were gradually exhausted.
Finally, Sri Lanka, known as Ceylon before 1972, has the oldest sapphire deposits in the world. According to historical records, Ceylon was already famous for its sapphires in the 2nd century AD. By the 4th and 5th centuries, Ceylon's gemstone trade was booming internationally. Its sapphires come in a variety of colors and are of outstanding weight, and even Princess Diana’s engagement ring was set with Ceylon sapphires.
Compared with sapphires from other origins, what are the advantages of sapphires from Kashmir, Myanmar and Sri Lanka? They have the most intense blue color with excellent saturation. Simply put, they are the finest sapphires on earth.
Source: Sotheby’s website
