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THE  CORUNDUMINIUM
 
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RUBIES  AND  SAPPHIRES
     
     
     
     
     
     
   
     
 

KASHMIR

  
     
       The "Kashmir" is often regarded as the supreme sapphire against which all others are to be compared.  Because of their high values, just about anything cuttable that saw daylight was cut before mineral collectors knew they existed.  As a result, these crystals are very rare.  The first two are the finest I have seen, and would be in our collection if I could afford them.  
       These Kashmir sapphires are all on memo from Ed Cleveland, who frequents Kashmir and usually comes back with a few stones purchased from locals, many of whom opportunistically mined the original alluvial deposits many years ago.   We have many more (in the shelf range), and will continue to photograph and post them as we have time; and you may email me if you want more information.  
       To see more about Kashmir and the origin of these stones, go to his website, http://www.kashmirblue.com/index.html.  The stones offered below are from his exploits; and all proceeds from their sale go back to him for his charitable work in behalf of his Kashmiri friends.  We have some additional remarks and a few photos of stones in our collection on our own Kashmir informational page.   
     
     
  HUGE  KASHMIR  SAPPHIRE  
 
     This twinned crystal  (the one on the left in the photos of the pair) is, quite simply, by far the finest specimen of sapphire gem rough that I have seen from  Kashmir.  It weighs approximately 120 carats, and it contains a facetable zone that has been estimated to produce a clean, medium blue 6 to 7 carat stone.  Much of the rest should be heat treatable to produce numerous smaller stones.    However, we would prefer that this specimen remains as one of the finest crystals in existence from what is likely the World's most romantic sapphire locality.    For further information,  contact me at wheierman@corunduminium.com or Ed Cleveland at info@kashmirblue.com .   Serious inquiries only, please. 

 
     
     
  HUGE  KASHMIR  SAPPHIRE       
 
    This superb specimen from Kashmir weighs approximately 60 carats.  I have seen only one from there that I would say is finer, and it is the one directly above.   This one is also seen as the right member of the two images of the pair above.  Note that it has an interesting "silk" pattern that indicates it would be heat treatable and could produce several fine medium blue faceted stones.   However, it is rarer and probably more valuable as a  superb crystal from what is probably the World's most romantic sapphire locality!   The pictures are thumbnails, so clicking on them will reveal higher resolution images.   For further information, contact me at wheierman@corunduminium.com or Ed Cleveland at info@kashmirblue.com.    Serious inquiries only, please.   

 
     
 
KASHMIR  SAPPHIRE CRYSTAL CLUSTER

kb-B15
 
 
     This sapphire cluster is from the classic Kashmir locality, and was recently purchased from a local villager who may have found it many years ago.  It is a very fine example of the bipyramidal habit typical of the stones from here.  It is about 11/16" long, and I would guess its weight to be about 6 carats.  It also has traces of kaolin attached, a diagnostic feature of Kashmir sapphire rough. It has a silky, translucent to gemmy white interior, and may heat treat to produce a fine medium blue faceted stone or two: but I would keep this one as a specimen from a locality which may be almost mined out and whose political future is uncertain.  $40.00; domestic shipment by insured mail included in price.

 
     
 
KASHMIR  SAPPHIRE CRYSTAL CLUSTER

kb-B7
 
 
     This sapphire cluster is from the classic Kashmir locality, and was recently purchased from a local villager who may have found it many years ago.   It is mostly silky translucent, and may be heart treatable.  It weighs about ten or eleven carats, I think; and it is about 11/16" long in its longest dimension.   It is an interesting specimen, as most of this quality end up getting faceted or cabbed.  I would keep it as a specimen from a locality which may be almost mined out and whose political future is uncertain.  $65.00; domestic shipment by insured mail included in price.

 
     
 
UNUSUAL KASHMIR  SAPPHIRE CRYSTAL

kb-0764
 
 
     This unusual twinned crystal was recently purchased from a local villager.  A few fancy-colored sapphires have recently been found in Kashmir, not far from the classic locality in the Zanskar Range.  This 7.64 carat crystal, tending to purplish pink, is a true rarity.  It is not terminated (but Kashmir sapphires rarely are as I think they tend to be partially resorbed during their residence in the lode sources).   $55.00; domestic shipment by insured mail included in price.

 
     
     
     
 

VIET  NAM

  
     
      Ever since the earliest discoveries of rubies (which some attribute to the infamous "War"), Viet Nam has created excitement among both gem dealers and mineral collectors.  Recent discoveries have added sapphires, spinel, and numerous other minerals to the list.  The specimens immediately below are some of the most interesting, as they are spinel crystals or clusters with corundum inclusions.  Often, they come out of the ground quite brown because of included ironstain; but that can often be removed to produce the very attractive stones (or strange ones, depending on your point of view) you see here.   Below them are some other specimens from the nation which, mineralwise, may rival its neighbor Burma in productivity.  
     
 
VIET  NAM,  LUC  YEN  (YEN  BAI  PROVINCE):    Spinel with Corundum Inclusions weh
 
 
     
 
    There are a few Viet Namese rubies posted at the bottom of the Earth Treasures page.  More to folllow in late August, 2008.