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One Rare, Antique Genuine Natural Faceted Half Carat (Plus) Oval Cut Pastel Rose/Lemon-Lime Color Change Sapphire Precious Gemstone.

CLASSIFICATION: Faceted Color Change Sapphire Oval.

ORIGIN: The Ural Mountains, Russia. 19th Century.

SIZE: Length: 5mm. Width: 4mm. Depth (Thickness): 4mm. All measurements approximate.

WEIGHT: Approximately 0.54 carats.

NOTES: Upon request we can set your gemstones as a ring, pendant, or as earrings.

DETAIL: A gorgeous, delicately colored natural bright pastel rose tinted sapphire precious gemstone from the Ural Mountains of Russia. The color is absolutely incredible, a gorgeously light pale rose, the perfect color perhaps for chiffon. The color is exceptionally fine, with very light violet undertones. The color is a bit reminiscent of pink amethyst, except the color is much more delicate, and with far greater lustre and sparkle than any amethyst. This very delicate hue imparts very uncommon character and great visual appeal. The pale shade of rose could perhaps be best likened those occasional petunias and pansies which are a pastel-hued cross between pink and lavender. The gemstone looks ever so much like a sparkling, pastel rose-hued diamond.

However the coloring, which is natural, alternates between the pastel rose-pink hue, and believe it or not, a pale lemon-lime. Depending on the angle of the light source, and the type of light source (natural or artificial), the gemstone will either be a pastel rose pink, or a pastel lemon-lime. And if you hold the gemstone at just the proper angle, it will show both colors with a clear demarcation between the two. The effect is absolutely transfixing. The pale chiffon lemon-lime brings to mind the light hues of a lime, an extra pale to medium pale pastel citrus green. On top of that, if you hold the gemstone at just the right angle, the lime green will be outlined in bright blue. And from a very flat angle, the lime green turns into a rather citrus-like yellow, again, clearly outlined in blue. It is quite a kaleidoscope of colors.

This gemstone has been hand crafted into a sparkling faceted oval. Good quality color-change sapphires are in high demand, and can be quite costly. Unfortunately most seemingly flawless, transparent "sapphires" sold even by the largest and most reputable retailers in the United States are synthetic (read the fine print; and the same is true of emeralds and rubies). This I especially true of "color-change" sapphires. However the Southern Ural Mountains of Russia have been producing good quality, natural sapphires for centuries. The trained eye will easily discern from the photo that the gemstone has been hand-faceted. The coarseness of the 19th century faceting is considered appealing to most gemstone collectors, and is not considered a detriment. Unlike today's computer controlled machine processes, the cut and finish of gemstones such as these is the legacy of an artisan who lived two centuries ago. Such antique hand-faceted gemstones possess much greater character and appeal than today's mass-produced machine-faceted gemstones.

This gemstone has great luster and sparkle, and to the eye is essentially transparent, but it is not entirely flawless. True, the blemishes it possesses are virtually invisible to the naked eye, and the gemstone can be characterized, to use trade jargon, as "eye clean". However magnified 500%, as it is here, you can see slight imperfections (included material) within the gemstone and occasional irregularities in the finish. But these characteristics are not only expected of hand-finished gemstones, you must also consider that two centuries ago the mining techniques even theoretically possible, let alone commonly practiced, did not allow the ultra deep mining operations which are so commonplace today. Two centuries ago mankind was more or less limited to surface deposits or near surface deposits of gemstones. Higher quality gemstones which today are routinely mined from beneath hundreds of meters, even kilometers beneath the earth's surface, were simply inaccessible then. So antique gemstones must be appreciated as antiques first, gemstones second. The relatively superlative quality of contemporary gemstones routinely mined from deep beneath the earth's surface today were simply not accessible two centuries ago, or at least, only rarely so. However for most, the unique nature and character of antique gemstones such as this more than makes up for included imperfections which by and large, are only visible under high magnification.

HISTORY: Sapphires have been since ancient times one of the most highly valued of all gemstones, and references to the gemstone date back to about 800 B.C. The name "sapphire" comes from the Latin "sapphirus" and the Greek "sappheiros", which translates to "blue" in both languages. The name sapphire is also a derivative of the ancient Hebrew and Persian word for "blue" as well. To the ancient Romans however, the word "sapphirus" actually referred to lapis lazuli, another blue gemstone. What the Romans called blue sapphire translates to "hyacinth"; the green sapphire was "emerald", and the purple sapphire was "amethyst". In the ancient Mediterranean world, priests and sorcerers honored the sapphire above all other gems. They believed that the sapphire enabled them to interpret oracles and foretell the future.

The ancient Persians believed that the earth rested on an enormous sapphire, and the sky reflected its beautiful color. They referred to the sapphire as "the gem of the heavens". As the centuries passed, European royalty came to favor sapphire believing the stone would provide protection from harm. Throughout Medieval Europe, the sapphire was thought to give the wearer strengthened vision, including visions of the future. Sapphire was regarded as an antidote to black magic and effects of evil spirits. It was held to be a symbol of truth and constancy. Sapphires are a member of the corundum family, and close relative to the ruby. In fact, a ruby is simply a red sapphire. The sapphire is considered one of the most valuable of precious stones. The principal sources of sapphire in modern history are Russia, Siam, Ceylon, Burma, Africa, and Australia.

SHIPPING OPTIONS: All purchases are backed by an unlimited guarantee of satisfaction and authenticity. If for any reason you are not entirely satisfied with your purchase, you may return it for a complete and immediate refund of your entire purchase price. Most of these antique gemstones were originally part of two collections, one originating in India principally composed of gemstones originally mined in India, Burma, Ceylon, and Siam, and then hand faceted in India. The addition of a second accumulation of antique gemstones originally mined in the Urals in the mid to late 19th century (including alexandrite) completed the collection. These gemstones as well were hand finished. The Urals have been one of the world's major sources of precious and semi-precious gemstones for many centuries. As well, additional specimens are occasionally acquired from other institutions and dealers in Eastern Europe and Asia. These antique gemstones are now in the United States and are available for immediate delivery.

We ship inventory from the USA order fulfillment center near Seattle, Washington. Your purchase will ordinarily be shipping within 48 hours of payment. A certificate of authenticity is available upon request. We prefer your personal check or money order over any other form of payment - and we will ship immediately upon receipt of your check (no "holds"). We will accept PayPal payments. Please see our "ADDITIONAL TERMS OF SALE".