Golden sapphire (or Gold sheen sapphire) has been known in the trade as 'black star sapphire' for over 50 years. Cutting blackstar with facets instead of domed cabochons reveals an amazing new dimension. Golden sapphire is found in Thailand, Brazil, Guinea, Sierre Leone, Burma, Sri Lanka, Laos, Tanzania, Mozambique, Australia. (1) (5) The quality varies in each deposit, however material from Thailand/Cambodia, Brazil, Burma, Sri Lanka and Tanzania is more golden.
Above: samples courtesy of Loz Charles
No fake stories from us!
There is no evidence of any golden sapphire in Kenya despite printed claims (*see bottom). New Goldsheen Sapphire raw stone is being mined all the time and is available in very large quantities. The sources are not depleted and the price has remained constant.
Black star sapphire is exactly the same stone as golden sapphire but cut into facets. Because the stone is opaque, the golden shine is not visible until the surface is flat or nearly flat. The dome shape is darker because more of the cross section material is visible. The golden material is in layers so the worker must cut along with the layers. We know this because we have done it!
There is no evidence of any golden sapphire in Kenya despite printed claims (*see bottom). New Goldsheen Sapphire raw stone is being mined all the time and is available in very large quantities. The sources are not depleted and the price has remained constant.
Black star sapphire is exactly the same stone as golden sapphire but cut into facets. Because the stone is opaque, the golden shine is not visible until the surface is flat or nearly flat. The dome shape is darker because more of the cross section material is visible. The golden material is in layers so the worker must cut along with the layers. We know this because we have done it!
This gemstone changes when moved in the light. This effect is subtle, although in
some pieces the colours can vary from blue to green, silver or gold. Within each
piece are unique inclusions that create this effect. Hemetite and ilmenite provide
the main golden effect with magnetite grain lines. If titanium is present, then there
will be a blue element.
some pieces the colours can vary from blue to green, silver or gold. Within each
piece are unique inclusions that create this effect. Hemetite and ilmenite provide
the main golden effect with magnetite grain lines. If titanium is present, then there
will be a blue element.
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BEAUTIFUL VEIN LINES
Many of these sapphires have natural lines that give it almost a 'woodgrain' look when combined with the golden brown colour. In golden sapphire these lines are very fine. The fine lines are normally beneath the surface and do not affect the durability. Golden sapphire has a hardness of Moh's 9, second only to diamond. |
What is the difference between Golden sapphire, Goldsheen, blackstar sapphire, and Zawadi?
They are all the same stone. Goldsheen and Zawadi are brand names. Sapphires are named by colour, for example blue, yellow... The correct name for this material is therefore GOLDEN SAPPHIRE. There is some debate about whether a brand name should be applied to a raw material. We also have a large stock of brand Gold sheen.
They are all the same stone. Goldsheen and Zawadi are brand names. Sapphires are named by colour, for example blue, yellow... The correct name for this material is therefore GOLDEN SAPPHIRE. There is some debate about whether a brand name should be applied to a raw material. We also have a large stock of brand Gold sheen.
BEWARE of low quality! Some sellers are trading low quality brown sapphire and calling it 'Golden.' The most common trap in the jewelry business is actually not fake stones, but selling low quality for a higher price than it should be.
Do not be fooled. It's pretty easy to tell. The products have only a very weak golden shine and a very dark colour, especially from INDIA. Do not confuse this with black star, which is showing mostly cross section. The source of low quality is mainly India with the rough stone mostly from Madagascar. Some of the photos online may also altered.
Do not be fooled. It's pretty easy to tell. The products have only a very weak golden shine and a very dark colour, especially from INDIA. Do not confuse this with black star, which is showing mostly cross section. The source of low quality is mainly India with the rough stone mostly from Madagascar. Some of the photos online may also altered.
High quality Golden sapphire material will really shine, however
do remember that it also depends on the angle of the light. This
product requires the same attention as rubies or blue sapphires.
There is low quality material on the market - and high quality.
You decide what you want.
We manufacture high quality golden and blue/gold sapphire. For a quotation, email goldsheengems@gmail.com.
We have the knowledge of how to cut this stone with attention to detail, fine cut and beauty.
From the rough stone we have discovered about four variations:
TYPES OF GOLDEN SAPPHIRE
1. Golden Sapphire - regular
The majority of gem quality material that comes from the rough stone has a golden brown appearance with fine lines. We have a large stock of special pieces and calibrated sets.
TYPES OF GOLDEN SAPPHIRE
1. Golden Sapphire - regular
The majority of gem quality material that comes from the rough stone has a golden brown appearance with fine lines. We have a large stock of special pieces and calibrated sets.
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2. Blue and gold
Some golden sapphire has blue, green or yellow elements. Often these parts are translucent too. The look can be quite different to the regular golden. This new material was brought to Thailand from Africa in January 2017. It comes from a different source country. When held up to the light the translucent colours are breath taking. Opaque and translucent natural star sapphire is generally found in mines that dig for clear sapphires. |
No evidence of golden sapphire in Kenya:
GIA Tokyo [2] and Gems and Jewellery [3] admitted in 2018 that the location is not known. GIA [4] and JoG [5] mention that there is no evidence of gemstone deposits in the flat border region near Somalia.
Previously, Gem-A (The Gemmological Association of Great Britain) printed various claims in 2015 without supporting evidence. This article has since been used as an academic reference for many other articles, quoting and adding to the claims. But it's printed in reputable journals! Only claims and guesses are printed. Always check the way it is written.
A new variety? Black star and gold sheen have the same colour, chemical properties, surface features and also translucent material. Comparative raman spectroscopy [6] [5] shows clearly that both black star and gold sheen are high in iron and titanium oxide, which accounts for the brown/black color. They have inclusions of ilmenite/hematite (gold color) and magnetite (black). Both exhibit asterism (star effect), hexagonal growth, vein lines, a lack of UV fluorescence, healed fractures and polysynthetic twinning (parallel lines).
Traders with commercial interests will often create an exciting 'story' so that people will buy only from them. We are honest dealers and do not make up stories. There is a lot of bullshit in this industry and we do not subscribe :))
Designers using Golden sheen Sapphire:
GIA Tokyo [2] and Gems and Jewellery [3] admitted in 2018 that the location is not known. GIA [4] and JoG [5] mention that there is no evidence of gemstone deposits in the flat border region near Somalia.
Previously, Gem-A (The Gemmological Association of Great Britain) printed various claims in 2015 without supporting evidence. This article has since been used as an academic reference for many other articles, quoting and adding to the claims. But it's printed in reputable journals! Only claims and guesses are printed. Always check the way it is written.
A new variety? Black star and gold sheen have the same colour, chemical properties, surface features and also translucent material. Comparative raman spectroscopy [6] [5] shows clearly that both black star and gold sheen are high in iron and titanium oxide, which accounts for the brown/black color. They have inclusions of ilmenite/hematite (gold color) and magnetite (black). Both exhibit asterism (star effect), hexagonal growth, vein lines, a lack of UV fluorescence, healed fractures and polysynthetic twinning (parallel lines).
Traders with commercial interests will often create an exciting 'story' so that people will buy only from them. We are honest dealers and do not make up stories. There is a lot of bullshit in this industry and we do not subscribe :))
Designers using Golden sheen Sapphire:
1. https://www.starruby.in/store/info/black-star-sapphires
2. GIA: Gems & Gemology, Spring 2018, Vol. 54, No. 2
3. Gems and Jewellery: Winter 2018, ‘Shimmering Sapphires’ P36-39.
4. Katsurada, Y; Miura M.; Saruwatari, K. "Update on trace-element chemical characteristics of golden sheen sapphire." Spring 2018, Vol. 54, No. 2
5. Journal of Gemmology. 34 (8): 678–691. Bui T.N., T.N.; Deliousi, K.; Malik T.K., T.K.; De Corte, K. (2015).
6. Black star 12 rays analysis: Journal of Gemmology. volume 35 no.5 https://gem-a.com/component/k2/volume/volume-35-no-5-2017-2-2 Pages 430-435.
2. GIA: Gems & Gemology, Spring 2018, Vol. 54, No. 2
3. Gems and Jewellery: Winter 2018, ‘Shimmering Sapphires’ P36-39.
4. Katsurada, Y; Miura M.; Saruwatari, K. "Update on trace-element chemical characteristics of golden sheen sapphire." Spring 2018, Vol. 54, No. 2
5. Journal of Gemmology. 34 (8): 678–691. Bui T.N., T.N.; Deliousi, K.; Malik T.K., T.K.; De Corte, K. (2015).
6. Black star 12 rays analysis: Journal of Gemmology. volume 35 no.5 https://gem-a.com/component/k2/volume/volume-35-no-5-2017-2-2 Pages 430-435.