The Remarkable Abilities Of Gold Sheen Sapphires
As the saying goes, “All that glitters is not gold”. The same holds for comparisons between Brown Sapphires and Gold Sheen Sapphires or Golden Sheen Sapphires. Brown Sapphires can sometimes exhibit a gold sheen, but this is a rare occurrence as a result of crystal morphology and unique characteristics based on needles and platelets. Gold Sheen Sapphires themselves are a rare commodity in the gem world and one in which clarity of the stone is irrelevant, what matters is its opacity and color based on its mineral content.
Gold Sheen Sapphires while retaining properties of Sapphires in general, predominantly in terms of color such as blue, clear or fancy, are much more unique in terms of their geometrical patterns. These naturally occurring patterns such as parallel, partial or full hex give the stone its unique structure as well as visual appeal. The luster of gold sheen sapphires is also a huge factor in its overall attractiveness for jewelry makers. Common variations of color include brass, copper, and bronze while metallic green, blue and yellow are also exhibited in some cases.
What Is Gold Sheen Effect
The GIA testing lab in Bangkok was the first to verify the “gold sheen effect” of this stone and classified the color as being “brown, with a gold sheen effect” of a true sapphire. This immediately set it apart from brown sapphires with similar characteristics. It has inclusions of ilmenite and hematite and exhibits asterism and hexagonal growth. Gemological labs around the world categorize it as corundum and describe the gold sheen effect as being unique to gold sheen sapphires.
Gold Sheen Sapphires do not have any known heating or treatment methods and any treatment diminishes the gold sheen effect of the stone. Favored by high-end jewelry retailers and also specialty jewelry designers, Gold Sheen Sapphires have gained market prominence in the last 6-7 years. Some of the gold sheen sapphires have blue and yellow stripes giving them an artistic vision. The golden-brown shimmer of these unique stones makes them ideal for manufacturing jewelry pieces complementing the everyday ensemble.
Another unique rare occurrence that sets apart gold sheen sapphire is the “Aurora” effect as noted by its discoverer, Tanzim Khan. Mr. Tanzim Khan is the original authority of these stones, having discovered the mine in Kenya in 2010 from where the stone originates. The interplay of blue and green colors exhibited in some stones when passing through light creates a vision akin to the “Aurora Borealis”.
The richness of the hexagonal patterns and craze lines give it the most prominent sheen exhibited among any of the sapphire family stones. The inclusions on the stone have a story to narrate, so much so that light at different angles projects different characteristics of the gold sheen sapphire. Gold Sheen sapphires have this rare and unique combination of features, that make it a remarkable stone. It’s difficult to describe the beauty of this stone, one has to see it and experience its charm.
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