The Debbie Teal Sapphire & Diamond Necklace

This Sapphire:

South east of the misty Usambara Mountains of Tanzania, lie the Gerevi Hills through which the famous Umba River flows. For centuries, the Umba River has deposited a gem gravel on its bends and oxbow lakes.

This gem gravel has become world-renown for the quality and quantity of gems within it. This stunning Fancy Sapphire was found on one of those bends in the river. It began “life” however many millions of years ago in what is known as a “pegmatite” or vein of minerals in the mountain rock.

As hot magma from the center of the earth forced its way up through the cracks in the rock, it mixed with mineral-rich ground water and minerals in the surrounding rock. As the magma cooled, different mineral crystals began to form under pressure. This stone was among these. Many millions of years later, as the Umba river eroded away the rock in its charge towards the Indian Ocean, it was dislodged from the rock in which it had formed and carried with the river. During this time it was tumbled ferociously and rubbed and smashed against other rocks until its surfaces were smooth and most of the cracks and blemished in the crystals were broken off and worn down.

The crystal was, at some point, deposited in the silts on one of the bends of the river near the Gerevi Hills. Here, it was panned out of the river by miners panning for gems.

Caring for Sapphire

Sapphires are 9 on the Mohs Scale, and are typically very durable.

For cleaning, it is best to use warm soapy water and a soft cloth. As with most gemstones, avoid ultrasonic cleaners and steamers, especially with fracture-filled star sapphire; vibrations and heat can damage stones.

Always remove gemstone jewellery or gemstones before exercising, cleaning or engaging in harsh physical activities. Do not expose star sapphire gemstones to acid and store them away from other gemstones to avoid scratches.