Joined: Thu May 03, 2007 1:19 am Posts: 370 Location: Pakistan
I have recently purchased an unheated blue that looks like Kashmir to the testing gemologist. I am not excited because don't see the velvet or a peacock stretching out its neck in there , anyhow shall be visiting GRS in Bangkok early next year. The seller said Ceylon and was offended at hearing it may not be , other origins had no value in his opinion.
It has a large colored area placed at it culet , rest of the body is nearly colorless , face up color evens out. Has damaged surface by way of scratches otherwise clean to eye baring a few small finger print beneath the table which stand out at certain angles. Cut worse than what goes today in these parts yet bright and shiny.
Joined: Sun Oct 16, 2005 12:22 pm Posts: 21602 Location: San Francisco
Indeed, inclusions referred to as "comet tails" have been found in sapphires originating from Kashmir. BUT, this is not the only source for a similar inclusion scene.
Vincent Pardieu in G&G Spring, 2014 wrote:
Comet-type inclusion in a milky blue sapphire from Ampasimamitaka. The whitish tail and milky area around it were found to have a significant beryllium content. Photo courtesy of Vincent Pardieu.
This is only one example in this specimen from Madagascar, I'm sure it is not unique.
Joined: Thu May 03, 2007 1:19 am Posts: 370 Location: Pakistan
Barbra Voltaire wrote:
Truth be told, what difference would it make? You would be using the descriptive modifier "Kashmir" in reference to a gem which is commercial at best.
agreed ; since it has to go to a lab to est its unheated status why not get origin report as well , purpose is not to get an edge where it is not but to know for sure.
Joined: Thu May 03, 2007 1:19 am Posts: 370 Location: Pakistan
While on the topic of origin , this purple from Batakundi - Pakistan was recently given the Kashmir title. Perhaps the mine needs to go extinct before it begins to catch the fancy of the crowd.
Joined: Sun Oct 16, 2005 12:22 pm Posts: 21602 Location: San Francisco
Agreed Stephen. Buzz words like Kashmir, Paraiba, Burma, etc. used to make pedestrian stones appear more desirable to the less sophisticated buyer are a little too "used car lot" for my taste.
The dull blue, heavily included, sapphire originally posted on this thread by mrb is an ugly duckling regardless of the location of the pond it was found in.
Joined: Wed Nov 01, 2006 5:00 pm Posts: 391 Location: Dolan Springs, Arizona
It may be an abused duckling, but I not sure ugly. I think a good recutting would do wonders for it Provided care was taken not to remove the color band on the pavilion
Joined: Sun Oct 16, 2005 12:22 pm Posts: 21602 Location: San Francisco
TOM KIDWELL wrote:
It may be an abused duckling, but I not sure ugly. I think a good recutting would do wonders for it Provided care was taken not to remove the color band on the pavilion
Agreed again. But mrb is not submitting them to a lapidary to make them more desirable, he is submitting them to a lab.
Joined: Thu Aug 20, 2009 10:36 am Posts: 118 Location: New York
Hello all,
I think that this is interesting to see a recent AIGS report associating the Batakundi source with a 'kashmir' reference. If I am recalling correctly, although the Batakundi is close to the Azad Kashmir region of Pakistan, it is actually outside of the Pakistani Azad Kashmir border....
Originally, although there were several labs that issued reports linking this deposit with 'Kashmir' (not AGL however, we only ever have indicated Pakistan as the provenance), for the past few years this was no longer continued.....
Joined: Thu May 03, 2007 1:19 am Posts: 370 Location: Pakistan
Christopher P. Smith wrote:
Hello all,
I think that this is interesting to see a recent AIGS report associating the Batakundi source with a 'kashmir' reference. If I am recalling correctly, although the Batakundi is close to the Azad Kashmir region of Pakistan, it is actually outside of the Pakistani Azad Kashmir border....
Originally, although there were several labs that issued reports linking this deposit with 'Kashmir' (not AGL however, we only ever have indicated Pakistan as the provenance), for the past few years this was no longer continued.....
Best regards, Christopher P. Smith
That is right sir , Batakundi falls within Pakistani side of the border between Pakistan and Azad Kashmir ( Pakistani controlled Kashmir). Word in Bangkok was that Labs are once again giving kashmir origin to the said mine after dropping it. They must have their reasons .
BTW , There is NO advantage for the purple despite the kashmir claim , demand is for the pure blue from here which is extremely rare.
BV & Tom , Yes the blue will improve after the recut which is on the cards as soon as my favourit cutter give me a green light.
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