The optical phenomenon responsible for the star sapphire’s shimmering rays is called asterism, from the Latin word astrum, for “star.” Asterism is caused by small needle-like inclusions of the mineral rutile. Star sapphires occur in almost every color seen in transparent sapphires, although yellow, orange, and green star sapphires are very uncommon. The rays should be bright, sharp, and clearly defined–not blurry or fuzzy–and they should reach from the crown of the cabochon to the base without interruption.Ī Burmese blue cabochon star sapphire and diamond cocktail ring. Ideally, the star in a star sapphire should be perfectly centered when viewed from directly above, with each ray of equal length.

Star sapphires also hold a unique appeal to a set of old-Hollywood screen legends who coveted star sapphires set in every type of jewelry. There is something incredibly special about a gemstone that retains so much of its earthly characteristics.

For many, this type of stone is a truly rare and original stone to be the centerpiece of their unique love story. Raw, natural stones are also becoming more and more popular as standout stones for engagement rings. They have always been a lovely choice for natural-style jewelry, and as interest increases for pieces that reflect a connection to nature, star sapphires offer that perfect connection.

As the draw of this style keeps building, star sapphires in 2020 will continue gaining in popularity for all types of jewelry pieces. The return to nature-inspired design and jewelry pieces that are reminders of the earth they came from are strong trends that have been building over the last few years. Star Sapphires in 2020Ī lovely example of asterism effect in a star ruby and diamond engagement ring. A prominent feature of the “Golden Era” of Hollywood, star sapphires seem to be more reminiscent of the earth they came from and easy to be a fan of. Many of the largest sapphires ever discovered have been star sapphires, and they are often used to create large statement pieces of jewelry that are worn to show-stopping effect. Their special feature called asterism lends an added mystical element, and many throughout time have felt a special connection to these stones. Star sapphires have a long and fascinating history of being highly coveted and prized as very special and unique gemstones.

Star sapphire earrings