Green Sapphires Wholesale Sapphires Sapphires

A Journey Into Australian Green Sapphires

Australian green sapphires, known for their natural allure and sustainable origins, have become highly desirable in this evolving market, particularly in Australia and the US. Their ethical provenance, ensured by Australia’s stringent mining regulations, adds value by minimizing environmental impact and supporting local communities.

AUSTRALIAN GREEN SAPPHIRES PARTI AND TEAL SAPPHIRES Teal Sapphires Parti Sapphires
  AUSTRALIAN GREEN SAPPHIRES VS PARTI AND TEAL SAPPHIRES

When exploring Australian sapphires, it’s essential to distinguish between green sapphires, Australian teal sapphires, and parti sapphires, as each has distinct characteristics. Green sapphires range from soft pastels to deep, vivid shades, evoking images of emerald forests and tranquil meadows with a serene and sophisticated aesthetic.

Australian teal sapphires blend blue and green tones, reminiscent of the ocean’s depths, capturing the essence of nature’s splendor with their evocative hues. Parti sapphires feature multiple colors within a single gemstone, often displaying bands or patches of different hues, creating a mesmerizing tapestry of color and making each stone unique.

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                                                           Green Sapphires Color Chart

AUSTRALIAN GREEN SAPPHIRES VS THAI & TANZANIAN GREEN SAPPHIRES

Traditionally, green sapphires have been associated with Thailand and Songea, Tanzania. However, both these sources face distinct challenges that Australian green sapphires have effectively addressed, offering a compelling alternative for gemstone enthusiasts.

Australia and Thailand have had a long standing relation over the sapphire trade.
Australia and Thailand have had a long standing relation over the sapphire trade.

Thai green sapphires are known for their skilled craftsmanship, where cutters masterfully enhance the color of sapphires through heat treatments. One prevalent method involves using beryllium (Be), a highly toxic and carcinogenic chemical, to turn rough stones into more commercially viable green sapphires. This practice raises significant health and environmental concerns. Additionally, Thai cutters often rejected bicolored rough, focusing solely on creating uniformly green sapphires. While Thai sapphires are available in larger sizes, their supply is limited, and the reliance on harmful treatments diminishes their appeal.

In contrast, Australian green sapphires offer a natural and ethical alternative. These sapphires maintain their original color without the need for artificial enhancement. Australia’s unique geological conditions produce sapphires with a very attractive mid-range green color that stands out in the market. Moreover, the abundance of Australian sapphires ensures a steady supply, catering to the growing demand for ethically sourced gemstones.

Australian green sapphires solve the issues associated with Thai and Tanzanian counterparts by offering both good quantity and quality. While Songea’s sapphires are limited to smaller sizes (below one carat), Australian sapphires are available in a range of sizes without compromising on color or ethical standards. The natural beauty of Australian sapphires, combined with responsible mining practices, makes them a preferred choice for conscientious buyers.

Mining History, geography and production of Australian Green Sapphires

The story of Australian sapphires began with a serendipitous discovery by gold miners in Queensland in 1851. This discovery led to artisanal sapphire mining in 1919, and the region quickly became known for producing some of the most remarkable sapphires, such as the Black Star of Queensland and the world’s largest cut yellow sapphire.

Australia is renowned for its rich deposits of green sapphires, primarily sourced from the highlands of Central Queensland. This region, about 850 kilometers northwest of Brisbane, is home to the Capricorn Sapphire and Great Northern Mining operations, now under the ownership of FURA Gems since 2020. The mining licenses held by Great Northern Mining span a continuous block of 15 square kilometers and share a common boundary with Capricorn Sapphire’s 5-square-kilometer area. Located near the township of Emerald, which serves the coal and sapphire mining industry, these mines are well-connected to Brisbane through multiple daily flights.

Technological and Ethical Advances with Future Prospects

FURA employs state-of-the-art technology for planning, execution, and monitoring to ensure socially, economically, and environmentally responsible operations. These efforts have positioned their mines to contribute to nearly 80% of Australia’s sapphire production today.

With a minimum estimated mine life of 15 years and ongoing resource evaluations indicating additional reserves, the future of these mining operations looks promising. Along with the favourable policies of the Australian government, it bodes well for the future prospects of Australian green sapphires. 

Physical and Chemical Properties of Australian Green Sapphires

Crystal Structure and Composition:

Like all sapphires, Australian green sapphires belong to the corundum family and have a hexagonal (trigonal) crystal structure. They are primarily composed of aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃), with trace elements like iron and titanium influencing their color. In comparison, Australian teal sapphires contain both blue and green hues, resulting from varying levels of these trace elements. Parti sapphires, on the other hand, exhibit multiple colors within a single stone, including green, blue, and yellow, due to the presence of diverse trace elements in different zones of the crystal. This multi-colored characteristic is less common in green sapphires, which typically showcase a more uniform color.

Clarity and Transparency:

Australian green sapphires generally possess good clarity and transparency. They often exhibit fewer inclusions compared to sapphires from other regions, contributing to their exceptional brilliance and luster. The natural clarity of these sapphires is a significant factor in their appeal, as it enhances their visual depth and overall attractiveness. While inclusions are natural and expected in sapphires, the relatively high clarity of Australian green sapphires makes them stand out in the market, further elevating their desirability among collectors and jewelry enthusiasts.

Green Sapphires Origins
                                                       Green Sapphires Origins

The value of Australian green sapphires is significantly influenced by their size and carat weight. Larger sapphires are rarer and more valuable, with prices increasing exponentially with carat weight. While small green sapphires are relatively common, finding larger specimens with good color and clarity is rare, making them particularly valuable and sought after in the gemstone market.

Cut and Shape:

A well-cut Australian green sapphire maximizes the stone’s brilliance and color, enhancing its overall beauty. Skilled cutting can also minimize the visibility of inclusions and improve the stone’s symmetry and proportions. Popular shapes for green sapphires include oval, round, cushion, and emerald cuts, each chosen to showcase the stone’s natural beauty best. Poorly cut sapphires, regardless of their size or color, will be less valuable due to diminished brilliance and appeal.


Sustainability and Ethical Practices in Australian Sapphire Mining

Environmental Conservation Efforts

Australian sapphire mining companies focus on environmental conservation through land rehabilitation, ensuring mined areas are restored with native vegetation and stable terrain. Water management practices involve recycling water and controlling sediment to protect local water sources. Biodiversity protection is achieved by conducting environmental impact assessments and developing conservation plans for endangered species. Additionally, mining operations are increasingly adopting energy-efficient technologies and renewable energy to minimize their carbon footprints.

Picture Courtesy: CSIRO, We undertake risk assessments to lower environmental impacts of mining wastewater.

Community Engagement and Development

Mining companies engage with local communities by prioritizing local employment and offering training programs to enhance workforce skills. They invest in infrastructure development, such as roads, schools, and healthcare facilities, benefiting both mining operations and local residents. Respecting cultural heritage, companies consult with Indigenous communities to protect sacred sites. Furthermore, they support community programs that promote education, health, and social welfare, fostering positive relationships with local populations.

Australian green sapphires are a sustainable choice for meeting the rising demand for sapphires. Abundant supply and ethical mining practices ensure responsible sourcing. Navneet Gems fills this need with high-quality, ethically sourced Australian green sapphires. Their production capabilities guarantee a steady flow of these exquisite gems to the global market.

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