AWESOME Lot of Vivid Cornflower Blue to Velvety Kashmir Blue Sapphire Facet & Cab Rough from a fairly new find in Afghanistan. It just doesn't get any better than this for color folks! This is some of the most awesome colored material we have seen in Sapphire Rough in a very long time. Most of the material has that Velvety Haze that is reminiscent of old Kashmir material! The bulk of this material is very slightly to moderately included; however, this lot is running roughly 15%+ or so medium to top facet grade. It is important to note that much of this material looks like "Gouda" and we're confident the clarity on this lot can be considerably enhanced with proper heat treatment. This is a bargain not to be missed as it is almost impossible to get a hold of this colored material and it is only produced in very limited quantity out here.

1. Kashmir has long been the benchmark in Sapphire perfection; however, production has dwindled to a standstill over the last few decades. There are rumors that mining has been restarted though we really haven't seen any worthwhile material entering the market at a decent price. In addition to Kashmir there are several other locations within Pakistan and Afghanistan that have begun to produce Sapphire and Ruby over the last few years. There is great potential in the Sapphire and Ruby rough that comes from here as it is in its natural state not having been treated. Most sellers out here are looking for sources to treat their material but none seem to have had any luck so far.