The following collection are stones from 10 years of work in Kashmir. This library of stones are available for sale to help laboratories or gemology students build a database of Kashmir sapphire inclusions. This assortment includes all the documented inclusions in rough faceted with windows or commercial and gem color faceted stones.
Link to stones or click on photographs:
Classic Kashmir Diagnostic Inclusion Photographs Contemporary Kashmir Sapphire Inclusion Photographs
Rough Kashmir sapphire is recognized by its mode of occurrence.  Most crystals have a white clay on their surface. The crystals found on the debris field below or crystals broken from the vein may lack clay.  This kaolin (clay) is distinctive in seperating Kashmir from all other localities such as Burma or Ceylon.  Our heat treated samples show a change in clay texture and or color which easily identifies the treatment. I mention this because I'm beginning to see heated Kashmir rough sold as "natural; no heat."

A large quantity of crystals have corroded surfaces leaving unven section of blue color. You can see the corrosion in the pyramid below Figure 1. I've seen crystals over 1000cts in size that will cut small gem size stones because of the pitting. Figure 5 below is an unusual sample without corrosion. It is just over 330 carats. A friend our ours documented a crystal more than 1250 carats cut into a handful of "Top Gems." One 10ct was sold to Cartier company and others ranging from 1-15cts found homes among eager collectors.

Original accounts suggest the stones found during the late 19th century had a higher percentage of more evenly colored, less corroded, larger stones. Some people suggest and old stream may have washed through the deposit removing the smaller broken fragments. I've seen the geology and don't think this possible based on the cliff faces. One thing is for certain, the "top gem" larger stones are more available than "top gems" under 3cts.

The material dug in the past 30 years is indistinguishable from the older material. However, the vast majority of contemporary material is lacking in color and may cut few smaller "gem" size stones. I see about one top quality "gem" larger than 5cts come about once a year. I personally believe they are digging in the wrong place.

I micro-photographed some of the "Classic" and more "Contemporary" inclusions. You can view the photographs at the following links: : Diagnostic Inclusions in Kashmir Sapphire (Photographs) Contemporary or Classic
     
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(Figure 2)
  
(Figure 3)
(Figure 4)
(Figure 5)

Figure 2 above shows the range of color found in the series of deposits. The purplish pink stone is extremely rare. Few pink or purplish pink stones are found. I think they are coming from the back-slope diggings. The reddish orange stone was an exciting find until I examined the pieces more closely. This stone is near colorless sapphire with iron-oxide staining.

Figure 3 is a collection of other minerals found on the mountain. Black tourmaline and red garnet are found co-existing with the sapphire in feldspar. Having examined thousands of cut stones and rough Kashmir, I've seen plenty of black tourmaline inclusions but never a red garnet, however, it must be possible considering they co-exist in-situ. Kyanite and aquamarine are found nearby. I have a 16" doubly terminated 99% transparent crystal of aquamarine. Rubellite is mentioned in original accounts, but I've never found any.

Figure 4 shows pink and green tourmaline. These stones are found in the Zanskar range. My team and I have spent 10 years scouting the Zanskar mountain via motorcycle or back-pack. We plotted two different aquamarine deposits, one tourmaline deposit, evidence of ruby, plenty of kyanite, garnet, loads of quartz and other inexpensive material..

The past six months in Kashmir have been extremely difficult. We felt the repercussions from a land dispute between Hindu and Muslims, followed by the Mumbai terrorist attacks, and finally the state elections. The valley of Kashmir was under military curfew or shut down from strikes called by seperatist groups. Our team was able to run conduct two medical trips to the sapphire deposit and scout the entire Zanskar range by motorcycles one time. See link to our "Charitable Medical Trips."

It is January 1, 2009 and the new government has been elected. The National Conference party has won and Omar Abullah, the son of the former Chief Minister Farooq Abudullah is taking power.

We hope the new government will take advantage of the states proven mineral wealth and begin to develop this industry.

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