This journey begins with great hutzpa, a firm grasp identifying Kashmir sapphire, and great faith in a loving God.
 
The Indian State of Kashmir is a beautiful yet dangerous place. In the fall of 2006 I visited the man I call the 'Prophet.' During my first visit to Kashmir in the year 2000, I lived with the "Prophet" and his family. I bought my first Kashmir sapphire from this family and helped them begin building a new home. (Please see Testimonies). That evening militants raided the adjacent hotel killing four people and taking their own lives (Battle of Khonna Khun-2006). These incidents are a random but regular occurence in Kashmir.
 

Every year since has been equally exciting. Unfortunately, I don't find as many stones to purchase. I may locate one 'Gem' quality stone every year. When a stone is found, it is usually faceted with antique style cutting. I see rough on occasion, but most rough is Burmese, Sri Lankan, or tumbled and quenched synthetic. I purchase quality rough from the official Jammu & Kashmir State auctions.

It's not the plentiful bounty of Kashmir stones that keeps me searching. Instead, it's the thrill of traveling in this beautiful country and leaving 'no stone unturned.' In this business, every dealer buys a lottery ticket hoping to have a winner some day. My last winner was an 8ct faceted gem. I quickly flew to NY city and sold the stone for substantial gain.

My local friends and I travel by motorcycle. We prefer the old Royal British Enfield. We climb the winding dirt roads searching the most remote villages in the Himalayas. When the road ends, we harness our backpacks and climb the rugged mountains. Once a stone is found, it may days several days or several visits to purchase. We spend time with the locals sharing medicines while bargaining to purchase the gem. Remaining overnight in many villages is extremely dangerous so we stay on the move.

 

The stone photographed in Figure 1 was cut last fall from old J&K auction rough. My experience has been most super gems are found in antique jewelry. The more recently mined material (past 30 years) has yield smaller 'gem' quality pieces although 99.9% has been commercial grade. A sample of old rough is seen in Figure 2 below.

Buying Kashmir sapphire in India is very risky. Let me explain. There is no laboratory in India to certify stone origin. All sellers will claim they have Kashmir sapphire and charge the Kashmir premium even if the stone is synthetic.

I pay the premium for genuine Kashmir sapphire because otherwise we could not purchase the stone. Non heated, and non artificially colored (diffused) sapphire of
Figure 1 click to enlarge
Figure 2 click to enlarge
Burmese or Kashmir origin demand a premium in the trade.

The country of India is saturated with artificially colored stones, glass or lead filled stones, wax or resin filled stones and otherwise manipulated stones that are valued at a fraction of their 'natural' counterparts. The problem is these stones are offered as Kashmir or "caveat emptor" and sold at prices five times or ten times their true value. Almost every stone comes with a good story about the Maharaja having previous ownership or it being handed down three generations.
Figure 3 click to enlarge
The Kashmir origin is relatively easy to determine with experience and a microscope. I worked for the Switzerland laboratory GRS and have a personally study collection of thousands of Kashmir sapphire. Having this experience, I can determine 80% or more of Kashmir stones with confidence. (See Figures 3 & 4 taken with my microscope). Almost every dealer in the world will require atleast one or two current laboratory certificates when buying a Kashmir sapphire. This is the major advantage we have buying in India.
Figure 4 click to enlarge
The 5.5ct stone in Figure 1 was recut from 6.2cts. Our cutter is the finest in the world. Few people understand the art of faceting. Most cutters use a method similar to cutting cookies. "Cookie cutters" follow a pattern, diagram or reference based on the refractive index of the material. The result may or may not be a more beautiful stone with a much higher weight lose. The world's gifted cutters will use the physical and optical properties after studying a stone to
Figure 5 click to enlarge
Figure 6 click to enlarge

maximize the potential beauty minimizing the weight lose by recutting or repolishing over the original facets. The length of time and quality achieved is proportional to the cost charged and worth every penny.

After cutting, the stone may be set in a ring. (Figures 5, 6 & 7) It may take two months or longer to hand-craft a ring. The finished piece is mailed to the laboratory taking three weeks longer. The result is an exquisitely rare finished product with certification and photographs to document your purchase.

No dealer specializes in Kashmir. It takes many years to differentiate between the more classic verses contemporary gems. It takes even more time understanding the suttle characteristics that increase or decrease a stones value by tens of thousands of dollars. A fine sapphire can be purchased as both an item of adornment and or investment. We can help you find that stone. Please write us with further questions. KB

Skype: KashmirBlue     Email: info@kashmirblue.com
Figure 7 click to enlarge