Safiirinkiteitä

Safiirinkiteitä refers to sapphire crystals. Sapphires are a precious gemstone and a variety of the mineral corundum, which is composed of aluminum oxide. Pure corundum is colorless, but trace amounts of other elements like iron and titanium can give sapphires their characteristic blue color. Other colors, such as pink, yellow, green, and purple, are also possible and are referred to as fancy sapphires.

The color of a sapphire is determined by the type and concentration of these trace elements. For example, the most sought-after blue sapphires owe their color to the presence of iron and titanium. Red corundum is known as ruby, and all other colors of corundum are classified as sapphires.

Sapphires are known for their exceptional hardness, ranking 9 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, making them very durable and resistant to scratching. This property contributes to their use not only in jewelry but also in industrial applications where wear resistance is crucial, such as in watch crystals and high-performance bearings.

The formation of sapphires typically occurs in igneous rocks, particularly those rich in aluminum and silica. They are often found in placer deposits, having been eroded from their original source rocks and transported by water. Major sapphire-producing regions historically and currently include Kashmir, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Australia, and Montana in the United States. The value of a sapphire is determined by its color, clarity, cut, and carat weight.