Origins / Kashmir

Kashmir

India Jammu & Kashmir Legendary

Kashmir sapphires are considered the gold standard of the sapphire world, prized for their velvety cornflower blue color caused by microscopic silk inclusions. Discovered around 1881 after a landslide exposed the deposits at Paddar, the mines at over 4,500 meters elevation produced stones for only a brief period. Today, Kashmir sapphires appear almost exclusively at auction, where they command record prices per carat.

History

The original deposits were discovered by a local shepherd after a landslide in the Zanskar Range around 1881. Significant production lasted only until the late 1880s before the richest veins were exhausted, making genuine Kashmir sapphires among the rarest collector stones in existence.

Notable Gems

Sapphire

Gemstones from this Origin

blue

Sapphire

Hardness: 9.0

Frequently Asked Questions

What gemstones come from Kashmir?
Notable gemstones from Kashmir include Sapphire.
What is the quality tier of Kashmir?
Kashmir is classified as a legendary quality mining origin.
Is mining still active in Kashmir?
No, mining is no longer active in Kashmir, India.
What is the mining history of Kashmir?
The original deposits were discovered by a local shepherd after a landslide in the Zanskar Range around 1881. Significant production lasted only until the late 1880s before the richest veins were exhausted, making genuine Kashmir sapphires among the rarest collector stones in existence.

Explore Other Origins

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