How rare are Kashmir sapphires? Geology of Kashmir Valley

Why Kashmir Sapphire is Popular?

Kashmir Sapphire stones are the one of the most rare stones due to several factors such as color, clarity, size and rarity. Their unique velvet blue color has been attracting the gemstone lovers. However, the mining of kashmir sapphire ceased by the early 20th century which played significant role in the increase of sapphire scarcity and value. This rarity is the main key point which is making the Kashmir sapphire most expensive stone. Kashmir Sapphires also come in variety of colors such as mainly velvet blue, pinkish purple with velvet blue, purplish pink with red hue, lavender sapphire, pink and purple.

Kashmir Sapphire is popular due to its unique cornflower blue with sleepy which is described as " blue velvet ". Though some Myanmar and Ceylon sapphires also resembles to color like cornflower but the Kashmir Sapphire has set its standard place as a " King of Sapphire".

Origin of Kashmir Sapphire Stones

The first Kashmir Sapphires are mined from the Himalayan Mountains which is located surrounding the famous Kashmir Valley. The stones were mined in Jamu and Kashmir which was under control of Indian Government by the Maharaja of Kashmir during 1882 to 1887. The mine was depleted later on due to over extraction of the stones. Right now mining of blue sapphire is ceased in this area of Jammu due to political unrest.

At Present, the Kashmir sapphires are being mined from the Batakundi area of Kashmir region in north side of Pakistan.

Geology of Kashmir Valley

The Kashmir Valley is a disputed territory between India and Pakistan and is located around the Himalayans and Karakoram and Kobe Hindukash mountains.

2- Azad Kashmir is administered by Pakistan which is mainly based on himalayan mountains. Officially, the well-known Karakoram and Hindu-kash mountains in Skardu, Gilgit-Baltistan, are also considered part of the Kashmir Valley.

1- Jammu and Kashmir is administered by India at Indian side of Kashmir.

Geologically, the Kashmir mountains are identical on both sides of the border. Sapphires are mined from the Himalayan range within the Kashmir Valley, straddling both Indian and Pakistani administrations. Kashmir valley is also known as " Vale of Kashmir". The valley is comprising on sedimentary, metamorphic and igneous rocks. At present, sapphires are being mined in Azad Kashmir which is area of the Pakistani-administered sector for Kashmir region in the northerstern side of the Indian subcontinent. Azad means " Free" Kashmir. It was established in 1947 with the partition of Indian and Pakistan. Azad Kashmir has area of 1680 square km which is bordering the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir to the east. ‎The are of Gilgit-Baltistan region of Pakistani-administered Kashmir to the north are separate.

According to geological research and beliefs, the Kashmir region was once under the Tethys Sea. This resulted in the formation of sedimentary rocks and mountains. An earthquake created a pass near Baramulla. This caused the water to flow towards Pakistan while leaving behind muddy plains and mountains. These mountains are located in the region such as "Kheraw,". Khewra is known for containing the famous "Himalayan Pink Salt." Due to this pink salt, the mountains of Khewra, also known as Kelar Kahar, are referred to as the Salt Range.

This is Kashmir Valley geological map which is showing the sediments group of Kerwa, loessic sediments, Dilpur Formation, Shankerpora, Khan sahib and Pakistan side village sections, Putkhah.

Kashmir is a mountainous region with lush green natural beauty and having distinctive culture and tradition. The Kashmir valley is a tectonic basin surrounded by Himalayan range of mountains in the north and Pir Panjal range in the south. The geological origin of the valley is linked to the collision of Eurasian plate and Indian plate which once led to the Himalayan range formation around 50 million years ago. The valley is summarised by its fertile land and flat topography. The Jammu river originate from Indian administered territory and flows into Pakistan. Kashmir is also lying over active geological faults. On October, 8, 2005, 7.6 magnitude of earth quake happend on one of the faults which has weak and cracked rocks. This was one of the historical disaster in Pakistan side Kashmir destroying 1000s of lives and homes.

Factors Affecting the Rarity of Kashmir Sapphire

There are several factors that contribute to the high cost of Kashmir sapphires:-

Origin and Rarity: The name "Kashmir sapphire" originates from the Kashmir region in the Indian subcontinent. The renowned Kashmir Valley in Jammu produced sapphires with a rare and deep blue color that immediately attracted the gemstone buyers. This whole valley from Indian side to Pakistan side also presents various type of sapphires in various shades of blue to pink. The first mine that produced the popular royal blue sapphires ceased its operations in the early 1990s. This is making these Kashmir sapphires exceptionally rare today, as newly mined blue sapphires from the original mine are no longer available on the market.

High Demand of Kashmir Sapphire: Due to its unique color and features, the Kashmir Sapphires are having high demand in the market. Kashmir is now a brand name. The buyers want to pay as much as if the sapphire has Kashmir name with the particular color tone. The velvety texture and deep cornflower blue color is making them highly demanded and desirable. The sapphires are often placed at the top of collectors' lists.

Limited Sapphire Production Over the Period: The limited supply and absence of new deposits have not been identified or have significant quantities which have played the role in the high price of Kashmir Sapphires.

Historical Significance: The sapphires also have historical and culture values which is making the sapphire most demanding gemstone. Their association with the particular culture is making them unique.

Factors of Geography: The beautiful valley of lush green Kashmir has a political instability. As a disputed region, Kashmir lacks autonomy. The valley is being administered by both Pakistan and India in designated areas. The presence of the military in Jammu and Kashmir often leads to conflicts between the local Kashmiri population and the army. Due to this political insatability, new mining operations are not accessible, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir. These circumstances also give challenges to accessing existing sapphire mining sites. However, the outsiders and the foreigners can visit the Azad Kashmir area to explore purplish-pink sapphires.

Availability of Sapphires in the Market: Most of the time, the blue Kashmir sapphires are no longer available on the market. The sapphires found today typically are coming from old collections, and when they do appear, they are demanded with a very high prices. Currently, the gemstone market primarily offers purplish blue, purplish pink, and reddish pink sapphires which are originated from Azad Kashmir, Pakistan. However, due to the high altitude and lack of mining facilities, the production of sapphires in the Azad Kashmir region is very limited and difficult, and gem-quality sapphires are rare. Occasionally, the mines in Pakistani-administered Kashmir produce velvet blue sapphires, but these are also very rare, with the majority of production being purplish pink sapphires.

What is Worth of Kashmir Sapphire?

Due to rarity and unique characteristics and above told factors, the Kashmir sapphire has become a highly rare gemstone. Kashmir sapphires are categorised into two colors: Cornflower Blue Kashmir Sapphires and Purplish Pink Sapphires.

Worth of Blue Kashmir Sapphire:

Kashmir sapphires are popular and known for their blue color. They have distinctive velvet blue color which is coming due to unique trace elements of corundum mineral. The presence of iron and titanium is giving deep blue hue to the sapphire.

One of the most popular Kashmir sapphire " The jewel of Kashmir" with 28 carats was sold at Sotheby’s Hong Kong auction in 2015 for $6.7 million. This made the world record in the most expensive sapphire for per carat cost. It had rich saturation, color and very good transparency. These all made it higher quality gems among the Kashmir Sapphires.
26.41-Carats Kashmir Sapphire with Diamond Brooch - $3,838,508: This 26.41-carat Kashmir sapphire and diamond brooch was sold for an impressive $3,838,508 at Christie's Hong Kong auction in November 2011. The SSEF Swiss Gemmological Institute graded the sapphire as rare, untreated, and from Kashmir.
35.09-Carat Kashmir Blue Sapphire Ring - worth of $7,357,999: In May 2015, a 35.09-carat Kashmir blue sapphire ring was sold for $7,357,999 at Christie's Geneva Magnificent Jewels auction. This sale set a new record for a Kashmir sapphire.
An exceptionally rare necklace designed with Kashmir sapphire and diamonds with 109.08 carats was sold for 14.9 million USD in 2019.
On another occasion, cushion cut pair of earrings with each having 8 carat stone were sold for $2 million in 2015. Those earrings belonged to 19th-century and were associated with unnamed European Princess.

Worth of Other Colors such as Purplish Pink Kashmir Sapphires:

Purplish pink sapphires have also unique reddish-pink color shades along with various hues such as purple, red and blue. These sapphires often display color changes or color shift characteristics while appearing different under white, yellow, or daylight. They also show strong fluorescence under UV light.

Kashmir Sapphire Varieties from Azad Kashmir, Pakistan

These unique characteristics are making these pinkish Kashmir sapphires quite rare and increasingly in demand. However, their prices remain lower than the popular cornflower blue velvet Kashmir sapphires. Still, the limited quantity in the market for these sapphires, along with high demand and low production, will continue to make these sapphires rare and increase in their demand over time.