The famous “Star of India” is the largest known example of which type of gemstone? Explained

The famous “Star of India” is the largest known example of which type of gemstone? Explained

The magnificent Star of India is the world’s most famous example of a blue star sapphire. This greyish-blue gemstone is a variety of the mineral corundum and weighs a staggering 563.35 carats, making it roughly the size of a golf ball. Its most enchanting feature is an optical phenomenon called asterism, where tiny fibers of the mineral rutile reflect light to create a sharp, six-rayed star. Remarkably, this star is visible on both the top and the bottom of the stone’s smooth, cabochon-cut surface, a trait that is exceptionally rare for a gem of its massive scale.

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