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Corundum · Variety of Sapphire

Teal Sapphire

Blue-green teal; Fe/Ti combination coloring agents

Blue-Green Teal
Optical properties

Optical characteristics

Ref. index
1.762 – 1.77
Birefringence
0.008 – 0.01
Luster
Vitreous
Pleochroism
Strong Dichroism between blue and green; the interplay of both hues on different axes creates the characteristic teal appearance.
Fluorescence
Typically inert; iron-titanium coloring suppresses fluorescence.
Origins

Source localities

Sri Lanka Sri Lanka: Ratnapura / Elahera
Notable ★ Top Source

Sri Lanka produces teal sapphires from its alluvial fields alongside its classic blue and fancy-color material.

12% est. supply
Tanzania Tanzania: Umba Valley
Significant

Diverse alluvial deposit known for color-change sapphires, Umba padparadscha, rhodolite and malaia garnet.

13% est. supply
Australia Australia: New South Wales / Queensland fields
Commercial

Commercial sapphire and opal source; many darker blue to blue-green sapphires.

44% est. supply
Madagascar Madagascar: Ilakaka / Andranondambo region
Major

Modern major source for sapphire, garnet, beryl, quartz, tourmaline and many collector gems.

9% est. supply
United States USA: Montana sapphire fields
Major ★ Top Source

Known for Montana sapphires in blue, teal, green and fancy colors.

22% est. supply
Treatments

Enhancement & treatment

Heat Heat Treatment, Corundum Heat is the most common corundum treatment. It can improve color and clarity, but… Diffusion Beryllium Diffusion Beryllium diffusion introduces light elements during high-temperature heating to alter body color. It must…
Inclusions

Inclusions & features

Zoning Color Zoning Under 10x loupe in immersion: bands or patches of deeper or lighter color arranged… Needles Silk, Rutile Needles Under 10x loupe: extremely fine bright lines crossing in three directions at 60° angles.… Fractures Fingerprint Inclusions Under 10x loupe: curved or wavy lines of tiny dots forming patterns that look… Fractures Feathers and Fractures Under 10x loupe: irregular internal surfaces that catch light and appear bright, wing-like, or… Crystals Crystal Inclusions Under 10x loupe: solid, well-formed mineral crystals trapped inside the host gem. They may…
Identification

Instruments used

Refractometer Measures refractive index, the backbone of gem identification Dichroscope Reveals pleochroism, instantly eliminates singly-refractive stones 10x Loupe Your most-used instrument, start every examination here UV Lamp, Long Wave and Short Wave Fluorescence exposes treatments, synthetics, and origin Spectroscope Reads characteristic absorption lines, confirms chromium, iron, copper Polariscope Determines single vs. double refraction, quick and conclusive