Sapphire

The sapphires of Myanmar occur in intimate association with rubies in virtually all alluvial deposits throughout the Mogok area, but are found in quantity at only a few localities, particularly 8 miles (13 km) west of Mogok, near Kathe. The Myanmar Sapphires are formed in the igneous rocks that undergo contact and regional metamorphosis. Normal and routine weathering causes the corundum down from mountains to settle on the bottom of river beds and streams from where it is recovered from the alluvial deposits. Not all Myanmar sapphires are deep in color. The best display a rich, intense, slightly violetish blue, but some are quite light. The key difference between Burma and sapphires from other countries is saturation, with those from Myanmar possessing much more color in the stone.