Black Star of Queensland
| Black Star of Queensland, Star Sapphire | |
|---|---|
|
The 733-carat Black Star of Queensland | |
| General | |
| Category | Oxide mineral |
| Identification | |
| Color | Black |
Black Star of Queensland is a 733-carat (146.6 g) black sapphire, and was the world's largest gem quality star sapphire.[lower-alpha 1] The stone was reportedly found by 12-year-old Roy Spencer in the mid-1930s in the Queensland gem fields near Anakie, Queensland. Roy showed the stone to his miner father, Harry, who assumed that it was merely a large black crystal. Not realising the value of the stone with its rough exterior, the family used it as a doorstop in their home for over a decade, until Harry took a closer look and discovered the gem hidden within.[2] The gem has been involved in several ownership disputes.[3][4]
The Black Star of Queensland was on display during the 1960s at the Smithsonian as part of a display with the Hope Diamond. From 2 June through 2 December 2007, it was on display at the Royal Ontario Museum. The sapphire is now owned by an unknown private party and is not believed to be on public display.[5]
The Star of India at 563.4 carats (112.68 g) is thought to be the largest gem quality blue star sapphire, and is on display at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.[6]
Notes
- ↑ The Star of Adam is believed to be the largest star sapphire at 1,404.49 carats.[1]
References
- ↑ Sivaramakrishnan, P. (4 January 2016). "World's largest blue star sapphire 'found in Sri Lanka'". BBC. Retrieved 5 January 2016.
- ↑ Dixon, Fiona. "Gem stories". Retrieved 2015-02-16.
- ↑ Kim, Victoria (5 January 2010). "For some, a sapphire has not been their best friend". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2011-11-09.
- ↑ Li, David (16 July 2008). "Heavyweight Gem $cuffle". New York Post. Retrieved 2011-11-09.
- ↑ Black, Debra (17 May 2007). "Sapphire to star at ROM". Toronto Star. Retrieved 2012-05-30.
- ↑ "Star of India". American Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 2014-12-10.