This is a SPECTACULAR Lot of 3 Velvety Purplish Pink "Rubies/Sapphires" from a fairly new deposit located in Batakundi, Pakistan. GIA article on this material HERE! DON'T THINK ABOUT IT AND PICK THIS UP BEFORE IT IS GONE! We don't normally deal in cut stones and when we do our prices are usually a give away! These stones were purchased specifically for analysis and research. 1 stone is very clean while the other two are probably slightly included at best. Locals in Pakistan refer to these either as Ruby or Corundum; however, none refer to them as Sapphire which is what most in the US would refer to them as. There is actually a distinction in Pakistan between Sapphire and Corundum and Ruby for that matter! Sapphire is referred to for Blue Stones and Ruby for Red or Reddish stones whereas Corundum seems to cover everything in the middle (particularly Purplish stones).

We would probably refer to this material as Sapphire ourselves, at least for 2 of the stones. Some of the inclusions in the largest stone look very similar to the fingerprints commonly found in Ruby and these stones may heat well but there are no guarantees. The stones are unfortunately not clean; however, this lot is IDEAL for the collector who would like a little of everything! We don't know how long the mines in Pakistan will produce this as they are relatively new and there isn't much of this material available. If you would like to have this oddity for your collection don't miss this opportunity!

1. Batakundi has been producing Ruby & Sapphire for several years now; however, the material really has not ended up in the local US market largely due to limited production. Over the last 1-2 years production has begun to increase significantly as a result of elevated market demand which has inspired more and more prospectors to begin mining for the rough.

2. Batakundi Corundum generally ranges in color from a Lavender to a Purplish Red; however, stones do occasionally show some Cornflower Blue spots and Blue color zoning. Much of the rough is actually found with a Graphite exterior and is quite messy and difficult to clean off. We have encountered miners that actually lathe the rough to get rid of the thick black coating so as to see the true quality of the material. Much of the material tends to have a velvety overtone similar to Kashmir Sapphire. The velvety overtone looks like an almost lavender haze inside much of the rough and gives it a very subtle glow!  Silk and color banding are usually visible in some of the material as is common with Corundum in general.