star sapphire: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

Not necessarily. Value depends on colour, clarity, size, and the sharpness and centring of the star. A fine star sapphire with a sharp, centred star can be extremely valuable, but many are less valuable than top-quality faceted sapphires.

Yes. While blue is classic, sapphires (and thus star sapphires) can be pink, yellow, green, grey, or even black (often called 'star black sapphire'). The star is usually white or silvery.

They are almost always cut en cabochon (a smooth, domed, unfaceted polish). This oval or round dome shape is essential for displaying the star effect, which moves across the surface as the stone is tilted.

Yes. Synthetic star sapphires have been created since the 1940s (e.g., the Linde star). They are common in less expensive jewellery and can have very sharp, perfect stars, as the inclusions are artificially induced in a controlled process.

A sapphire gemstone that exhibits a star-shaped optical phenomenon (asterism) when viewed under a direct light source, caused by needle-like inclusions of rutile.

Star sapphire is usually formal / technical (in gemmology); literary / branding (in extended use) in register.

Star sapphire: in British English it is pronounced /ˌstɑː ˈsæf.aɪər/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌstɑːr ˈsæf.aɪər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.