Collection: September 20, 2025 Myanmar (Burma) Sapphire

Broadly speaking, Burma refers to present-day Myanmar.

For a time, due to political reasons, it was named the Union of Burma, and even now, many people still refer to it as Burma.

Google Maps also includes the notation "(Burma)."


In GemTreeJapan, anything labeled "Burma" is synonymous with Myanmar origin.

The back labels are also generally "Myanmar (Burma)."




Next, about Myanmar sapphires.


Sapphire is a type of stone that is relatively abundant in terms of its origin.

Since it's aluminum oxide, it's not a particularly rare element.

It can even be found in Japan, in prefectures like Niigata and Nara.





Even if there are many origins, the quality can vary greatly depending on the deposit and formation.

Among them, Myanmar sapphires, with their deep and vibrant blue and fine, velvety texture, are highly regarded as top-tier sapphires.

From a market value perspective, Indian Kashmiri sapphires are exceptionally the most expensive, with Myanmar sapphires holding a position of high value, comparable to the next highest.

Corundum has different gem names depending on its color: "red is ruby, others are sapphire."

In mineralogy, they are essentially the same, so it's common for both to be found in the same region, and in fact, because chromium in rubies is a rare element, the output of rubies is fundamentally much lower than that of sapphires.


Regarding mining in Myanmar, geographically, it is rich in chromium, and more rubies are produced, while the amount of beautiful, deep blue sapphires produced is overwhelmingly small. This is another reason why they are valued as "beautiful and rare sapphires with limited quantities."

Not all Myanmar sapphires are Royal Cornflower Blue. There is a range of blue hues.

There are several mines in Myanmar, but it is very difficult to pinpoint a specific mine for purchase. So, from Nori's perspective, it's generally sufficient to be satisfied with the "country-level" identification provided by gemological laboratories.

However, according to information from our suppliers, the majority of high-quality rubies and sapphires generally come from Mogok.

Many people might have heard of larger mining areas (mines) like Mogok and Namya.

While rubies are abundant, sapphires are limited in number but often yield particularly beautiful crystals due to geographical conditions.

 

Mogok has a geological environment rich in chromium, which leads to the abundant production of intensely vibrant red rubies.

The combination of marble host rock and a chromium source, in particular, produces the unique and beautiful rubies found in this region.

Regarding sapphires, the main topic, there are two types of deposits: volcanic and metamorphic. The former tends to be rich in iron, which often results in a duller hue in their beauty.

Cambodia, Australia, and Thailand fall into this category.

Beautiful sapphires from these regions are quite rare due to their limited numbers, and consequently, they come with a high price tag.

This is because the presence of gray from iron prevents them from being classified as Royal Blue or Cornflower.

The image below shows a beautiful sapphire from Thailand, but it's rich in iron, with its intensity taking precedence over its vibrancy.

In contrast, the latter, metamorphic type, found in Kashmir and Myanmar, contains little iron and exhibits beautiful color due to titanium. As a result, these tend to display a very beautiful and pure blue color.

Burmese Cornflower Blue Sapphire 3.110ct

Setting aside the discussion of primary and secondary deposits for now, just understanding these differences allows you to visually discern that "this origin and that origin have different atmospheres."

Now, please fully enjoy sapphires, the gemstone symbolizing GemTreeJapan!