Gemstone profile and identification guide
Green Sapphire
Green Sapphire profile is under factual gemological review. Properties shown here are provisional unless marked as verified.
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Overview
Green Sapphire profile is under factual gemological review. Properties shown here are provisional unless marked as verified.
Did you know? Green Sapphire is commonly associated with material from Sri Lanka, though the broader trade may draw on multiple localities.
Use this profile as a collector reference and educational guide for quick on-page comparison, then validate with the interactive identification system.
Identification
Name: Green Sapphire
Scientific classification: Oxide (Corundum Variety)
Hardness: 9 Mohs
Transparency: transparent
Lustre: vitreous to adamantine
Crystal system: Trigonal
Primary colour: Blue
Secondary colour: Sapphire Blue
Colour family: Blues & Cyans
Start with hardness, lustre, and transparency: Green Sapphire is recorded here as 9 on the Mohs scale with vitreous lustre and transparent transparency. The interaction between blue and sapphire blue tones is more useful than the primary colour alone when comparing candidates. Useful side-by-side comparisons include Sapphire, Ruby, Spinel.
Verification Status
Status: verified-family-derived
Reference priority: GIA, Gem-A, Mindat, International Gem Society
Core identity fields inherited from verified parent profile: sapphire.
Green sapphire profile inherits sapphire core identity fields.
Variety-level locality and treatment specifics can differ and should be reviewed before publication-grade claims.
Physical Properties
Hardness category: very hard
Hardness value: 9 Mohs
Chemical composition: Aluminum oxide (Al2O3)
Crystal system: Trigonal
Common locations: Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Australia, Myanmar, Kashmir (historic India)
Learn more: Gem-A gemstone education resources.
Colour Variations
Green Sapphire sits in the blues & cyans grouping here, usually reading first as blue with sapphire blue appearing as a secondary note or modifier.
Optical effects: Asterism (in star sapphire), Colour Change (some sapphires)
Detailed Gemology
Mineral species: Corundum (sapphire variety)
Mineral group: Corundum
Chemical formula: Aluminum oxide (Al2O3)
Mohs hardness: 9
Crystal system: Trigonal
Lustre: vitreous to adamantine
Transparency: transparent
Streak: White
Cleavage: No true cleavage; parting may occur
Fracture: Conchoidal to uneven
Specific gravity: 3.99-4.01
Refractive index: 1.76-1.77
Optical phenomena: Asterism (in star sapphire), Colour Change (some sapphires)
Colour range: Blue, Sapphire Blue, Green
Common inclusions: Rutile silk, crystal inclusions, and healed fractures
Geological environment: Green Sapphire occurs in Metamorphic marbles and igneous/metamorphic deposits with alluvial concentrations. Its Trigonal structure reflects the pressure-temperature conditions of those host rocks, with notable occurrences in Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Australia, Myanmar, Kashmir (historic India).
Principal mining regions: Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Australia, Myanmar, Kashmir (historic India)
Important commercial sources: Commercial sapphire is sourced chiefly from Sri Lanka and Madagascar; Australia and Myanmar are also important
Historical significance: Ruby and sapphire are among the most historically significant and durable gem species.
Common treatments: Heat treatment is common; diffusion and fracture-filling treatments may occur and require disclosure.
Synthetic or imitation forms: Synthetic corundum (Verneuil, flux, hydrothermal) and glass imitations exist.
Common look-alikes: sapphire, ruby, spinel
Jewellery uses: Green Sapphire is used chiefly for Well suited to daily-wear jewellery, especially when cut and set to show colour or brilliance cleanly.. In the trade it is commonly fashioned as faceted stones, calibrated cuts, and higher-clarity collector pieces, with Mohs hardness 9 guiding suitable jewellery applications.
Care recommendations: Green Sapphire should be cleaned with lukewarm water, mild soap, and a soft brush. At Mohs 9 in the Trigonal system, avoid steam cleaners, harsh chemicals, and high-impact wear. Protect cleavage directions from sharp knocks during wear and setting.
Cross-check profile data with GIA Gem Encyclopedia and Mindat entry for Green Sapphire.
Formation
Green Sapphire is a Corundum (sapphire variety) material with chemistry Aluminum oxide (Al2O3). It develops in Metamorphic marbles and igneous/metamorphic deposits with alluvial concentrations, and economically significant production is associated with Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Australia, Myanmar, Kashmir (historic India).
Origin
Commercial sapphire is sourced chiefly from Sri Lanka and Madagascar; Australia and Myanmar are also important
Uses
Best for: Green Sapphire is used chiefly for Well suited to daily-wear jewellery, especially when cut and set to show colour or brilliance cleanly.. In the trade it is commonly fashioned as faceted stones, calibrated cuts, and higher-clarity collector pieces, with Mohs hardness 9 guiding suitable jewellery applications.
Ideal uses: Well suited to daily-wear jewellery, especially when cut and set to show colour or brilliance cleanly.
Care
Green Sapphire should be cleaned with lukewarm water, mild soap, and a soft brush. At Mohs 9 in the Trigonal system, avoid steam cleaners, harsh chemicals, and high-impact wear. Protect cleavage directions from sharp knocks during wear and setting.
Need another candidate? Use advanced gemstone search or return to the identification guide.
Related gemstones by colour
Related gemstones by hardness
Gemstones from the same mineral family
Commonly confused gemstones
Green Sapphire FAQ
How can I identify Green Sapphire?
Compare hardness (9 Mohs), crystal system (Trigonal), colour profile, and lustre (vitreous to adamantine) with your sample. Then cross-check related gemstones listed above.
What colour range does Green Sapphire appear in?
Green Sapphire sits in the blues & cyans grouping here, usually reading first as blue with sapphire blue appearing as a secondary note or modifier.
Where is Green Sapphire commonly used?
Well suited to daily-wear jewellery, especially when cut and set to show colour or brilliance cleanly.. For maintenance, follow the care guidance in this profile.
Scientific References
GIA: general gemstone identity (reviewed) - Reviewed as a variety profile derived from verified parent gemstone: sapphire.
Gem-A: gemological education and terminology (reviewed) - Reviewed as a variety profile derived from verified parent gemstone: sapphire.
Mindat: mineral species and locality index (reviewed) - Reviewed as a variety profile derived from verified parent gemstone: sapphire.
International Gem Society: collector-facing gem reference (reviewed) - Reviewed as a variety profile derived from verified parent gemstone: sapphire.