Kanchan Sapphires

[pyramid]

Where can one buy a good quality Kanchan sapphire ring. Are Kanchan colored sapphires better than Ceylon sapphires or is it the other way around?

What is the best colored sapphire - I believe I heard before it was a Kashmir sapphire - is that still the case?

Where is the best place to buy Kashmir sapphires?

 

[mogok]

I guess by Kanchan sapphire you mean Kanchanaburi sapphire?

Some Kanchanaburi sapphire can be much better than Sri Lankan gems, as origin is not a statement of quality: You have many fish-tank quality Kasmir or Burmese sapphires and you can have a great Australian gem...

Currently Kashmir and Burmese sapphire are seen as the best, but Kashmir production is nearly zero and burmese are, were and will continue to be rare gems. Most of the best stones from this origin will be available in auction house, not from miners.
Now in the gem market most of the stones are coming from Madagascar, and to a less extend Sri Lanka and then occasionally from other minor localities like Kanchanaburi in Thailand.

All the best,

 

[pyramid]

Thank you Mogok.

I have seen some sapphires earrings on QVC which say they are from Thailand. Are all sapphires mined in Thailand Kanchanaburi or are there other sapphires from that region? I realise they could have been manufactured there only.

 

[yowahking]

I would like to meet Mogok on one of my trips to Thailand, sounds like he and I share some thoughts. The Kanchanaburi area is very famous because of the famous RiverKwai, if you are old enough to have seen the movie or have a history side to you. There are so many sources for sapphire, but like I said before, the tv is paying big bucks to move merchandise, not the best source of accurate information. I buy thousands of sappires because of look and price, origin is less important to me. If I happen to find a good deal on a Kashmire stone to add to my collection, I will sell body parts to have it if it is large enough. I always buy good Thai sapphires when I am in Bangkok, not as many US dealers carry them. Focus either on what size, color, or price range you want to spend, and the countries will fall into place.

 

[mogok]

Hello,
Thanks Scott for these nice words, do not hesitate to come to see me in Bangkok when you will pass: We could go for a coffee, could we?
About sapphires in Thailand, there are several source: Kanchanabury is the more important one but there are also some sapphires near Chanthaburi at Ban Kha Cha.Ban Kha Cha sapphire mine near Chanthaburi
These sapphires are in fact belonging to the Thai cambodian ruby and sapphire gem field.
Besides Kanachanaburi and Chanthaburi there are also sapphires near Phrae in the north and some other small deposit near the Mekhong in the east of Thailand.
Thailand usually produces blue sapphire but is also famous for black star sapphires.
All the best,