Most sapphire crystals are long prismatic and terminate in pyramids. This glowing, hot-bubble-gum pink, translucent and super-lustrous, sapphire is really unique and special! It is short and prismatic, and doubly terminated - a floater all around! The specimen clearly exhibits hexagonal shape. This could be cut into a cabochon, just for its color. If transparent, this specimen would sell for tens of thousands of dollars. As a specimen, it will leap out amongst any corundums, rubies, sapphires. It is REALLY intense...the rightmost pic is more accurately colored and even that pales in comparison to the actual piece. Out of hundreds of these I have seen, this ONE is most special.

A fine miniature from the 1990s production here, and out of the noted collection of Dr. Ed David (former Nixon science advisor). The main crystal is actually doubly-terminated, and floats in the matrix perfectly situated for contrast by the preparator who worked it out. the crystal is sharp, textbook in form; and has an intense red color and classic waxy luster. It has one very clean repair in the middle, considered acceptable to me in a ruby of this size and quality, as it had to be worked out of the matrix to display as nicely as it does. Note the shocking fluorescence under ultraviolet light, as a bonus. Joe Budd Photos.

A classic Russian sapphire specimen of this very unusual roseate habit, which looks like a flower. We see many partial examples, or pieces, but few so complete as this one from here. It has, in person , more of a robust blue color in fluorescent lights. Joe Budd Photos.