I think it’s a star sapphire?

[YadaYadaYada]

I posted this in the antique forum before I thought to post here. This was found on EBay looking for moonstone but it has a six ray star that moves depending on the light. I’m pretty sure it’s a star sapphire but wanted to get some expert input: TIA!

 

[marymm]

not saying it isn't a pink star sapphire, but it reminds me of rose quartz, which when cut in cabochon can exhibit asterism

 

[Dreamer_D]

It’s pretty! Can’t say if it’s a star sapphire. As Mary said there are some other gems that show asterism.

 

[YadaYadaYada]

@marymm @Dreamer_D thanks for your thoughts, maybe I’ll get it looked at but just wanted to see what folks here thought, I know identifying gemstones through pictures is not really possible. Still it’s pretty and I’m happy with it whatever it ends up as.

 

[Starstruck8]

not saying it isn't a pink star sapphire, but it reminds me of rose quartz, which when cut in cabochon can exhibit asterism

Yes. Here are some star rose quartz spheres:


These were not sold as star rose quartz, just as rose quartz spheres at rock shops, max price $15. I used a flashlight to spot the starry ones. If I'd stuck to rose quartz, rather than 'graduating' to star sapphire, I be a lot richer. Note that 'rose' quartz isn't always very pink - see the lower left and centre stones.

As I recall, @Glitterara scored a star sapphire sold as moonstone:

Thank you, dreamer! I couldn't believe my luck when I found it--the seller told me it was "a star something, I forget what." I said, "Star sapphire," but she said "No, that's not it--star moonstone, I think," and sold it to me for not much more than the value of the gold. It's one of my very favorite rings.

But hers was pale blue:

Adding my latest star sapphire, an Edwardian stickpin conversion. The pin had already been snipped off when I got it; my jeweler found an empty antique ring setting that fit it pretty well to add to the back. It's maybe 5 or 5 1/2 carats, nicely transparent blue-gray, with some zoning (a transparent stripe). The star is sharper in person--it's hard to get a good photo.

As always, you can't tell from pictures, but star rose quartz seems more likely for yours. It's definitely worth having checked.

 

[YadaYadaYada]

Thank you @Starstruck8 that is very helpful and I really had no idea about star rose quartz so I learned something new. I’m working on finding someone who can just verify the stone rather than getting a full appraisal done. The appraiser I usually use charges a minimum and it is excessive considering I don’t need a full appraisal.

I did compare just for fun to some rose quartz beads as well as throwing it under a microscope and comparing to another star sapphire I have. It seems to have more purple than my rose quartz beads which is not apparent until they are side by side. The stone is also very opaque under the microscope and in seemingly very good condition.

 

[glitterata]

It's very pretty, whatever it is!

You could try testing it with one of those cheap diamond-tester-pen things (I got mine on Amazon for lunch money). They don't give a definitive answer, but they do tend to go up higher for corundum than for quartz. It's not like taking it to a lab, but it should give you a sense of what's likely. Especially if you have similar-sized examples of corundum and quartz to test and compare.

Make sure the stone you're testing is sitting in a piece of metal like a gem holder, if it's not set.

 

[YadaYadaYada]

Thanks @glitterata, I am happy with it really no matter but for curiosity sake…

Good to know about the tester pens, I was looking at them today because I figured it was a cheap enough way to verify. So I appreciate you mentioning them.

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

@marymm @Dreamer_D thanks for your thoughts, maybe I’ll get it looked at but just wanted to see what folks here thought, I know identifying gemstones through pictures is not really possible. Still it’s pretty and I’m happy with it whatever it ends up as.

even if it is rose quartz it is so pretty
i would love in on my finger

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

Yes. Here are some star rose quartz spheres:


These were not sold as star rose quartz, just as rose quartz spheres at rock shops, max price $15. I used a flashlight to spot the starry ones. If I'd stuck to rose quartz, rather than 'graduating' to star sapphire, I be a lot richer. Note that 'rose' quartz isn't always very pink - see the lower left and centre stones.

As I recall, @Glitterara scored a star sapphire sold as moonstone:

But hers was pale blue:


As always, you can't tell from pictures, but star rose quartz seems more likely for yours. It's definitely worth having checked.

Starbuck i love those, how would i go abut finding one to buy for a ring ?

 

[Starstruck8]

Starbuck i love those, how would i go abut finding one to buy for a ring ?

Those are whole spheres, so probably not suitable for a ring. (Unless you are considering a very fancy design, or you know a lapidary with a saw.) They are easy to find at rock shops and new age-y crystal shops, either physical or online.

Searching online for 'star rose quartz ring' or 'star rose quartz cabochon' shows lots of results. As with many things, higher quality usually costs more. If you are looking online, make sure that they are described as star rose quartz, because plain rose quartz rings are much more common. If you are looking in person in a rock shop or crystal shop, bring a flashlight to check the stars.