Prior to Lindies, how was a blue star sapphire faked

[NoAngeIllI]

My mom is 82 and was given her grandmother’s blue star sapphire ring when she was about 15. My great grandmother had had it for years before giving it to my mom.

I don’t believe it’s a Lindy, but the jeweler said it’s not real. You can see the “blue” coming off of one part of the bottom of the stone. It almost looks as if it was painted on the bottom and when he tried cleaning the bottom of the stone, the blue maybe started scratching off??

I’m pretty sure the bottom is flat. The stone, itself almost looks opaque-ish and colorless from the side. The star seems to follow a flashlight when it’s moved in a circle.

So, my main question is this: if this ring is approximately 80 years old (+/-), how were star sapphires “faked” back then? It’s a beautiful ring, and I love it for sentimental value, as well as looks. But I’m interested in how this was achieved.

 

[Bluegemz]

It’s beautiful. Stars were made by backing natural pale star quartz with a blue film. The good news is that the star is actually a natural star in these cases, just not a star sapphire. (Though the blue is not natural.) Such lovely proportions and asterism.

 

[NoAngeIllI]

Thank you! I did feel as if the star was natural, but obviously the blue was not. Either way I think it’s beautiful!

Here is another question, if you don’t mind. Is it possible to “re-blue” the bottom of the stone?

Thanks, again!

 

[Daisys and Diamonds]

there are very talented people around who specialise in costume jewlery restoration who might be confident to work on it
its a beautiful ring with so much family history, if it were mine id want to get it fixed and then id wear it with pride as often as i could
there is a lady in Dunedin Florida who ive talked to - i found her on esty (this could be spelt wrong) but i can't remember the name of the bussiness

 

[NoAngeIllI]

That’s such great news!

Oh, I will be wearing it all the time whether or not I am able to get it fixed.

Thank you so much for the information.

 

[Bluegemz]

I too think it can be restored. I might need to come out of the setting, have the blue scraped off and then reapplied. Paints/films today are probably more durable, so it really might be worth the effort to preserve it as an heirloom.

 

[distracts]

I have no knowledge to offer but it looks great and I like the setting. Glad others knew what could be going on with it.

 

[NoAngeIllI]

Bluegemz, thank you for the info. I’m going to see if I can find someone who can fix it.

Distracts, thank you!