Blue sapphire | 0.96ct

At SALT GEMS, every loose gemstone is chosen with intention. We hand-select for exceptional color and clarity, then each stone is cut in-house by Joyce or Scott with precision and care. Every facet is refined to exacting standards — no scratches, a flawless polish, and perfect meet points — followed by rigorous quality checks. Each gemstone is stored individually, ensuring nothing touches it until it's ready to be set for you. 

Color: Blue
Carat: 0.96ct
Clarity: Loupe clean
Cut: Oval
Measurements: 6.00mm x 4.85mm x 4.02mm
Treatments: Unknown (likely heated)
Comments: This gem's color is blue mixed with a hint of violet. Outdoors on a blue sky day, this gem is a vibrant Ceylon-blue color. 

[Please note: This is not sold as a loose gemstone; it must be set into jewelry with Salt Gems.]

UMBA VALLEY, TANZANIA (Sapphire)

Situated in northeastern Tanzania’s Tanga Region, the Umba Valley is named after the river that flows through its gem-rich terrain. This area is one of the most mineralogically diverse in East Africa, known especially for producing sapphire and garnet. Umba sapphires are celebrated for their vivid and varied color range—spanning yellow, orange, pink, violet, green, and even bi-color combinations—often showing hues not typically found in other sapphire sources.

Due to the natural formation conditions, Umba sapphires frequently contain rutile silk and a host of other mineral inclusions. While eye-clean specimens are rare, many of these internal features contribute to the gem’s individuality—sometimes enhancing optical effects such as asterism or giving each stone a distinct internal texture. The sapphires are typically recovered from secondary alluvial deposits, and require thoughtful cutting to balance color, clarity, and orientation.

Each Umba sapphire we offer has been carefully selected and precision-cut to highlight the natural beauty and character of this remarkable East African deposit.