Up until the end of the 19th century yellow sapphire was known as oriental topaz (only blue corundum was called sapphire). Nevertheless yellow and greenish yellow sapphires make unusual and attractive gemstones in their own right.

In Queensland and New South Wales (Australia), a greenish yellow sapphire is found that may be faceted. Similar stones occurs in Thailand, and purely yellow stones in Sri Lanka, Montana (USA), and East Africa.

Chemical Composition: 

Aluminium oxide

Crystal System / Forms: 

Trigonal

Hardness: 

9

Specific Gravity: 

4.00

Lustre: 

Vitreous

Refractive Index / Birefringence: 

1.76-1.77 / 0.008

Cuts & Uses: 

Brilliant, Mixed.