Sapphire

Project Overview

Sapphire gemstone appraisals can be found on Google and elsewhere. Rare and unique colors often command high prices, and natural (unheated) sapphires can cost anywhere from a few million won per carat to tens of millions of won for the finest. Sapphires weighing around 40,000 carats are particularly difficult to find. This gem, stored in the Gwanghwamun (Vault 1932) vault, is an example. Its two-color composition, yellow and pink, makes it an extremely rare gem.

Business Overview

Sapphire is one of the four major precious gemstones, alongside diamond, ruby, and emerald. A member of the corundum family, it has a Mohs hardness of 9, making it exceptionally durable and suitable as a long-term physical asset. Although sapphires occur in many colors, deep blue varieties—particularly Royal Blue and Cornflower Blue—are the most valued and have long symbolized authority, wisdom, and eternity. Naturally formed over hundreds of millions of years, sapphires possess rarity and individuality that cannot be replicated artificially. Their durability allows them to be preserved across generations, reinforcing their value beyond ornamentation. Aesthetically, sapphires are admired for their depth of color, transparency, and brilliance, giving them strong artistic appeal. Historically and culturally, sapphires have been associated with royalty and sacred power. Notable examples include the St Edward’s Sapphire in the British Crown Jewels and historically significant stones such as the Queen Marie of Romania Sapphire. A sapphire’s value is determined by color, clarity, cut, and carat weight, with large, high-quality stones being extremely rare. Today, the global sapphire market continues to grow, supported by sustained demand from collectors, luxury jewelry brands, and cultural institutions