This stone’s black color is a result of iron and titanium traces present in the mineral. It is a variety of the so-called “star sapphires” – stones that due to their unique crystal structures reflect light in the shape of a star.īlack star sapphire is mostly mined in Thailand, West Africa and India. Is Black Sapphire the Same as Black Star Sapphire?īlack star sapphire has a similar sounding name but is actually a different stone. More: Check out this extensive selection of beautiful sapphire jewelry. Indeed, this stone can successfully act as an onyx substitute.Īlthough both stones look very similar, onyx is actually softer, while sapphire is one of the hardest gemstones (9 out of 10 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness).īecause of this similarity, you may consider getting a black sapphire for your ring or pendant if you want a stone that has the color of onyx but is much harder. An Alternative to Onyx?īecause of its color, black sapphire is often confused with onyx. This variety of sapphire is very cheap and is considered low grade. Sometimes, this stone also looks very dark blue or gray.Ĭlick here to see how black sapphire looks on actual jewelry.īlack sapphires come mainly from Australia and are mined in large quantities. For example, see a black sapphire ring here. What Is Black Sapphire?īlack sapphire is a nearly opaque stone whose color is so dark that it appears to absorb all light that enters the gemstone. The most sought-after color of sapphire is blue, but green, pink and yellow stones are also popular.

Raw black sapphire