The Nature-blessed State of Jammu and Kashmir has much to offer to its people - charming scenery, temperate climate and a lot of mineral wealth. This mineral wealth has fascinated geologists, surveyors, and commonman alike, but the Sapphire produced in the remote region of the State - Padder has carved for itself a prominent place in the hearts of people across the world.
These Sapphires mines are located at Suncham village of Tehsil Padder in Distt. Kishtwar at an altitude of about 11,000 feet. This was formerly occupied by an extension of the graciers which now descend only as far as its upper end from the passes leading into Zanskar. During glacial times this portion of the hills stood at a lower elevation than at present and has undergone a considerable upheaval since the period.
The existence of sapphire was first brought to light in 1881, or early 1882 when some were brought to Shimla by traders who stated that they had been obtained from a spot among the mountains on the borders of Zanskar at Padder, where a landslip had laid bare the rocks beneath the soil and disclosed the presence of gems.
Various stories are told about the original discovery. According to one of these, a Shikari (hunter) having lost the flint from his gun while hunting looked for a small fragment of quartz or other hard rock to strike a light with. He picked up a small hard stone and found that it answered his purpose better than the ordinary fragments of quartz. He carried on collecting such pebbles and small pieces and eventually sold it to a Laholi trader, by whom it was taken to Shimla, where its value was recognized. Enquiries were then made, which resulted in the discovery of spot where the Shikari had picked up the stone. According to another story, a no. of traders in Shimla from Padder were emptying their baskets in a merchant's shop - when a stone fell out and it was thrown by the merchant into the street. A well known jeweller who happened to be pass by that lane at the time was awe-struck to see the unique stone. Picking it up, perhaps with the intention of returning it, he saw that it was, he bought if for a small sum. The merchant then demanded more such blue pebbles from the traders of Paddar. The news reached Machail, a village ten kilometer away from the mine where from the Bhots of Machail joined the trade. They continued to collect the small pieces and pebbles all alone and disposed it off in exchange of articles of daily use. Even half a kg of Sapphire used to be sold at Rs. 1 at that time.
When the news reached Maharaja Ranbir Singh in Jammu, he immediately took measures to protect the mine. In 1882 and 1883 A.D. the working of the mine yielded 72,207 tolas (nearly 8,66,484 grams) i.e. 8 quintals, 66 kg and 484 grams. These were sold to a merchant for four lakh rupees. Sapphire turned out to be costliest blue glittering stone in the world market for which Padder earned name and fame.
The mining activity began in a big way in 1885. In the year 1887, the Maharaja Ranbir Singh found that the revenue from the mines, which had been obtained by them with considerable profit since the first discovery, was steadily diminishing. So he requested the Government of India for a Geologist to examine the mine. The Geologist examined it and subsequently the extraction of Sapphire improved to some extent. During working session of 1888 i.e. from 17th July to the 29th September, the total quantity of corundum obtained was 1630 tolas of which probably one fourth was commercially valuable. The mining activity ended in a big way in 1890. The gems mined during this period fetched enormous prices for the Government.
Like other industries in J&K, Sapphire mining too received a setback during 1989, when violence erupted in the valley. Owing to their location, the mines became no go area for authorities. Nobody knew what on in mines during the turbulent 1990s. Finally, when a Government team visited the mine in 1998, they were shocked to find rampant illegal mining. The miscreants had used cruide devices, even detonations to remove the prized gems, there by causing considerable damage to the infrastructure at the mines.
There is considerable moisture in the area because of the enormous heights. This area remains considerably under the clouds when monsoon attacks the plains. Average temperature during the working season of July to September remains around 5 degree to 10 degree C during the day and almost minus 1-2 degree C during night. However, in the mine, the temperature is always minus 2-10 degree C.
Sapphire is a Greek word meaning blue. Kashmir Sapphire is known as king of Sapphires. The brilliance exhibited by it as of a rare quality and fetches the highest possible price per carat. Its deep blue colour with cornflower tinge is its specific colour characteristic.
The velvety touch called as mercurial colour resembles to the neck of a peacock; which provides the only discernible characteristics of the stone from rest of the world. The majority of the crystals ranging from 0.8 inches to 1.5 inches in length are very much transparent, but, the crystals, which are beyond two inch in length, are mostly opaque and translucent. The hardness of the Sapphire is nine as per the Moh's scale of hardness. The Sapphire crystals are usually embedded in the fine matrix of kaolin transversing the pegmatite vein. The Padder Sapphire under microscope shows that they are uniaxial in nature. They depict negative characters. A variety having satellite opalescence when viewed in the direction of vertical axis.
Sapphires are commonly used as jewellery. Because of remarkable hardness of Sapphires, it is used in some non-ornamental applications, including infrared optical components such as scientific instruments, small durability windows, wristwatch crystals, very thin electronic wafers, which are used as insulting substrates of very special purpose solid - state electronics (most of which are integrated circuits).
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