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Star Sapphire

A sapphire, the common name for the mineral corundum in its transparent blue form, sparkles. As seen here, some sapphires, when cut to a convex shape, exhibit a striking six-pointed star in direct sunlight. While sapphires are found in a few locations around the world, these "star" sapphires often originate in Sri Lanka.

Photograph by Doug Steley/Alamy