gems, corundum, India.12, Kashmir, sapphire

This paper surveys the historical, cultural, and economic significance of the blue sapphires of Padder (Paddar) in Kishtwar district, Jammu and Kashmir, popularly known in the gem trade as Kashmir sapphires. It describes the remote Himalayan location of the deposits and recounts traditions surrounding their discovery and nineteenth-century exploitation, including their association with the rulers of Jammu and Kashmir. The authors discuss the exceptional reputation and high commercial value attained by Padder sapphires, while emphasizing that their importance extends beyond gemological and economic considerations. Considerable attention is given to local traditions, religious and astrological beliefs, folklore, and the sapphire’s place in the cultural identity of the Padder region. The paper also discusses mining and attempts at exploitation of the deposits and argues for greater recognition of the gems specifically as “Padder sapphires” rather than solely under the broader Kashmir designation.