Mining
Sapphires are mined from alluvial deposits or from primary underground workings. The mining locations include Myanmar, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, Australia, Thailand, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tanzania, Kenya, and China.
The Logan sapphire, the Star of India, and the Star of Bombay originate from Sri Lankan mines. Madagascar is the world leader in sapphire production (as of 2007) specifically its deposits in and around the city of Ilakaka.
Prior to the opening of the Ilakaka mines, Australia was the largest producer of sapphires (such as in 1987). In 1991, a new source of sapphires was discovered in Andranondambo, southern Madagascar. That area has been exploited for its sapphires started in 1993, but it was practically abandoned just a few years later - because of the difficulties in recovering sapphires in their bedrock.
This kind of sapphire has been sold as the "Kashmir sapphire" in international markets.
In North America, sapphires have been mined mostly from deposits around Helena, Montana. A few gem-grade sapphires and rubies have also been found in the area of Franklin, N.C.