Changle in Shandong Province is one of the main producing areas of sapphire. This paper deals comprehensively with the characteristics of Shandong star sapphire and the mechanism governing the starlight and light spot exhibited at the surface of the Shandong star sapphires. The authors listed the varieties of needlelike inclusions and expounded the special characteristics of Shandong star sapphires, such as the composite luster, the weak magnetism and the newly-discovered color-causing ions. Discussion was also given to the luminescence of Shandong sapphire, the discovery of the elements which cause color variation of Shandong yellow sapphire in different lights and the classification, gradation and evaluation principles of this kind of sapphire.