1.18 Ct. Blue Sapphire from Ceylon (Sri Lanka)

From the ancient alluvial beds of Ceylon where rivers have whispered over gem-bearing gravels for millennia, this blue sapphire began its life deep within time and earth, a patient crystallization of aluminum and trace elements that would one day become a jewel. In the hands of our trusted local contacts and miners in Sri Lanka, a rough crystal was carefully identified and selected for its unusually pure body and potential to deliver a rich face-up color. At The Natural Sapphire Company we place great importance on provenance and story, and this stone carries the quiet legacy of Ceylon sapphires, a lineage that has long been prized for clarity and distinctive blue hues. What sets this particular gem apart from the multitude of sapphires that pass through our workshops is its combination of scale and saturation. Many stones of similar 1.0 to 1.5 carat range show an attractive color but lack the depth and evenness found here. This sapphire is rare because it presents a saturated, intense blue at a wearable, elegant 1.18 carat weight, a sweet spot that is scarce among comparable Ceylon material.

When you examine the gem itself, its measurements narrate the precision of its shaping, 6.56 by 5.61 by 3.07 millimeters, a perfectly proportioned cushion whose mixed brilliant cut balances sparkle and color. The mixed brilliant pavilion feeds light back into the crown facets, producing scintillation while preserving the rich body color that defines its character. Transparency is exceptional, allowing light to pass through and reveal the internal life of the stone, while the clarity at an evaluated eye level is described as very very slightly included. These inclusions are minute and do not detract from the gem’s face-up appearance. With an excellent polish, the girdle and facets reflect light with a satiny, refined finish, giving each movement of the hand a lively response. The color intensity is marked as intense, a deep velvety blue that reads as regal and saturated under white light, and the overall presentation is one of confident, compact beauty rather than a diluted or washed tone that often accompanies sapphires in this size bracket.

The lapidary journey that transformed the rough into this cushion sapphire is both technical and artistic, a dialogue between cutter and crystal that sought to honor the stone’s natural strengths. Heat treatment was applied as a thoughtful, standard enhancement to stabilize and intensify the color. This is a long-established practice for Ceylon sapphires, undertaken to coax the truest potential from the material, and it yields a permanent improvement in hue and saturation. The mixed brilliant cut was chosen to capture the gem’s clarity and to maximize light return without compromising the stone’s rich color. In comparison to other options on the market, a gem of this weight and shape often sacrifices either color depth or clarity. It is uncommon to find a 1.18 carat cushion with such a saturated, evenly distributed blue that remains transparent and eye-clean. Collectors and connoisseurs will recognize the rarity of a stone that harmonizes size, color, and clarity so effectively, making it a standout choice for those who value refined presence over mere carat chasing.

As a treasured focal point for a custom commission or an intimate engagement ring, this sapphire translates beautifully into jewelry. Photographs showing the gem on a hand illustrate its elegant scale, sitting with confidence on a finger without overwhelming proportion. The deep blue will perform superbly in a variety of settings, from a vintage-inspired halo that amplifies the stone’s depth to a sleek solitaire that showcases the cushion silhouette and intense color. Sapphire’s inherent hardness ensures it will withstand daily wear, making this piece practical as well as precious. At The Natural Sapphire Company we often pair stones like this with warm or cool metal palettes to either contrast the blue or harmonize with it, and bespoke mounting options can accentuate the stone’s cushion lines and mixed brilliance. For someone seeking a center that reads as both intimate and remarkable, this sapphire offers a rare, wearable size combined with color that reads like a larger stone.

Owning this sapphire is an invitation to carry a piece of Ceylon’s geological narrative and artisan tradition into your life. It is a gem for the thoughtful buyer who appreciates rarity in subtlety, the kind of rarity that lies in a perfect conjunction of carat, hue, clarity, and cut. We at The Natural Sapphire Company take pride in curating and presenting stones with clear provenance and honest descriptions, and this cushion blue sapphire exemplifies that commitment. If you are drawn to the deep, intense blue and are looking for a gem that is both unusually saturated for its weight and impeccably finished, this stone warrants consideration as an heirloom that will age gracefully. Please reach out to our team for further details, to request additional images, or to discuss bespoke mounting options, and allow us to guide you through making this rare Ceylon sapphire your own.