1.27 Ct. Blue Sapphire from Ceylon (Sri Lanka)

Sapphires have been treasured through the ages for their depth of color and association with wisdom, royalty, and enduring love. This emerald cut, Ceylon sapphire from The Natural Sapphire Company carries that same lineage, a gem that would have felt at home in the treasure vaults of ancient courts as readily as it sits beautifully in a modern jeweler’s atelier. At 1.27 carats and measuring 7.76 by 5.11 by 3.02 millimeters, this transparent, emerald cut blue sapphire displays a vivid color intensity and an excellent polish, qualities that speak to both natural beauty and careful human hands. Its clarity is described as very very slightly included when evaluated at eye level, a testament to the stone’s exceptional transparency and eye appeal. The gem has been heat treated, a traditional and widely accepted enhancement that refines and stabilizes color, and its origin of Ceylon, Sri Lanka, ties it to one of the world’s most storied sapphire sources, known historically for producing sapphires of remarkable cornflower and vivid blue tones.

The emerald or step cut of this sapphire is inherently classical, a cut that became popular centuries ago and later found renewed favor during the clean, linear aesthetics of the Art Deco era. The long, broad table and parallel step facets of this cut emphasize color and clarity over scintillation, creating a window into the stone where the vivid blue seems to saturate and glow from within. Because the cut presents large, planar facets, it showcases the gem’s even tone and vivid saturation while the excellent polish ensures crisp facet lines and a mirror-like finish. The stone’s proportions create a refined rectangular silhouette that flatters the hand, offering an elegant, elongated profile when set in a ring or a pendant. The combination of Ceylon origin, vivid blue coloration, and the deliberate geometry of the emerald cut results in a conserving, timeless presence, a jewel that reads as both antique and contemporary depending on its setting.

When considering a custom piece that complements this sapphire, classical pairings and carefully chosen contrasts both work beautifully. For a traditional engagement ring, imagine the center emerald cut sapphire flanked by two tapered baguette diamonds set in platinum, a composition that channels the Art Deco spirit and lets the blue center breathe against the neutral brilliance of the diamonds. A halo of small brilliant round diamonds will add a frame of light and make the vivid blue appear even deeper, ideal for a pendant where the halo captures and multiplies daylight. For a softer, warmer aesthetic, 18 karat yellow gold provides a striking contrast, the warm metal accentuating the sapphire’s cool depth and evoking vintage heirlooms. Rose gold offers a romantic alternative, softening the overall palette and lending a more contemporary, feminine feel. Consider pairing the sapphire with smaller cornflower or royal blue sapphires of subtly different tones to create an ombré effect down a ring shank, or use calibrated step-cut sapphires alongside tapered diamonds for a long, elegant dress ring or bracelet design. For a more unexpected palette, small, warm-toned gemstones such as padparadscha sapphires or peach spinel can create a delicate complementary contrast, while aquamarine or teal tourmaline accents can form a cool, tonal ensemble that celebrates blue in its many historic variations.

This sapphire’s classic shape and ideal proportions lend themselves to a variety of bespoke designs beyond the ring, each reflecting the gem’s timeless story. In a three-stone ring, triangular or kite-shaped side stones will echo the rectilinear geometry, giving the piece a noble, sculptural quality. As a pendant, set in a bezel for daily wear or suspended in a low-profile prong setting for elegance, the stone becomes a modern talisman that recalls centuries of sapphire lore. For those seeking a distinctly period look, an Art Deco setting with channel-set step-cut diamonds and filigree details will emphasize the sapphire’s rectangular lines and historical character. The Natural Sapphire Company is happy to help you visualize these options through sketches and CAD renderings, and to select complementary stones, such as near-colorless diamonds for pure contrast, gently colored sapphires for tonal harmony, or subtle colored gemstones for a bespoke narrative. Our workshop can advise on metal choice to balance durability and aesthetic, with platinum and 18 karat white gold preserving the cool clarity of the blue, and yellow or rose gold offering warmer, more vintage-forward presentations.

Fine gemstones are as much about provenance and story as they are about visual beauty, and this Ceylon sapphire encapsulates both, carrying the heritage of Sri Lanka’s gem fields and the timeless language of classical cutting. At The Natural Sapphire Company we celebrate that history while crafting settings that will pass gracefully from one generation to the next. If you are considering this emerald cut sapphire as the heart of a custom engagement ring, a statement pendant, or a pair of refined cufflinks, we welcome you to consult with our design team. We can discuss setting options that honor the gem’s vivid color and clarity, provide detailed renderings, and guide you on care and maintenance to ensure the stone remains as lustrous and meaningful as the day it is set. This sapphire is more than a gem, it is a piece of living tradition, ready to become part of a new story.