1.32 Ct. Blue Sapphire from Ceylon (Sri Lanka)

There are gemstones that shout with color, and there are gemstones that whisper with light, and this 1.32 carat oval blue sapphire from Ceylon Sri Lanka belongs to the latter category. For centuries Sri Lankan sapphires have been prized by royalty and collectors for their unique ability to combine clarity with a luminous, ethereal hue, qualities that made famous stones like the Star of India and other historic Ceylon examples the centerpieces of royal jewels. Measured at 7.55 by 5.50 by 3.60 millimeters, and fashioned in a refined mixed brilliant cut, this sapphire reads as an heirloom in the making. Its very very slightly included clarity at eye level and excellent polish allow light to travel through the stone with minimal interruption, producing a delicate, serene blue with very light color intensity that recalls the pale Mediterranean lakes depicted in classical paintings. Heat treated to gently deepen and stabilize its tone, this gem presents a subtlety that is both antique in spirit and thoroughly contemporary in its versatility.

When one contemplates the history of famous sapphires, the contrasts help to reveal this stone’s singular appeal. Kashmir sapphires are celebrated for their deep velvety cornflower blue, and Burmese sapphires are known for saturated, vivid tones that command attention. By contrast, the best Ceylon sapphires have always been prized for their clarity, scintillation, and lively, transparent blue, a quality that allowed them to sit beautifully in classical Georgian and Victorian settings where light and nuance were preferred over bold saturation. This 1.32 carat oval offers exactly that kind of refined presence. Its mixed brilliant cut combines the flattering outline of the oval with a faceting scheme that maximizes brilliance and fire, drawing the eye inward to the gem’s crystalline heart. In size it is modest compared to monumental stones like the Logan Sapphire, yet its proportions produce an elegant spread on the finger, allowing it to read larger than its weight might suggest when set as a solitaire or surrounded by a delicate halo. The excellent polish amplifies the stone’s whispering glow, and the very very slightly included clarity ensures that the gem remains lively and transparent under daylight and lamplight alike.

Beyond mere comparison to storied stones, this sapphire asserts its own place in the continuum of classic gems. Where the Stuart Sapphire commands the bold, historical gravitas of regal jewels, and the great star sapphires tell a story of rare asterism, this Ceylon oval speaks to a different story, the story of quiet elegance and enduring taste. Its very light color intensity makes it an ideal choice for designs that favor subtlety and layering, settings in which metalwork and design are elevated by a soft blue centerpiece that never competes with, but always complements, the wearer. For someone who values tradition and legacy, the gem echoes the restrained palettes of antique jewels, the pale blues often seen in royal portraiture and in the lockets and cameos passed down through generations. Because the stone has been heat treated, as is customary for many fine sapphires to reveal their best color and stability, it brings both beauty and practicality, a gem ready to enter a life of daily use or ceremonial wear without sacrificing its historical character.

At The Natural Sapphire Company we understand that choosing a gemstone is an act of stewardship, a decision to carry forward a fragment of earths history into new chapters of personal and familial narrative. This Ceylon blue sapphire, with its measured dimensions, mixed brilliant cut, transparent clarity, and softly luminous color, offers a timeless option for an engagement ring, a refined pendant, or a bespoke piece meant to become an heirloom. It invites the wearer to participate in a long tradition of tasteful adornment, an aesthetic that values provenance, craftsmanship, and the quiet power of a gem that speaks through light rather than volume. For collectors and lovers of classical design, this stone presents a rare balance, a piece that honors the storied past of sapphires while asserting its own, gentle presence in the jewelry of today.