2.16 Ct. Blue Sapphire from Ceylon (Sri Lanka)

This blue sapphire began its journey deep within the ancient metamorphic rocks of Ceylon, where heat and pressure over millions of years coaxed aluminum and trace elements into this crystalline form. From those layered deposits our experienced field teams sought out rough material that carried a lively blue, stones that once cleaned and cut would tell a story of place and time. In Sri Lanka sapphire is more than a mineral, it is woven into the island’s history and folklore, a gem that has long been prized for its luminous blues and connection to the sea and sky. When this particular rough arrived at our cutting studio the decision was made to honor its inherent color and clarity, shaping it into a cushion form that would both preserve weight and reveal the depth of tone that Ceylon sapphires are renowned for. At The Natural Sapphire Company we document and care for every step of that journey, ensuring that provenance is part of the gem’s identity and that the hands that touch it are guided by generations of cutting knowledge.

Cut and polish transformed the rough into a transparent 2.16 carat cushion sapphire, with dimensions of 7.58 by 6.48 by 4.42 millimeters, a mixed brilliant facet arrangement that marries broad table reflections with lively scintillation from the pavilion. The very very slightly included clarity, evaluated at eye level, allows the blue to read as a pure, vivid presence without distracting blemishes, and the excellent polish gives every facet a mirror finish that returns light to the viewer. This sapphire has been heat treated, a traditional and widely accepted enhancement that refines color and internal clarity, and the process was performed with care to preserve the gem’s natural character rather than obscure it. The cushion silhouette softens the geometry, offering a classic, wearable shape that sits with dignity on the finger, while the mixed brilliant cut brings out a balance of large, velvety flashes and smaller scintillating points of light, creating a personality that is both deep and lively.

When comparing reflective qualities, sapphires of the corundum family have a clarity of expression that is distinct from many other blue gemstones, and this Ceylon stone exemplifies that distinction. Within the family of sapphires, regional differences matter. Kashmir sapphires are often celebrated for a uniquely velvety, diffuse light due to their silk inclusions, which can soften reflections into a glowing, almost nebular luminosity. Burmese sapphires tend to show a richer, more saturated royal blue, with light returning in strong, rounded flashes. Ceylon sapphires like this one frequently display a brighter, more electric kind of blue, with lively reflections that sparkle across the table rather than staying muted. Compared to spinel, which can exhibit excellent brilliance and a clean, transparent look, corundum often shows more depth of color and a subtle pleochroism that lets the stone shift between blue tones as it moves. Compared to tanzanite, this sapphire demonstrates greater durability and a different kind of luster, tanzanite being softer and more violet leaning with broader flashes but less overall resistance to wear. Blue topaz can offer bright, icy clarity, but it lacks the depth and refractive character of sapphire, returning light in a more uniform, glassy way. And while diamond remains the unsurpassed master of fire and dispersion, sapphire brings a denser, richer light return that reads as color saturated brilliance rather than as spectral fire, making it especially compelling for colored stone settings where hue and depth are the primary desirables.

Choosing this sapphire is choosing a gem that carries both story and practicality, a stone ready for a setting that will reveal its best qualities at every turn. Set as a solitaire ring the cushion shape will offer a classic yet contemporary presence, the mixed brilliant facets throwing lively flashes when catching the sun or the soft glow of evening light. For those who appreciate provenance, this sapphire’s Ceylon origin and its careful, documented cutting and treatment history are part of the appeal, and at The Natural Sapphire Company we stand behind the authenticity of every detail we present. Caring for this gem is straightforward, periodic cleaning with mild soap and warm water will maintain its polish and sparkle, and its robust hardness makes it ideal for daily wear when set with sensible protection in the mounting. If you seek a blue sapphire that speaks of place, time, and the refined touch of skilled cutters, this 2.16 carat cushion from Sri Lanka will answer with a vivid color, excellent polish, and a reflective character that sits beautifully among the finest of blue gems.