3.55 Ct. Blue Sapphire from Ceylon (Sri Lanka)

There are gemstones that tell stories and gemstones that carry entire traditions, and this 3.55 carat cushion shape blue sapphire from Ceylon belongs unmistakably to the latter. Sourced from the legendary deposits of Sri Lanka, this transparent sapphire measures 9.31 by 8.33 by 5.07 millimeters, and bears a mixed brilliant cut that marries classical form with modern optical precision. At eye level it is graded very slightly included, a clarity that allows the gem to remain visually clean while retaining the natural character that collectors admire. Its vivid color intensity and excellent polish create an immediate presence, a deep and lively blue that seems to hold both ocean and sky within a single stone. The enhancement listed is heat treated, a longstanding and accepted practice that enhances tone and saturation while preserving the intrinsic beauty and integrity of the crystal. In the hands of The Natural Sapphire Company this sapphire is presented not only as a gem but as a link to an enduring heritage, a piece ready to become part of a family legacy.

The mixed brilliant cut used on this cushion sapphire is instrumental to its singular brilliance, and understanding that cut explains why this gem stands apart from more common stones. A mixed brilliant cut combines the broad, color enhancing facets of a step cut with the scintillating, light returning facets of a brilliant cut, producing both depth of hue and lively sparkle. When light enters this sapphire it is coaxed to linger within its vivid blue planes, bouncing through polished facets before returning to the eye as flashes of saturated color and crisp scintillation. By contrast, many more common blue gemstones such as blue topaz and aquamarine often rely on pale, watery tones and lack the same degree of color saturation. Diamonds offer intense fire and dispersion, which is the prism like splitting of white light into spectral colors, and diamonds will therefore exhibit more overt sparkle or fire. This sapphire, however, provides a different and rare kind of brilliance, one rooted in color and contrast rather than spectral fire. Against more everyday stones it stands out because of its depth, its velvety flashes of blue, and its ability to appear both luminous and substantial in size, making a 3.55 carat cushion appear larger and more commanding than many stones of similar weight.

The provenance of this gem adds another layer of significance, because Ceylon sapphires have been coveted for centuries by monarchs, explorers, and connoisseurs. Sri Lankan sapphires are renowned for their clarity and their capacity to display intense and pure blue tones, and this stone exemplifies those qualities. Historically Ceylon sapphires were traded along ancient routes that linked culture and craft, and their names were carried into court chronicles and family annals. Today the same qualities that made these gems treasured in antiquity are sought after by discerning collectors who appreciate both the aesthetic and the narrative value of a fine sapphire. The very slightly included clarity grade is a testament to the gem being natural and authentic, with internal features that confirm its geological origin rather than detract from its beauty. With its excellent polish and expert cutting, the stone is ready to be set into an heirloom piece that will endure, because sapphire is second only to diamond in hardness, and that durability makes it ideal for pieces that are worn and cherished across generations.

At The Natural Sapphire Company we present this cushion blue sapphire as more than a purchase, it is an invitation to join a lineage of taste that values provenance, craftsmanship, and lasting beauty. Imagine this 3.55 carat gem set as a solitaire ring that showcases the mixed brilliant cut, or as the heart of a classic three stone design that pairs its vivid blue with warm accent diamonds to heighten contrast and presence. For those who prize color above all, its vivid color intensity will command attention in any lighting, and for those who seek a balance of sparkle and substance, the mixed brilliant cut will reward the eye with both scintillation and a deep, enduring glow. Our gem specialists have carefully evaluated its dimensions, cut, clarity, color, polish, and treatment, and we stand ready to advise on settings that preserve and display its finest traits. This sapphire is an emblem of timeless elegance, an exceptional example of Ceylon origin that will continue to speak to future generations, and The Natural Sapphire Company is honored to offer it to a collector who understands the value of history, rarity, and refined brilliance.