5.17 Ct. Blue Sapphire from Ceylon (Sri Lanka)

This blue sapphire began as a sliver of mineral deep in the island soils of Ceylon, Sri Lanka, where centuries of monsoon rains and shifting earth concentrated corundum into placid river gravels and pocketed veins. Generations of local miners learned to read the land with intuition and patience, following the telltale glint of blue among the pebbles, and it is from that same ground that this 5.17 carat cushion sapphire was lovingly brought to light. At The Natural Sapphire Company we work closely with trusted partners who honor the provenance of each find, and this gem carries with it the subtle story of the earth that birthed it. The GIA certification that accompanies this stone confirms its identity, weight and measured qualities, offering the assurance that its journey from Ceylon sands to a gemological report has been documented with rigorous care.

Once recovered, the rough sapphire passed into the hands of master cutters who understood that a great Ceylon stone reveals its true temperament only through restrained, thoughtful shaping. This gem was fashioned into a cushion shape with a mixed brilliant cut, a decision made to balance the stone’s vivid color intensity with a lively play of light. At 10.38 x 8.23 x 6.70 millimeters, and exhibiting an eye clean clarity when viewed at normal distances, the sapphire offers an ideal marriage of size and brilliance, a presence that reads as both substantial and elegant on the finger. The cutter emphasized pavilion faceting that deepens the blue, and an excellent polish that allows each facet to sing. To optimize color and clarity this sapphire was heat treated, a widely accepted enhancement that stabilizes and intensifies the natural hue while preserving the stone’s structural integrity. The result is a transparent, vivid blue gem that reflects both the ancient geological forces that made it and the modern skill that shaped it.

Beyond its physical characteristics this sapphire carries the weight of tradition and the resonance of cultural history, the same qualities that have made Ceylon sapphires coveted across continents and centuries. Historically, sapphires have been placed in crowns, offered as tokens of devotion, and worn as talismans for wisdom and protection, and many cultures have associated the deep blue of a sapphire with truth, sincerity and spiritual insight. Owning this stone means participating in that lineage, choosing a jewel that has been valued not only for its beauty but for its symbolic resonance. At The Natural Sapphire Company we can set this gem into a handcrafted ring that honors those traditions, whether you desire a classic solitaire that showcases the cushion form, a halo arrangement that amplifies its brilliance, or a bespoke design that tells your personal story. The GIA report travels with the gemstone, and our specialists are available to advise on settings that will protect the stone and enhance its presence. For someone seeking a piece that connects earth, craft and meaning, this 5.17 carat Ceylon blue sapphire offers a complete narrative, from the riverbeds of Sri Lanka to a finished jewel meant to be treasured for generations.