5.17 Ct. Bi Color Sapphire from Ceylon (Sri Lanka)

From the ancient alluvial terraces of Ceylon, Sri Lanka, this sapphire began as a crystal of concentrated earth and time. Buried and born in a landscape that has produced some of the world most cherished sapphires, the rough was found in a seam that has whispered stories of trade caravans and sea borne merchants for centuries. As a gem specialist at The Natural Sapphire Company, I imagine the slow cooling of molten minerals, the precise dance of trace elements that gave this stone its bi color personality, and the patient hands of miners who gently recovered a piece of geology that would become a wearable memory. The material that emerged is transparent and generous, weighing 5.17 carat and measuring 11.12 x 8.79 x 4.62 mm. Its medium intense color intensity carries a dual presence that reads as both deep blue and a softer hue depending on light and angle, a signature that speaks of the island origin and the unique conditions under which it formed. This sapphire has been heat treated to refine and stabilize its tone, and it has been judged as slightly included at eye level, a quality that confirms natural origin while allowing the gem to shine freely. From that place of formation to our cutting tables, the stone began its journey toward becoming a centerpiece.

When the decision was made to fashion this crystal into an emerald cut, my colleagues and I focused on preserving weight, emphasizing clarity, and showcasing the bi color dynamic. The emerald cut is an elegant, architectural choice that complements the stone dimensions, and the long facets create a hall of mirrors effect that magnifies the depth and color transitions without compromising transparency. With an excellent polish, each facet interacts with light to reveal the internal story of the sapphire through flashes and planes rather than the scatter of brilliant cuts, which makes it a particularly expressive stone in larger formats. The 11.12 x 8.79 mm spread gives a commanding presence on the hand, and the 4.62 mm depth balances brilliance with a comfortable profile for bezel or prong settings. For custom jewelry this combination of size, shape, and clarity is ideal, because the sapphire is large enough to anchor a solitaire design yet refined enough to integrate into more intricate halos or three stone compositions. The slightly included clarity evaluated at eye level means that the gem reads clean and crystalline when set, and those natural characteristics are often celebrated in bespoke pieces for their evidence of origin and authenticity.

As you imagine this Ceylon sapphire becoming part of a personal story, consider the cultural resonance that comes with Sri Lankan stones, which have long been associated with protection, wisdom, and refined taste. At The Natural Sapphire Company we respect that narrative, and we use it to guide design conversations, suggesting settings that enhance both color and comfort. For a contemporary solitaire I might recommend a slim platinum or 18 karat white gold bezel to accentuate the coolness of the blue, or a warm 18 karat yellow gold prong mount to heighten the contrast between the two color zones. If you prefer a vintage inspired look, shared prong halos of small white diamonds will amplify the emerald cut facets and add a luminous frame without overwhelming the sapphire character. Because the gem has been heat treated, normal wear is expected to be stable, and we provide care recommendations to maintain its excellent polish and tone. I invite you to collaborate with us at The Natural Sapphire Company to create a custom design that honors the journey from Ceylon earth to crafted jewel, a piece that will carry the story of origin, the hand of the cutter, and the intention of its wearer for generations.