Ceylon blue sapphires, originating from Sri Lanka, are renowned for their exceptional quality and unique characteristics that set them apart from sapphires found in other parts of the world. These precious gemstones are highly sought after by collectors and jewelry enthusiasts alike, commanding premium prices due to their vivid color, purity, and rarity.
Factors Influencing Ceylon Blue Sapphire Prices
1.Color: Ceylon blue sapphires are prized for their naturally occurring vivid blue hue, which is a result of the perfect balance of titanium and iron in the corundum crystal1. The intensity and purity of the blue color are the most important factors in determining the value of a Ceylon sapphire.
2.Clarity: These sapphires are known for their high clarity, with minimal inclusions or blemishes visible to the naked eye. Stones with excellent clarity are much rarer and more valuable than those with visible inclusions.
3.Cut: A well-executed cut enhances the brilliance and fire of a Ceylon blue sapphire, maximizing its beauty and value. Skilled cutters ensure that the stone's proportions are optimized to showcase its natural color and clarity.
4.Carat Weight: As with most gemstones, the price per carat of a Ceylon blue sapphire increases exponentially with its size. Larger stones, especially those above 5 carats, are extremely rare and can fetch prices ranging from $10,000 to $135,000 per carat for the finest quality.
5.Rarity: Sri Lanka has the highest density of gem stones compared to land mass than any country in the world. The rarity of exceptional Ceylon blue sapphires, particularly those that are unheated and untreated, contributes significantly to their high value.
Unique Characteristics of Ceylon Blue Sapphires
1.Vivid Blue Color: Ceylon blue sapphires are renowned for their naturally occurring vivid blue color, which is a result of the perfect balance of titanium and iron in the corundum crystal. This color is highly prized and difficult to replicate in other sapphire sources.
2.Purity: These sapphires are known for their high clarity, with minimal inclusions or blemishes visible to the naked eye. Their purity adds to their overall beauty and value.
3.Density: Sri Lanka has the highest density of gem stones compared to land mass than any country in the world1. This high concentration of sapphires contributes to their rarity and value.
4.Unheated and Untreated: Unheated and untreated Ceylon blue sapphires are extremely rare, with only about 1-2% of all sapphires on the market being completely natural5. These stones are much more valuable than those that have undergone heat treatment or other enhancements.
Blue sapphire color chart and the different colors of sapphire
Blue sapphires come in a range of hues and intensities, from light teal to dark blue, influenced by the presence of titanium and iron within them. The various shades of blue sapphires include pastel, cornflower, peacock, velvet, royal, indigo, and twilight. Blue sapphires symbolize loyalty, focus, and creativity, making them popular choices for alternative engagement rings.Apart from blue sapphires, sapphires occur in a spectrum of colors such as pink, yellow, green, purple, and more. Pink sapphires, attributed to trace amounts of chromium, are associated with love and compassion. Yellow sapphires, arising from iron, range from pale corn yellow to canary yellow, symbolizing joy, wisdom, and wealth. Green sapphires, also due to iron content, vary from pale to dark green, often with undertones of blue, yellow, or brown, symbolizing nature and harmony.The color variations in sapphires are a result of the presence of different trace elements in the base mineral corundum, giving rise to a diverse palette of hues and tones. Each color of sapphire carries its own symbolism and significance, making sapphires a versatile and meaningful choice for jewelry and gemstone enthusiasts
In conclusion, Ceylon blue sapphires are truly unique gemstones that captivate with their unparalleled beauty and value. Their vivid color, purity, and rarity make them highly sought after by collectors and jewelry enthusiasts worldwide