Ceylon Sapphires: A Detailed Guide for Collectors and Enthusiasts

Ceylon sapphires, now more commonly known as Sri Lankan sapphires, have long captivated gemstone collectors and jewelry lovers for their mesmerizing hues and exceptional clarity. Mined from the storied lands of Sri Lanka, formerly called Ceylon until 1972, these sapphires boast a rich legacy that dates back over two millennia. The island has been a premier source of sapphires since ancient times, with historical records indicating their export as early as the second century AD. Famed travelers like Marco Polo even marveled at the island’s gem wealth, and Ceylon’s blue sapphires have adorned royal courts for generations.

Today, they are celebrated not only for their vivid color range and velvety luster but also for their supposed metaphysical properties—believed to foster mental clarity, emotional calm, and loyalty in relationships. Among the most treasured in the gemstone world, Ceylon sapphires remain the centerpiece of many fine jewelry collections, with rings being particularly coveted. An example of their enduring appeal will be presented at Sotheby’s High Jewelry auction in Hong Kong on April 25, 2025—a rare, unheated Ceylon sapphire and diamond ring poised to attract discerning collectors worldwide.

The Geological Origin Of Ceylon Sapphires

Sri Lanka’s legacy as a source of sapphires spans more than 3,000 years, anchored by the gemstone-rich region of Ratnapura, aptly named the “City of Gems.” The country’s extraordinary geological makeup, particularly its abundance of Precambrian rock formations, is key to its mineral bounty. These ancient crystalline basement rocks—primarily granite, gneiss, and schist—date back over 540 million years and have fostered an environment ideal for gemstone formation. These unique conditions have allowed Sri Lanka to produce sapphires in remarkable quantity and quality, particularly the vibrant blue varieties that have made the island a cornerstone of the global sapphire trade. The island’s geological heritage ensures that its sapphires are not only beautiful but also geologically significant.

The Ceylon Sapphire Colors

While best known for their luminous blue hues, Ceylon sapphires are found in an impressive spectrum of colors. Their blue variants range from pale, ethereal sky blues to intense, deep royal blues. Among these, the cornflower blue shade is particularly prized for its soft yet vivid coloration. Beyond blue, Sri Lanka also produces sapphires in pink, yellow, orange, purple, and green, each with its own unique charm and appeal. Of particular note are the pink sapphires, beloved for their romantic and delicate tones, making them increasingly popular in modern fine jewelry.

Royalty and Royal Blue Ceylon Sapphires

Royal blue Ceylon sapphires hold a special place in both gemological and cultural history, coveted for their deep, velvety saturation and regal allure. Their value increases significantly with the richness and uniformity of color, often ranging from $4,500 to $15,500 per carat depending on size and quality. One of the most iconic royal blue Ceylon sapphires belonged to Princess Diana—a 12-carat oval gem set in white gold and encircled by diamonds, given to her by Prince Charles in 1981. The ring, inspired by a sapphire-and-diamond brooch originally gifted to Queen Victoria by Prince Albert in 1840, now graces the hand of Catherine, Princess of Wales, after Prince William used it to propose in 2010. Originally valued at $60,000, the ring’s worth today is estimated at over $600,000, a testament to the enduring appeal and prestige of royal blue Ceylon sapphires.

Cornflower Blue Ceylon Sapphires

Among the most coveted shades of blue, cornflower blue sapphires are distinguished by their medium to light tone with soft violet undertones—reminiscent of the cornflower bloom. This rare and enchanting hue has long been considered the epitome of blue sapphire beauty, offering a pure and vibrant aesthetic that captures light in extraordinary ways. Highly sought after by collectors and connoisseurs alike, these stones can range in price from approximately $2,320 to more than $6,000 per carat, depending on clarity, origin, and treatment status.

Colour Change Ceylon Sapphire

A color change Ceylon sapphire is a captivating rarity, known for its remarkable ability to shift hues under different lighting conditions. Typically, these gems may appear blue in daylight and violet or purplish under incandescent light. This optical effect is caused by trace elements like chromium and vanadium within the stone’s crystal lattice. Sri Lanka is one of the few regions that consistently yields high-quality color change sapphires, which are particularly valuable when the shift is pronounced and distinct. In 2023, Sotheby’s sold a stunning 91.70-carat color change Ceylon sapphire bracelet by JAR for nearly $700,000, highlighting the intense collector demand for these exceptional gems.

Padparadscha Ceylon Sapphires

Padparadscha sapphires—named from the Sinhalese word padmaraga, meaning “lotus blossom”—are among the rarest and most revered in the sapphire family. These exquisite stones are prized for their unique pink-orange coloration, which mirrors the delicate hues of a sunset or a lotus in bloom. Authentic Padparadscha sapphires exhibit an even blend of these tones, coupled with excellent clarity and brilliance. Due to their scarcity and desirability, prices range from around $1,000 to $6,000 per carat, with exceptional examples commanding significantly higher figures.

Pink Star sapphire ring — 40.84 Carats Pink Star Sapphire Ring

Star Ceylon Sapphires

Star sapphires, another mesmerizing variant from Sri Lanka, display an optical phenomenon known as asterism—a star-like pattern that appears to float across the surface of the stone when illuminated. This effect is caused by fine, needle-like inclusions of rutile, known as “silk,” which align within the crystal structure. Most commonly showing a six-rayed star, some rare specimens exhibit four or even twelve rays. These mystical stones are both visually and gemologically intriguing. One standout example is a 40.84-carat pink star Ceylon sapphire ring, which sold at Sotheby’s for approximately $99,000.

Natural Unheated Ceylon Sapphires

Natural, unheated Ceylon sapphires represent the pinnacle of rarity and desirability in the sapphire market. While heating is a common industry practice used to enhance color and clarity, unheated stones account for only about 1% of all sapphires in circulation. Their untouched nature means that their beauty is entirely the result of natural geological processes—a fact that appeals deeply to collectors and connoisseurs. At Sotheby’s, emphasis is placed on sourcing these rare, untreated stones due to their potential for long-term value and their intrinsic beauty. Though often double the price of their heated counterparts, their scarcity ensures enduring demand. One of the most significant sales in this category was a 102.61-carat cushion-cut unheated Ceylon sapphire necklace, which fetched $4.2 million in 2014.

An extraordinary example of this esteemed lineage will be featured in Sotheby’s upcoming High Jewelry auction in Hong Kong on 25 April 2025. Weighing 13.24 carats, this natural, unheated Ceylon sapphire and diamond ring is poised to be a highlight of the sale. Certified by the GIA, the sapphire captivates with its richly saturated, slightly violetish blue hue—hallmarks of the finest Sri Lankan origin. Set in platinum and framed by nearly 3 carats of brilliant and tapered baguette-cut diamonds, the ring exemplifies both rarity and refined craftsmanship. A masterpiece of natural beauty and enduring elegance, it offers collectors a truly extraordinary, heirloom-worthy treasure.

Ceylon sapphires have fascinated and inspired for millennia, prized by ancient civilizations and modern collectors alike. Their stunning natural colors, geological rarity, and storied royal associations make them not only beautiful but historically significant. From the ethereal cornflower blue and regal royal blue to the mystical star sapphires and elusive Padparadscha, these gemstones reflect a spectrum of elegance and character unmatched in the world of fine jewels. Whether heated or, more rarely, unheated, each Ceylon sapphire tells a story of earth’s deep past and humanity’s enduring admiration. For those seeking a gem of singular beauty and lasting value, there are few choices as iconic and enchanting as a Ceylon sapphire.

Advantages to Buying Ceylon Sapphires on the Secondary Market

There are many advantages to buying Ceylon sapphires at Sotheby's. As one of the largest and most established global luxury secondary markets, Sotheby's offers clients many unique advantages when growing a sapphire collection.

1. Access

Sotheby's is able to provide access to a curated selection of Ceylon sapphires from its long established global network of sellers. Sotheby's is a leading global marketplace that offers pristine sapphire jewelry in the most rare and collectible gemstones from an assortment of designers. Our jewelry specialists are always sourcing the most desirable sapphire jewels from collectors around the world. Sotheby's also sells incredible private collections that include one of a kind Ceylon sapphires.

2. Flexibility

Sotheby's provides multiple ways to purchase Ceylon sapphires including auction, online and in person in New York, Hong Kong, Paris and London. Sotheby's also offers a concierge service if you need assistance sourcing specific sapphire jewels that aren't available at auction or online.

3. Value

As a leading global secondary market, Sotheby's often provides great value for Ceylon sapphires. While Sotheby's regularly sells diamond jewelry over $600,000, many of these diamond jewels sell for below the original retail price. Signed diamond pieces can experience a 30 to 40% decrease from retail price to secondary market. Non-signed diamond pieces may fluctuate based on the current market price for the raw materials themselves. The discount varies depending on the jewelry's design, quality, size of the diamond and gem stones, and overall market conditions. Some diamond jewelry can also sell at a premium to the original retail, especially for one of a kind vintage designs, diamond jewelry with provenance linked to celebrities and/or royalty, and pieces featuring exceptionally rare diamonds and colored gem stones. Sotheby's is a great place to start collecting diamond jewelry. Sotheby's also provides seasoned collectors value for vintage diamond jewelry at prices that can be materially lower than retail replacement values.

4. Discovery

One of the best parts of a global luxury secondary market is discovering unique pieces from decades earlier and custom designed one of a kind sapphire jewelry pieces. Sotheby's curated selection changes regularly and each auction has a unique selection of sapphire jewelry. You are likely to discover something new to you.

Buy and Sell Ceylon Sapphire Jewelry at Sotheby's

Natural Ceylon Sapphires are rare and highly collectible gemstones. Ceylon sapphire rings are the most popular jewelry choice for highlighting the beauty of a single sapphire. Since Princess Diana’s famous royal blue Ceylon sapphire engagement ring, sapphires have also become a very popular engagement ring choice. Sotheby's also sources stunning necklaces, earrings, bracelets and brooches featuring natural Ceylon sapphires. Prices for Ceylon sapphire jewelry ranges from $10,000 to $100,000, depending on the size and quality of the sapphires, setting and provenance.

At Sotheby's, we have several ways to buy high-quality unheated Ceylon sapphire jewelry. We have jewelry auctions in New York, Geneva, Paris, and Hong Kong every year with a curated selection of Ceylon sapphire rings and other sapphire jewelry. Sotheby's also has a curated selection of high-quality unheated Ceylon sapphire jewelry available for immediate purchase.

Explore upcoming jewelry auctions in New York, London, Switzerland, Paris, and Hong Kong.
Contact a Salon Associate in New York or Hong Kong to schedule an appointment.
Speak to a Jewelry Specialist about selling a Ceylon Sapphire.

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