Deep, rich and velvety
Royal blue
A deep, saturated blue with a hint of violet. Royal blue is the most sought-after shade and fine stones are rare.
Best for Engagement rings and statement pieces
Natural · Certified · From Sri Lanka
Ceylon Blue Sapphires
Sri Lanka has been famous for its sapphires for more than two thousand years. Our family works in the island's gem trade, and we offer natural Ceylon blue sapphires to travellers and buyers worldwide. Every stone comes with a gemstone certificate.
- Natural Ceylon sapphire
- Certificate with every stone
- Photos & video before you buy
- Buy from anywhere
- 2,000+ years
- of Sri Lankan sapphire trade
- 9 Mohs
- hardness, second only to diamond
- 7 types
- of blue sapphire to choose from
- 1 certificate
- with every stone we sell
The island of gems
Why Ceylon sapphires are famous
Sri Lanka is one of the world's oldest sources of fine sapphire. Ancient travellers and traders wrote about the island's gems, and the town of Ratnapura, whose name means 'city of gems', is still at the centre of the trade. Gems are found in gravel layers called illam, often dug by hand from small pits, washed in woven baskets and sorted by eye.
Ceylon sapphires are known for their bright, lively blue. Compared with sapphires from some other sources, many Sri Lankan stones are lighter and more vivid, and they keep their sparkle in all kinds of light. Some of the world's best-known sapphires, such as the Blue Belle of Asia, came from Sri Lanka.
Ratnapura
Found in Sri Lanka
Types of blue sapphire from Ceylon
Sri Lanka's gem fields produce sapphires in every shade of blue. Here are the main types we offer and can source for you. Choose the one you love and ask us for available stones.
Soft, medium blue
Cornflower blue
A gentle, velvety medium blue named after the cornflower, prized for its soft glow in every light.
Best for Classic rings and pendants
Bright and lively
Ceylon blue
The bright, medium-light blue Sri Lanka is famous for, full of sparkle and life, especially in daylight.
Best for Everyday rings, earrings and pendants
Blue with a purple glow
Violet-blue
Many Sri Lankan sapphires show a subtle violet tint that adds warmth and depth to the blue.
Best for Pendants and distinctive rings
Delicate sky blue
Light & pastel blue
Soft sky-blue and pastel shades. Light and fresh, often more affordable, and lovely in modern designs.
Best for Stacking rings and earrings
Six-rayed star
Star blue sapphire
Cut as a smooth dome, these stones show a six-rayed star that glides across the surface under a single light.
Best for Collectors and men's rings
Blue to purple
Colour-change sapphire
A rare variety that looks blue in daylight and turns purple under warm indoor light. Sri Lanka is one of its sources.
Best for Collectors and unique pieces
Our sourcing service
Can't see your perfect blue?
Tell us the shade, shape, size and budget you have in mind, and we'll search Sri Lanka's gem market for you and send a shortlist to compare.
Sri Lanka also produces sapphires in other colours: the rare pink-orange padparadscha, pink, yellow, purple and white (colourless) sapphire. Ask us if you're looking for a particular colour.
- Padparadscha
- Pink
- Yellow
- Purple
- White
Why travellers trust us
Certified sapphires, bought the honest way
Buying a gem abroad should feel safe. Here's how we make it simple and trustworthy.
A family gem business
Sapphires are part of our family's work in Sri Lanka's gem trade, alongside the tours we run for travellers.
Certificate with every stone
Every sapphire comes with a gemstone certificate recording its identity, weight, measurements and treatment information.
See it before you decide
Clear photos and videos in natural light, a video call, or a viewing in person during your trip.
Price agreed in writing
One clear price for the stone you choose, with payment and delivery confirmed in writing before you pay.
No pressure, ever
No surprise shop stops on your tour and no pushy selling. Take your time; it's your decision.
Honest advice
We'll tell you plainly what a stone is and isn't, including heated or unheated, so you can compare with confidence.
A buyer's guide
How to choose a blue sapphire
01
Colour
Colour matters most. Look for an even, saturated blue that is neither too dark nor too pale. Compare stones in daylight and in indoor light.
02
Clarity
Most natural sapphires contain tiny inclusions, which are part of their character. Choose a stone that looks clean and lively to the eye.
03
Cut
A good cut gives brilliance and even colour. Ceylon sapphires are often cut in oval and cushion shapes, as well as round, pear and emerald cuts.
04
Carat weight
Larger fine stones are much rarer. A well-coloured smaller stone often looks better than a larger stone with weak colour.
05
Treatment
Many sapphires worldwide are heated to improve their colour, a long-accepted practice. Unheated stones are rarer. The certificate states what is known about the stone's treatment.
Gemstone certificateSample layout
- Identification
- Natural sapphire
- Species
- Corundum
- Weight
- — ct
- Shape & cut
- Oval, mixed cut
- Measurements
- — × — × — mm
- Colour
- Blue
- Treatment
- As tested
Each stone's own certificate shows its actual details.
Buy with confidence
Every sapphire comes with a certificate
Every sapphire we sell comes with a gemstone certificate (identification report) so that you know exactly what you are buying. The report typically records:
- Identification: natural sapphire (corundum)
- Carat weight and measurements
- Shape and cutting style
- Colour description
- Treatment information, such as whether heat treatment was detected
- A photograph of the stone
We go through the certificate with you before you decide, and it stays with the stone.
Our sourcing service
Tell us your dream sapphire, and we'll find it
Looking for something specific, such as a certain shade, size, shape or budget? Tell us what you have in mind, and we'll search the Sri Lankan gem market for you through our family's trade contacts. We'll send you the best stones we find to compare.
- 1
Describe your dream sapphire
Choose the shade, shape, size and budget below, or simply describe it to us on WhatsApp.
- 2
We search for you
We look through stones available to us in Sri Lanka and shortlist the ones that truly match.
- 3
Compare your shortlist
You receive photos, videos and the details of each stone, and we answer every question honestly.
- 4
Certified and delivered
Choose your stone, receive its certificate, and agree payment and delivery in writing, or collect it during your trip.
Travelling with us?
See sapphires during your Sri Lanka trip
We can arrange a relaxed, no-obligation viewing during your tour. If you're curious about where the stones come from, we can also include Ratnapura, the island's traditional gem town, in your route. It's entirely optional: gem visits are never added to your trip unless you ask.
Buying gems safely in Sri Lanka
- Always ask for a gemstone certificate and check that its details, such as weight, shape and measurements, match the stone.
- Look at stones in natural daylight as well as under shop lights.
- Take your time. A good seller never pushes you to decide on the spot.
- Get a written receipt that describes the stone and the price paid.
- Be cautious of strangers offering 'special prices' or 'export deals' on the street.
- On your tour, gem visits are never included unless you ask for them.
Your sapphire
Order your Ceylon sapphire
Pick the shade and shape you love, add the size and budget, and send it to us on WhatsApp. We'll reply with photos, videos and certificate details of matching stones, or source one for you. There's no obligation.
- Natural Ceylon sapphire
- Certificate with every stone
- Price and delivery agreed in writing
Prefer to just chat? WhatsApp +94 76 699 3334
Ceylon blue sapphire: frequently asked questions
Are your blue sapphires natural?
Yes. We sell natural sapphires from Sri Lanka. Each stone's certificate confirms its identity and records what is known about any treatment, such as heating.
Does every sapphire come with a certificate?
Yes. Every stone we sell comes with a gemstone certificate describing its identity, weight, measurements, colour and treatment information.
Can I buy a sapphire without travelling to Sri Lanka?
Yes. Message us on WhatsApp with what you're looking for. We'll send photos and videos of suitable stones, go through the certificate with you, and agree payment and delivery in writing.
Can I see sapphires during my tour?
Yes, if you'd like to. We can arrange a relaxed viewing during your trip with no obligation to buy. Gem visits are never added to your route unless you ask.
What is the difference between heated and unheated sapphire?
Heating is a long-established treatment that can improve a sapphire's colour and clarity, and many sapphires on the market are heated. Unheated stones with fine colour are rarer and usually more valuable. The certificate states what is known about the stone's treatment.
Which blue is the best?
It depends on your taste. Royal blue is the deepest and most sought-after, cornflower blue is soft and velvety, and Ceylon blue is bright and lively. We'll send you examples so you can compare.
How much does a blue sapphire cost?
Prices vary widely with colour, clarity, cut, carat weight and treatment, so we quote each stone individually. Tell us your budget and we'll show you the best stones within it.
Is sapphire good for an engagement ring?
Yes. At 9 on the Mohs hardness scale, sapphire is durable enough for daily wear, which is why it's a popular choice for engagement rings.
Can you set the sapphire into jewellery?
Ask us about setting your stone into a ring, pendant or earrings. We can also supply loose stones for your own jeweller.
Where do Ceylon sapphires come from?
Most come from the gem-bearing gravels around Ratnapura in south-west Sri Lanka, and from other gem areas on the island.
Can you find a specific sapphire for me?
Yes. Tell us the shade, shape, size and budget you have in mind, and we'll search the Sri Lankan gem market for suitable stones and send you a shortlist to compare.
Do I have to buy after you search?
No. There's no obligation. If nothing on the shortlist is right, you don't have to buy.
Looking for the perfect blue?
Tell us the colour, size and budget you have in mind, and we'll show you certified Ceylon sapphires that fit.