Throughout history, the blue sapphire has captured hearts and sparked imaginations. Its vibrant blue hues, association with royalty and nobility, and symbolic connections to wisdom, loyalty, and good fortune have solidified its status among the world's most coveted gemstones. As the celebrated birthstone for September, its significance extends from personal adornment to astrological tradition for its wearer.
Sri Lanka, formerly known as Ceylon, has long been globally renowned as a premier source of exceptional Ceylonese blue sapphires. The stone holds immense significance in Vedic astrology, where it is known as Neelam and is associated with the powerful planet Saturn (Shani). This connection adds a layer of mystique and cultural value to the blue sapphire. Neelam stones are believed to channel Shani's influence and are sought as protective and auspicious gemstones for the wearers, particularly for individuals whose zodiac signs resonate with Saturn's energy, including those with capricorn and aquarius zodiac signs.
For centuries, sapphires have symbolised royalty, wisdom, and spiritual truth. Their intense blue colour graced crowns and exquisite jewelry, in varying carat size making them treasured heirlooms and symbols of power. Whether viewed through the lens of astrology or admired for their timeless beauty, blue sapphires retain a mystique and significance that transcend their physical form.
Key Characteristics of Exceptional Blue Sapphires
The most desirable blue sapphires often originate from 3 classic locations: Ceylon (Sri Lanka), Kashmir (India), and Burma (Myanmar). Each source can produce gemstones in varying carat sizes with their distinctive qualities. Ceylonese sapphires span a vast spectrum of blues, from delicate pastels to rich, deep hues. Kashmiri sapphires are legendary for their velvety texture and intense, cornflower blue with a subtle violet undertone. Burmese sapphires are celebrated for their vivid, royal blue brilliance.
The colour of a blue sapphire is paramount to its desirability. These September birthstones are primarily prized for the depth and intensity of their colour. The most sought-after hues, such as cornflower blue and royal blue, are prized for their intensity and purity.
Blue Sapphires (Neelam) occur in a range of blue hues
In addition to colour, an exceptional blue sapphire must possess excellent clarity. Inclusions, or internal characteristics, can impact a sapphire's transparency and brilliance. The fewer and less visible the inclusions, the more valuable the gemstone. Sapphires are also skillfully faceted to maximise their light performance and showcase their captivating blue colour. In general, the best way to evaluate the quality of a blue sapphire is to consider its 4Cs and its origin.
The World's Most Famous Blue Sapphires
A blue sapphire gemstone is a true wonder of nature, a crystallised form of the mineral corundum - the same as yellow sapphires and rubies. These sapphires owe their dazzling blue color to trace elements within their structure. Let's explore 5 of the most celebrated blue sapphires in the world, each with its own captivating story.
1. The Blue Belle of Asia
Discovered in the gem-rich lands of Ceylon (Sri Lanka), renowned for its exceptional Ceylonese sapphires, the Blue Belle of Asia is a breathtaking masterpiece of nature. This cushion-cut Ceylon sapphire, weighing a remarkable 392.52 carats, captivated the world when it shattered records as the most expensive blue sapphire ever sold at auction. Its phenomenal carat size alone is awe-inspiring, but when combined with its mesmerising, vibrant blue color, it transcends mere value and becomes a true legend among gemstones.
The Blue Belle of Asia's journey from a Sri Lankan/Ceylon mine to its place in history holds a fascinating twist. Initially believed to be a gift for Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, on her coronation day in 1937, the sapphire subsequently vanished into private hands for several decades.
This unexpected trajectory adds a touch of mystery to the sapphire's story. Its colour is described as a rich, saturated blue, evoking the depths of the ocean or the vastness of a clear summer sky.
The Blue Belle of Asia now resides in a private jewelry collection, its owner's identity remaining a secret. The Blue Belle of Asia will forever be remembered as an extraordinary example of nature's artistry and a testament to Sri Lanka's enduring legacy as a source of the world's finest blue ceylon sapphires.
The Blue Belle of Asia Sapphire
2. The Logan Sapphire
Like its counterpart, the Blue Belle of Asia, the Logan Sapphire traces its roots to the prolific gem mines of Ceylon (Sri Lanka). This magnificent blue sapphire boasts an impressive carat size, weighing a remarkable 423 carats. Its sheer magnitude immediately commands attention, and its striking, deep blue hue solidifies its reputation as a true treasure.
Logan Sapphire's colour is described as richly saturated, reminiscent of a twilight sky. It is one of the largest faceted blue sapphires in the world, and rutile inclusions, commonly found inside Sri Lankan or Ceylonese sapphires, are visible within the gemstone. Its design is a mixed cushion cut (having a rounded rectangular shape) with a slightly rounded bottom to maximise its brilliance.
This remarkable sapphire found its permanent home in the prestigious halls of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. There, it continues to captivate visitors from around the world. The Logan Sapphire serves as a historical artefact, offering a glimpse into Sri Lanka's celebrated sapphire mining heritage.
The Logan Sapphire
3. The Star of India
The Star of India, hailing from the legendary mines of Ceylon (Sri Lanka), is a star sapphire of extraordinary wonder and historical intrigue. Unlike most blue sapphires, this magnificent gem is cut en cabochon, meaning it has a smooth, domed surface rather than facets. This cut is essential to reveal its most astonishing feature—asterism.
Asterism is an optical phenomenon where bands of light intersect within the sapphire, creating a mesmerising star-like pattern that appears to float across the gemstone's surface. But it's not just the asterism that makes this sapphire extraordinary; it also possesses an impressive size, weighing a substantial 563.35 carats.
The Star of India holds its place within the prestigious American Museum of Natural History, captivating visitors and researchers alike. Its journey to the museum, however, was marked by an audacious twist. In 1964, the sapphire was infamously stolen in a daring heist. Miraculously, it was recovered, adding to its historical significance and the aura of mystery that surrounds it.
The Star of India is a true marvel, embodying centuries of Sri Lanka's Ceylonese sapphire legacy. It is a testament to the artistry of nature; its asterism effect is a reminder of the hidden wonders that lie within the Earth's depths.
The Star of India Sapphire
4. The Rockefeller Sapphire
Unlike its Ceylonese counterparts, the Rockefeller Sapphire traces its origins to the rich gem deposits of Burma (Myanmar), a region renowned for producing sapphires of exceptional colour and quality. This sapphire is admired for its deep, saturated cornflower blue color, which is described as both intense and alluring. Its classic rectangular step-cut, with its clean lines and geometric appeal, highlights the vibrancy of the sapphire's colour. Weighing an impressive 62.02 carats, this sapphire possesses a substantial presence.
However, it's not just its inherent beauty and sheer carat weight that makes the Rockefeller Sapphire so desirable. This gemstone carries the prestige of a historical association with the renowned Rockefeller family. Originally purchased by John D. Rockefeller Jr., the stone reportedly came from the collection of the last Nizam of Hyderabad, the Indian Maharaja Mir Osman Ali Khan, who sold it in 1934.
Acknowledged for its superior quality and provenance, the Rockefeller Sapphire has graced the auction block multiple times. Most recently, in 2001, the sapphire was set into a beautiful ring that was ultimately sold, underscoring its unwavering desirability among gemstone connoisseurs and collectors worldwide. The Rockefeller Sapphire embodies the legacy of Burma's sapphire mines, the enduring allure of exceptional gemstones, and the historical prestige that accompanies such treasures.
The Rockefeller Sapphire
5. Blue Giant of the Orient
The "Blue Giant of the Orient" is a fascinating gem, recognized as the world's largest faceted blue sapphire, weighing an impressive 466 carats. Its intriguing history unfolds with mystery and allure:
Discovered in Sri Lanka in 1907, this exceptional sapphire quickly gained fame. Following expert cutting and polishing, it was acquired by an undisclosed American collector in the same year. Subsequently, the Blue Giant vanished from public view, remaining hidden for nearly a century.
The gem resurfaced in a 2004 Christie's auction catalogue, sparking widespread interest in its reappearance. However, after the auction, it once again retreated from public knowledge.
What sets the Blue Giant apart is not just its remarkable size but also its intense medium blue hue, often compared to the famed Kashmir sapphires prized for their unparalleled quality. Despite speculations, the precise origins of this extraordinary sapphire remain unconfirmed. The history of the Blue Giant is shrouded in secrecy. Little is known about its subsequent owners post-1907 and the circumstances of its reappearance in 2004, fostering an aura of mystique that only adds to its enigmatic allure.
The Blue Giant's elusive fate and its potential connection to Kashmir underscore the fascination that these rare sapphires hold. For centuries, Ceylonese and Kashmir sapphires of this caliber were treasures fit for royalty. Their exceptional beauty combined with their limited supply makes them incredibly sought-after by collectors and connoisseurs. They are enduring reminders of the breathtaking wonders that nature can create.
The Blue Giant of the Orient Sapphire
Conclusive Reflections
From the depths of Ceylon's (Sri Lanka's) mines to the heights of Kashmir, each exceptional sapphire carries its own unique story. These stories are woven with threads of history, symbolism, and the belief in their connection to the celestial powers of Saturn (Shani). Whether adorning exquisite sapphire rings fit for royalty or revered as a sacred Neelam stone in Vedic astrology, the blue sapphire holds extraordinary significance.
A sapphire's size, measured in carats, contributes significantly to its value. However, its true quality and provenance are confirmed through rigorous lab certifications. Precious Earth prioritizes these certifications, ensuring that each sapphire's natural origin and exceptional quality are authenticated. The intensity of a sapphire's cornflower blue depths, its legacy, and the emotions it evokes in the wearer are all factors that determine its lasting appeal. The blue sapphire will forever remain a gemstone of remarkable wonder, a symbol of wisdom and loyalty, and a testament to the artistry of nature.
