Ceylon Blue Sapphires
BLUE SAPPHIRE
Sri Lanka (aka Ceylon under British authority)
Gemstone Marketing Trade Term: "Ceylon"
Geography: Metamorphic (Low-Iron)
Crystal Structure: Trigonal
Composition: Corundum (AI₂O₃ (crystallized aluminum oxide)) + Titanium, Iron trace elements
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Corundum is typically colorless. The trace elements, as with other stones, create color in the mineral. Iron is practically everywhere, but when it mixes with Titanium it causes beautiful Blue Sapphire.
Just outside the Elahera Region where mining takes place is Lion rock.
The mines of Sri Lanka produce a large amount of high-grade Blue Sapphire rough. They have been the go-to source for many brand name jewelry designers over the years due to their consistency in quality.
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Sapphire mining in Sri Lanka involves skilled labor and minimal tactics; tools and instruments. Various primitive shafts and alluvial deposits are mined throughout the country.
One of many primitive shafts for mining Blue Sapphire in Sri Lanka
The Republic of Sri Lanka places limitations on modern machinery and technology for their mining procedures. For the government, this employs more workers and provides jobs. It also is seen to preserve the land in its natural state.
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Because Ceylon Sapphires are known for their quality, they contain a premium. Some of these Blue Sapphires can be similar in quality to a Burma Blue Sapphire.
Inclusions & Clarity Characteristics​
Inclusions in Ceylon Sapphires can consist of beautifully, long striated intersecting needles known as silk. They carry mica, hematite, graphite, and pyrite crystals. Some primary fluid inclusions are seen as fingerprints.
These attributes help to identify the origin of the stone. These Sapphires also typically contain color zoning. Color Zoning can been seen in the Blue Sapphire rough at the top of the page.
Undisturbed Ceylon Blue Sapphire silk
Naturally occurring fingerprint inclusions
If the Blue Sapphire is free of inclusions, the gemstone should be submitted to GIA for a chemical analysis with further instruments for testing origin. However, because the chemical composition for Blue Sapphire is generally the same, this process is not as accurate as identifying clarity characteristics.
