jewellery history | Megan Kirkwood

What are Ceylon Sapphires?

The island of Sri Lanka continues to be one of the world’s most important sources of Blue and Fancy-Coloured Sapphires.

Sri Lanka, Island of Gems

Ceylon is an old name for the South Asian island now known as Sri Lanka. Located in the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka is a small pear-shaped country with a population of approximately 22 million people. It’s a primarily Buddhist nation with a rich cultural heritage which includes being part of the ancient Silk Road. Extraordinarily, it has long been known as the “island of gems,” as it enjoys ideal geological conditions that has led to it being incredibly abundant in high quality jewels. In fact, the island is one of the world’s richest concentrations of gems, including 40 different mineral species.

Source is important when it comes to gemstones because it can add historical context, the idea of scarcity, and the specific geological conditions of each location often affect the most important characteristic of a jewel, which is colour. Since Sapphires are found in more places in the world that the rest of the “big three,” which also includes Emeralds and Rubies, you’ll sometimes see source listed with Sapphires more often as a way of distinguishing their value, as well as describing their colour.

500 to 600 years ago, Sri Lanka was actually located in the middle of an ancient supercontinent. While seemingly the plot of a movie, this true slice of its history means that millions of years ago, perfect levels of pressure and heat ensured Sri Lanka would be rich in metamorphic gems for millions of years. Due to erosion, most of Sri Lanka’s gems are found in alluvial deposits, which refers to locations that are away from their original rock formation, such as riverbeds and streams.

What makes Ceylon Sapphires so special?

Sri Lanka has been supplying the world with fine quality Sapphires for over 2000 years, and some historians believe it is actually the world’s very first source of Blue Sapphire on earth. Along with Kashmir (which is no longer in operation) and Myanmar (also referred to as Burma), Sri Lanka is known for producing some of the world’s finest qualities of Sapphires in every colour. (A certain famous Blue Sapphire and Diamond halo engagement ring features a 12 carat Blue Ceylon Sapphire.)

Similar to Rubies, Sapphires that are sourced from metamorphic rock tend to be the most prized because their environments are low in Iron, which allows the gems to maintain a vibrant, bright hue. Iron is generally more prolific in basalt rock conditions, such as those in Australia, and tends to give Sapphires a darker tone and greenish tint.

Which colours are Ceylon Sapphires available in?

While gemstones can vary in tone and colour regardless of where they’re sourced, Blue Ceylon Sapphires are generally thought of as having an ideal violet-blue to blue colour, often referred to as “cornflower blue,” which is lighter and brighter than most. Any Sapphire which isn’t blue is considered a “fancy-coloured Sapphire” in the trade and Sri Lanka is famously considered a producer of the widest range of fancy colours in the world, including top quality Yellow, Pink and Purple varieties. It is particularly famous for Star Sapphires and Padparadscha Sapphires, a pinky-orange variety which gets its name in part from the Sinhalese word for lotus flower.

While there are tests that can be performed by a gemologist and organizations such as the GIA to determine the geographic source of a gem, keep in mind that one of the many unique traits of coloured stones versus Diamonds is how they are mined. Coloured gems are often sourced in a much more independent and artisanal manner, versus having large corporate structures behind them which track their every move. So, by their very nature, coloured gems, including Sapphires of every colour, tend to pass through many hands, sometimes even in border towns, and pinpointing the exact, original source can be tough for anyone to 100% guarantee. While geographic terms need to be used as accurately as possible, it’s important not to lean on them too heavily, and instead, use them to further inspire your love of jewellery, its history, and the stunning variety of colours they possess.

A Spot of Citrine

Who can resist a drop of precious, year-round sunshine?

November’s birthstone and the sunny golden child of the gem world, Citrine is a transparent yellow to brownish-orange variety of quartz. Some might consider it the peppy little sister of the most prized variety of quartz, Amethyst. However, its lively and attractive colour make it highly sought-after all its own, like a refreshing splash of lemonade on a hot summer afternoon. The top-selling yellow gem, Citrine can be an excellent alternative to both Topaz and Yellow Sapphire.

Citrine gets its trademark hue from traces of Iron. The most prized colour is a highly saturated yellow, however, its earthy shades of cognac brown and fire orange are equally popular in today’s jewellery market. Pale shades of Citrine, which sometimes have a tint of green, are also sometimes referred to as “Lemon Quartz.”

Citrine is mined in several places around the world, including Brazil, Bolivia, Spain, Madagascar and Mexico. In eastern Bolivia, close to the Brazilian border, you can find naturally bicoloured stones with colour zones of both Amethyst purple and Citrine yellow, which is appropriately called Ametrine.

Since Citrine is available in large sizes with little to no eye-visible inclusions, it remains reasonably priced even in eye-widening carat weight. This, combined with its excellent durability make it fantastic for use in head-turning cocktail rings and other statement pieces such as pendants and bracelets. Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, is also known to have a large Citrine ring (thought to be from her personal collection, pre-marriage), which she still wears on occasion, including to the wedding of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

Also a gift to celebrate thirteenth anniversaries, Citrine’s jovial hue and generous sizes symbolize joy and abundance. It became particularly popular during the second World War and in the years following with luxury houses such as Cartier, when gems such as Sapphire and Emerald became too difficult and expensive to source and transport. This certainly adds to their symbolism of being a ‘feel-good’ gem meant to embody optimism and an overall cheerful approach. They’ve also been known as the ‘Merchant’s Stone,’ since they represent prosperity and have been thought to increase business, profits and overall wealth. (Yes, please!)

Like turning your face to a warm spot of sunshine, Citrines are like an instant hit of vitamin D, jolting you (or your outfit!) with dynamic energy, delight and positivity.

Tag Archives: jewellery history

Penwarden Fine Jewellery, Spring 2022

Katherine James Jewellery Custom Content, April 2021