Beyond Blue
The Many Colors Of Sapphire
For centuries, the island of Sri Lanka has been known as «Ratna-Dweepa,» which translates from Sinhala as «the island of gemstones,» a nickname that reflects the wealth and variety of gems found on the island. Gemstone mining in ancient Ceylon is an age-old practice that dates back to the 5th century B.C. Over 75 varieties of gemstones are mined there, including rubies, tourmalines, spinels, aquamarines, topazes, and more. However, its most iconic and prized gemstone is undoubtedly the sapphire.
Sapphires are often associated with the color blue, but in fact, this precious stone can be found in nature in a wide variety of colors and shades
Since sapphire is the birthstone for September, this is the ideal time to explore the fascinating diversity of this gemstone, which is so representative of Sri Lanka and takes center stage in many of OONA’s creations
Sapphire is actually a variety of the mineral corundum, like ruby. Its excellent technical properties of brilliance, transparency, and hardness, rated as 9 on the Mohs scale, make sapphire an extraordinary gem for cutting, polishing, and use in jewelry.
Since ancient times, sapphire has been the gemstone associated with intellectual virtues. For many cultures, sapphire symbolized wisdom, truth, and justice, which is why it has always been highly valued by kings, nobles, and rulers. In the spiritual and healing realm, sapphire is believed to aid concentration, clarify the mind, balance emotions, and provide inner peace. It is the stone of learning, self-knowledge, and enlightenment. Sapphire has also been historically nicknamed «the stone of love,» traditionally symbolizing fidelity and loyalty. It was believed to strengthen true love and foster harmony in a relationship, which is why it remains a particularly popular gemstone for engagement rings today.
Sapphires from Sri Lanka are renowned for their extraordinary quality, considered among the finest in the world.
The island is the oldest known sapphire deposit and remains one of the world’s largest producers of this precious stone. Some of the largest sapphires ever discovered have also been found on the ancient island of Ceylon.
The most iconic sapphire from Sri Lanka is the so-called «Ceylon Sapphire», with an astonishingly vivid and intense cornflower blue hue, featuring great clarity and brilliance. Its color is due to traces of iron and titanium within the mineral. All shades of blue are highly valued, but we must also highlight the Geuda sapphire, exclusive to the island, with a pale cyan, dense, and milky appearance caused by rutile inclusions.
However, these gems can also be found on the island in an infinite array of colors. The color palette of this precious stone ranges from the rare white sapphire, or leucosapphire, which is colorless and transparent, to the deepest black. Additionally, sapphires can be found in shades of green, yellow, pink, purple… Among all of them, the most unique is the «Padparadscha» sapphire, whose name in Sinhala translates as «lotus flower,» reflecting its particular and vibrant blend of pink, orange, and coral hues.
The extraordinary colors of Ceylon sapphires seem to evoke the beauty of the island’s tropical landscapes. The pink, orange, and red tones of seaside sunsets, the deep blue of the Indian Ocean waters, a clear and crystalline dawn, or the refreshing green of palm leaves bathed in sunlight.
Many of OONA’s pieces incorporate colored sapphires into their designs. All the sapphires we use in our creations are ethically sourced gemstones, extracted from sustainable, small-scale deposits. We only work with trusted suppliers who can guarantee fair working conditions in the mines and with whom we maintain a direct relationship.
We also work hand in hand with the master gemstone artisans of Sri Lanka, true experts in highlighting the intrinsic and natural beauty of each gem through various cutting techniques. By combining their centuries-old knowledge passed down through generations with more modern techniques, they manage to extract the purest color from the central facet of the stone and even orient the gems to achieve magical light effects like star opalescence.
It is important to note that almost all natural sapphires contain some defect or impurity. These imperfections are the result of the stone’s organic development over thousands of years and are a testament to its authenticity.
At OONA, we especially value this natural, imperfect, and wild beauty of the gemstones. It is an essential part of our identity and adds a very special value to each of our jewels, making them unique and unrepeatable pieces.
