Everything you need to know about buying natural Ceylon and Australian sapphires from Ministry of Gems — certification, shipping, returns, bespoke design and more. Three generations of gem mastery, from our own mines to your hands.
About Ministry of Gems
Who is Ministry of Gems?
Ministry of Gems is an Australian gem house carrying a three-generation Ceylon heritage that reaches back to the 1960s. We operate our own sapphire mines in Sri Lanka, cut and polish in-house, and grade every stone with our resident FGAA-qualified gemmologist — a genuine mine-to-market chain. Learn more about us.
What does “mine to market” mean?
It means we control the entire journey of a gemstone: our own Ceylon mines, in-house cutting and polishing, FGAA-qualified grading, and our own workshop — so there are no middlemen between the mine and your hands. See how our mine-to-market chain works.
Do you have a retail store I can visit?
We are an online gem house based in Sydney, Australia, serving clients Australia-wide and worldwide. Private viewings are available by appointment — email sales@ministryofgems.com.au or call +61 424 009 223 to arrange one.
Do you sell wholesale to jewellers and the trade?
Yes. We supply jewellers and the trade at wholesale, direct from our own Ceylon mines, with in-house cutting and FGAA grading. Visit our B2B Trade page or email sales@ministryofgems.com.au for trade terms.
Gemstones, Certification & Authenticity
Are your sapphires natural and genuine?
Yes — every sapphire we sell is a 100% natural, earth-mined stone, never synthetic or lab-created. We mine our own Ceylon sapphires and hand-select Australian stones, each graded by our FGAA-qualified gemmologist.
Are your gemstones certified?
Yes. Every stone comes with certification of its natural origin and characteristics, backed by our lifetime authenticity guarantee. Independent laboratory reports (e.g. GIA) can be arranged for fine and investment-grade stones on request.
What is an unheated sapphire, and why does it matter?
An unheated sapphire has never been heat-treated to improve its colour or clarity — its beauty is entirely natural. Because most sapphires on the market are heated, untreated stones are rarer and hold their value better. Read our Unheated Ceylon Sapphire Buyer’s Guide.
How do I know a sapphire is really unheated?
Treatment status is stated in writing on the stone’s certification — we specify whether a sapphire is unheated or heated. Because we mine and cut our own stones, we document provenance from the ground up, and independent lab confirmation is available for premium unheated stones.
What is the difference between Ceylon and Australian sapphires?
Ceylon (Sri Lankan) sapphires are prized for bright cornflower and royal blues; Australian sapphires are known for deep blues, greens and distinctive parti colours. We mine, cut and grade both. See our full Ceylon vs Australian comparison.
Are your gemstones ethically sourced?
Yes. We mine our own Ceylon sapphires and source Australian stones directly, so we know exactly where every gem comes from — genuine, traceable provenance, not anonymous parcels of unknown origin.
Ordering & Payment
What currencies can I pay in?
Australian customers pay in AUD. US and international customers can shop and check out in US Dollars (USD), converted at live exchange rates.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept Visa, Mastercard, American Express and JCB through Shopify’s secure, PCI-compliant checkout.
Can I buy a loose stone and have it set into a ring?
Absolutely — many clients choose a loose sapphire first, then design a bespoke setting around it with our Design Your Ring service.
Can I speak to a gemmologist before I buy?
Yes — email sales@ministryofgems.com.au or call +61 424 009 223. Our FGAA-qualified gemmologist can guide you on colour, origin, treatment and value.
Shipping & Delivery
Do you offer free shipping?
Yes — shipping is free on all orders within Australia.
Do you ship internationally?
Yes — we ship worldwide, fully insured and tracked. Email sales@ministryofgems.com.au to confirm delivery to your country.
Do you ship to the United States?
Yes — we ship to the United States, fully insured and tracked by express courier with signature on delivery. US customers can check out in USD.
Will I pay customs duties on international orders?
It depends on your country. For example, US orders under USD $800 generally enter duty-free under the US de-minimis threshold; higher-value orders may attract import duties. Contact sales@ministryofgems.com.au before ordering a high-value piece and we will confirm how duties are handled.
Do you offer express shipping?
Yes — expedited, tracked and fully insured shipping is available on request. Email sales@ministryofgems.com.au and we will arrange the fastest secure method to your location.
Returns & Guarantee
What is your return policy?
If a piece isn’t right, contact us and we will help arrange a return under our refund policy. Email sales@ministryofgems.com.au with your order details.
Is my purchase protected?
Yes — every stone carries our lifetime authenticity guarantee and certification, and every shipment is fully insured in transit.
Bespoke Jewellery & Services
Can you make a custom engagement ring?
Yes — bespoke design is at the heart of what we do. Start with our Design Your Ring service, or read The Sapphire Engagement Ring Buyer’s Guide.
How much does a Ceylon sapphire cost?
Sapphires are priced per carat, driven mostly by colour, treatment and size — certified heated stones start in the low hundreds per carat, while fine unheated stones can run into the thousands per carat. See our honest price-per-carat guide.
Where can I learn more before buying?
Explore our Gem Guides, watch our documentary Echoes from the Mine, and browse our Ceylon, Australian and unheated sapphire collections.
Still have a question?
Email sales@ministryofgems.com.au, call +61 424 009 223, or use our contact page — our team and resident gemmologist are happy to help.