Finding a bigbutt sapphire is one of those things that usually happens when you're looking for a stone with a ton of personality rather than a cookie-cutter shape. If you've spent any time browsing through loose gemstones or hanging out in jewelry forums, you've probably heard the term tossed around. It sounds a bit funny, sure, but it actually describes a very specific "look" in the world of colored gems. Essentially, we're talking about a sapphire that has a lot of weight—or a "heavy bottom"—below the girdle of the stone.
Most people who aren't into the nitty-gritty of gemology assume that every stone is cut to perfect proportions. But in the real world, especially with high-value stones like sapphires, cutters have to make some tough choices. Sometimes those choices result in a stone that's a bit chunkier on the bottom than what you'd see in a standard diamond cut. Let's dive into why these stones exist, why people actually go looking for them, and what you need to know if you're thinking about buying one.
What Exactly Is a Bigbutt Sapphire?
In technical terms, we're talking about a sapphire with a very deep pavilion. If you look at a gemstone from the side, the top part is the crown, the middle line is the girdle, and the bottom V-shape is the pavilion. A bigbutt sapphire has a pavilion that is significantly deeper or more rounded than "ideal" proportions would suggest.
Usually, when a stone is cut this way, it's not because the cutter was having a bad day. It's almost always an intentional move to preserve the color or the weight of the rough crystal. Because sapphires are expensive and rare, throwing away half the stone just to meet a "standard" measurement often feels like a crime to the person doing the cutting. So, you end up with a stone that's got a little extra junk in the trunk, so to speak.
Why Cutters Leave All That Weight on the Bottom
You might wonder why anyone would want a stone that's "out of proportion." The main reason is color saturation. Sapphires aren't like diamonds; with a diamond, the goal is almost always maximum sparkle and light return. With a sapphire, color is king.
If a piece of rough sapphire is a bit light in color, a cutter might leave the bottom very deep to help the light travel further through the stone. This makes the blue (or pink, or yellow) look much more intense when you're looking at it from the top. If they cut it to "ideal" proportions, the stone might end up looking washed out or pale.
Then there's the obvious reason: money. Gemstones are sold by the carat. If a cutter can produce a 3-carat stone with a heavy bottom instead of a 2-carat stone with perfect proportions, that 3-carat stone is likely going to fetch a higher price on the wholesale market. It's a balancing act between making the stone look beautiful and making sure they aren't literally grinding thousands of dollars into dust.
The Love-Hate Relationship with Deep Stones
People tend to have strong opinions about a bigbutt sapphire. On one hand, you get that incredible, deep, velvety color that sapphires are famous for. Because there's more "meat" to the stone, the color often feels more substantial and "rich." If you're a fan of stones that look moody and saturated, a deep-cut sapphire might be exactly your vibe.
On the other hand, these stones can be a bit of a headache for jewelers. When a stone is very deep, it can create what we call "extinction." This is when parts of the stone look dark or black because the light isn't reflecting back properly. Instead of a bright, twinkling gem, you might get a stone that looks like a dark inkwell in certain lights.
Also, there's the "face-up" size issue. Since so much of the weight is hidden underneath, a 2-carat bigbutt sapphire might actually look the same size as a 1.5-carat stone that's cut more shallowly. You're paying for weight you can't really see once it's set in a ring.
Making It Work in a Piece of Jewelry
If you've fallen in love with a stone that's got a bit of a heavy bottom, don't worry—it's totally wearable. You just have to be a bit more strategic about the setting. You can't just drop a deep sapphire into a standard, pre-made mounting and expect it to fit.
Most people go for custom settings when they have a bigbutt sapphire. A "tulip" setting or a high-profile basket can accommodate that extra depth without the bottom of the stone poking your finger. It actually gives the ring a very regal, substantial look. Plus, because the stone sits up higher, it catches a lot of light from the sides, which can help mitigate some of that "extinction" I mentioned earlier.
Just keep in mind that a high setting is more prone to getting bumped or snagged on your clothes. If you're someone who works with your hands a lot, you'll want to make sure the prongs are extra sturdy to protect your investment.
What to Look for When You're Shopping
So, you're out there looking at stones, and you see one that's clearly got a deep pavilion. How do you know if it's a "good" one or if it's just a poorly cut rock?
First, check the center of the stone. You want to avoid a "window"—that's when the middle of the stone is see-through like a piece of glass. Ironically, some bigbutt sapphires are cut deep specifically to avoid a window, but if the angles are wrong, you might still get one.
Second, look at the color consistency. Does the stone look beautiful from the top, or is it only pretty when you tilt it? A good bigbutt sapphire should have a deep, consistent color across the whole face of the gem. If the edges are bright blue but the middle is totally black, that's probably too much extinction for most people's taste.
Finally, consider the price per carat. If a stone is cut very deep, you shouldn't necessarily be paying the same "per-carat" price as you would for a perfectly proportioned stone of the same weight. Savvy buyers often use the "hidden weight" as a bargaining chip. You're paying for a 3-carat stone that looks like a 2-carat stone, so the price should reflect that reality.
The Personality of the Stone
At the end of the day, jewelry is personal. Some people want a sapphire that looks like a laser beam—bright, flashy, and precisely cut. Others prefer a stone that feels like it has a soul, with all the quirks and "imperfections" that come with natural gems.
A bigbutt sapphire has a certain gravity to it. It's heavy, it's usually incredibly colorful, and it tells a story about the person who cut it and the piece of earth it came from. It's not trying to be a diamond; it's being a sapphire, which is a whole different ballgame.
If you find a stone that makes your heart skip a beat, don't let a "deep pavilion" scare you off. As long as the color is there and you can find a jeweler who knows how to handle it, a heavy-bottomed sapphire can make for a stunning, one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry that you'll cherish for a lifetime. Just be prepared for it to sit a little higher on your hand and for people to ask, "Wow, where did you find that color?"