This Blue Zircon NEO Cuff brings together an unusually large, intensely blue Tanzanian zircon (hexagon, 5.30 ct) with architectural geometry and micro-set diamond accents — a bold directional piece from Calla Lily’s Neo collection that reads like jewellery engineered to capture light and colour rather than simply wear it.
Specifications
Name: Blue Zircon NEO Cuff
Price: $22,400
Materials: 18k yellow gold; Blue Zircon (Tanzania) — Hexagon, 1 pc, 5.30 cts; Blue Topaz — Hexagon, 2 pcs, 1.53 cts; Diamonds — trilliant + round accents.
Why This Zircon Matters — The Science of Brilliance and Colour
Blue zircon is a natural gemstone that behaves optically in a way few coloured stones do: it combines a high refractive index with noticeable dispersion and strong birefringence, which together deliver vivid flashes of spectral colour and a crystalline clarity that can look almost electric in daylight. Because of those optical traits, a clean, well-cut hexagon like the one in this cuff reads with rare sparkle and depth.
Zircon’s fire — the prism-like flashes that appear within the stone — is due to its exceptional ability to bend light. The Blue Zircon NEO Cuff amplifies this effect through its geometry and precise setting, allowing the stone to reflect brilliance from every angle. The result is a gem that doesn’t just glow; it feels alive.
Provenance — Why Tanzania Here Is Not Just a Label
The Blue Zircon NEO Cuff features a Tanzanian blue zircon, a region known for producing some of the most vivid and saturated zircons in the world. Stones from Tanzania, especially those from the Umba and Tunduru regions, are prized for their rich, natural blue tones and exceptional clarity.
A 5.30-carat zircon of this calibre is incredibly rare. Its combination of colour intensity, size, and flawless geometry makes it an exceptional find — one that embodies Calla Lily’s commitment to sourcing the extraordinary rather than the expected.
The Neo Language — Geometry, Cuts and Why the Hexagon Was Chosen
The Neo collection reimagines modern jewellery design through the lens of geometry, proportion, and movement. Each piece is structured to play with light — not through excess ornamentation, but through architectural precision.
In this cuff, the hexagon takes centre stage. It’s a deliberate choice: hexagonal cuts maximise the gem’s surface reflection while keeping a sense of symmetry and calm. For zircon, the cut enhances its unique optical behaviour — its double refraction and vibrant dispersion — producing a mosaic of colour and brilliance across the face of the stone.
Surrounding the zircon, trilliant and round diamonds serve as subtle amplifiers. They catch and redirect light toward the central gem, making the blue appear even deeper and more dimensional.
Making It Happen at the Atelier — The People and the Process
At Calla Lily’s atelier, each design begins with a conversation — between the stone, the idea, and the hands that will bring it to life. Creative director Emily Tan and the design team approach every piece as a study in balance: architecture meets intuition, precision meets emotion.
For the Blue Zircon NEO Cuff, the process began with the stone itself. Once the perfect hexagon-cut Tanzanian zircon was sourced, the team worked through drawings and technical prototypes to determine how the structure could best support both comfort and brilliance. The final result reflects hours of micro-adjustment — angles refined, claws repositioned, pavé patterns tested — until the piece felt inevitable.
Blue Zircon, Broken Down — Optics, Care and What Sets the Stone Apart
Optics: Zircon’s refractive index is among the highest of all coloured gemstones, giving it a brilliance that rivals diamond. Its strong birefringence creates a distinct visual depth — an effect of doubled facet reflections inside the gem.
Colour: Tanzanian blue zircon ranges from icy teal to deep royal blue. The stone in this cuff sits at the rare end of that spectrum, with a saturated hue that shifts subtly under different lighting.
Care: Zircon is a durable gem, but it benefits from care. Avoid ultrasonic cleaning or exposure to high heat; a soft cloth and mild solution are best. When stored individually, zircon maintains its polish and brilliance for decades.
Metals — Why We Use 18k Gold (White, Rose, Yellow) and Titanium
Every Calla Lily piece is made only with 18k gold — white, rose, or yellow — and titanium, materials chosen for their beauty and performance.
18k gold (75% pure gold) offers richness of tone and lasting strength. Rose gold gains its warmth from copper alloys, white gold from palladium or silver, while yellow gold retains the classic luminous hue.
Titanium adds a modern dimension — light, strong, hypoallergenic, and resistant to corrosion. It allows for bold structural designs with exceptional comfort.
These materials aren’t chosen by trend, but for how they interact with light and wear over time — the same principles that define our approach to stones and form.
Bespoke and Stone-Hunting — How to Make This Piece Yours
Every collection piece at Calla Lily can evolve into a bespoke creation. You may choose to reimagine this cuff with a different gemstone, shift the metal tone, or adjust proportions to suit your taste.
We maintain a curated library of loose gemstones, sourced from the world’s best cutters and traders — with a particular focus on rare and coloured gems. If none of our existing stones resonates with you, our team will happily go stone hunting, seeking the one that does. This service is personal, transparent, and rooted in passion for gemology and craftsmanship.
Customisation possibilities include replacing the blue zircon with another rare stone such as spinel, tourmaline, or sapphire; reinterpreting the cuff in 18k white, rose, or yellow gold; or exploring titanium for a lightweight, sculptural finish.
Each bespoke commission is guided through the same atelier process led by Emily and her team — from gemstone sourcing to final setting — ensuring every piece remains true to Calla Lily’s refined design language.
This Piece Is Important
The Blue Zircon NEO Cuff sits at the intersection of art, science, and rarity. It’s a study in how geometry, optics, and human craft converge to express a single stone at its fullest potential. The Tanzanian blue zircon at its centre isn’t simply beautiful — it’s a phenomenon of light, captured and structured into form.
If you feel drawn to this idea — whether through this stone, another hue, or a different metal expression — we welcome you to begin your own dialogue with the atelier. Every design is an invitation to create something uniquely yours, grounded in the same precision, respect for materials, and quiet boldness that define Calla Lily.
