The disclosure has described a sub-miniature arc lamp and a method to make a sub-miniature arc lamp. An embodiment of the sub-miniature arc lamp includes a sapphire body having a first end and a second end, the first end being coupled to a first cap and the second end being coupled to a second cap to define a sealed envelope, wherein a first electrode being mounted in the first cap and a second electrode being mounted in the second cap are enclosed within the envelope. Other embodiments are described and claimed.