0.48 Ct. Blue Sapphire from Ceylon (Sri Lanka)

This 0.48 carat pear shaped blue sapphire measures 5.75 by 3.85 by 2.79 millimeters and is cut in a mixed brilliant style that balances scintillation with controlled light return. The mixed brilliant faceting places brilliant style facets across the crown to maximize surface sparkle, while the pavilion faceting is arranged to create a coherent light path through the pear outline, minimizing dark zones and excess leakage. The clarity is graded as very very slightly included, evaluated at eye level, indicating that inclusions are minimal and do not detract from the gem's transparency or its optical performance. Color intensity is described as intense, and the stone displays an even zoning and saturation across the table and facets, aided by an excellent polish that produces crisp facet junctions and strong facet contrast. The sapphire has been heat treated to stabilize and enhance its color, a widely accepted and permanent enhancement in corundum, and its material properties are consistent with gem quality corundum, with a refractive index approximately 1.762 to 1.770, birefringence around 0.008 to 0.010, specific gravity about 3.98 to 4.06, and a hardness of nine on the Mohs scale.

When comparing hue and tone to sapphires from other renowned locations, this Ceylon example should be understood in context. Classic Kashmir sapphires are known for a pigeon blood or cornflower blue with a soft, velvety diffusion of light, producing a dusty medium to medium deep tone that is often perceived as more luxurious rather than brighter. Burmese sapphires from Mogok typically exhibit a richer, more saturated royal blue with a slightly deeper tone and less overt brilliance than Ceylon stones. Ceylon sapphires, like this one, characteristically favor a vivid, lively blue that often includes a delicate violet modulation, resulting in a brighter appearance at comparable saturations. Madagascar has been producing stones that can range across the spectrum, from vivid Ceylon like blues to the deeper, denser tones akin to Burmese material, so a direct comparison depends on provenance within Madagascar. Australian and Thai sources tend toward inky, deep tones with lower apparent brightness, which makes them visually weightier but less lively. American Montana sapphires generally present a steely, lighter blue to blue gray tone, which contrasts with the intense hue of this Ceylon stone and gives a cooler, more subdued aesthetic.

From a setting and craftsmanship perspective this sapphire benefits from its pear outline and mixed brilliant faceting, which together create a focal point that reads larger per carat than many round equivalents. The proportions, specifically the shallow to moderate depth at 2.79 millimeters, favor a lively face up appearance, and the excellent polish ensures maximum brilliance when mounted. For designers and experienced buyers considering this gem, it pairs exceptionally well as a solitaire pendant or as the center of a delicate three stone ring, where the intensity of the blue can be balanced by lighter accent stones to emphasize saturation without overpowering the overall piece. The very very slightly included clarity, evaluated at eye level, supports close setting options without the risk of visibility of inclusions to an unaided observer. Enhancement by heat treatment is standard, stable and permanent, and should be disclosed and factored into comparative pricing and insurance documentation. At The Natural Sapphire Company we prioritize accurate, technical descriptions and can provide additional imaging, documentation, and mounting recommendations to optimize light performance and color balance for your intended design.