0.49 Ct. Blue Sapphire from Ceylon (Sri Lanka)

This pear shape blue sapphire, weighing 0.49 carat and measuring 7.39 by 5.16 by 2.99 millimeters, exemplifies a meticulous balance between material quality and precision cutting, supplied by The Natural Sapphire Company. The gem is transparent, with a mixed brilliant cut that combines the scintillation properties of a brilliant style crown with the directional light control of a faceted pavilion. The clarity is graded as slightly included when evaluated at eye level, and the stone displays an excellent polish that allows maximum light transmission across the table and through the pavilion. The color intensity is described as very light, and critically the sapphire is untreated, with no enhancement recorded, which preserves the original crystal chemistry and optical behavior characteristic of sapphires from Ceylon, Sri Lanka.

From a gemological perspective the mixed brilliant cut on a pear outline is an intentional choice to optimize both color delivery and brilliance in a smaller carat weight. The crown facets are fashioned to act as light return engines, breaking incoming rays into numerous small flashes that enhance perceived saturation, while the pavilion facets are shaped to direct that light back through the table in concentrated beams. In this stone the cutter has balanced facet size and facet count to favor dispersion and scintillation without sacrificing outline symmetry. The result is an appearance that reads visually larger than the weight might suggest, and that concentrates the very light blue color into lively, well defined flashes. Slight inclusions apparent at eye level are commonly characteristic of natural Ceylon material, and in this case they do not obstruct transparency. Instead, they can modulate light paths subtly, contributing to a dynamic internal scintillation that can make the hue appear more saturated under certain lighting angles due to internal light scattering.

Optically, sapphires often display pleochroism, showing different tones when viewed from different crystallographic directions, and this pear shaped mixed brilliant sapphire is no exception. The pear outline, with its tapered point and broader rounded end, alters the interaction of polarized light and facet angles so that the viewer will notice a range of blue tones from cooler cornflower blue at the tip to slightly softer sky blue across the broad face. Because the stone is very light in color intensity, the role of the cut and facet proportions becomes pivotal in conveying a sense of vibrancy. The excellent polish enhances reflectivity at the facet junctions, increasing contrast and making the light return appear crisp. Consequently when mounted in jewelry, the gem will present a lively play of tone and brilliance that captures attention despite its light saturation, and this optical liveliness is a direct consequence of the cutting strategy and surface finishing executed to high standards.

When considering settings that maximize the stone s visual impact, several technical choices enhance perceived color and presence. A halo setting using small brilliant cut diamonds increases contrast and frames the light blue, making the sapphire s hue read as more saturated by adjacency. For metal choice, yellow or rose gold provide warm contrast that intensifies the apparent depth of blue through complementary color interaction, while white gold or platinum create a cooler, more continuous field that emphasizes brilliance and crystalline clarity. The pear shape benefits from protective prong work at the tapered point, preferably with a V prong, to guard against damage while maintaining light entry through the pavilion. An east west orientation yields a modern silhouette that accentuates width, while a traditional north south setting elongates the finger and emphasizes the pear shape s drop. For applications where durability and a clean profile are priorities, a bezel with a thin rim at the girdle can protect the edges and maintain a continuous reflective plane, though this will slightly mute the degree of light return compared with a fully open prong setting. Given the stone s dimensions and transparency the cutter s choices make it particularly suitable as the focal center stone in a cluster, solitaire, or halo engagement design where optical performance is paramount.

Provenance and treatment status carry strong weight for discerning buyers, and this sapphire s origin in Ceylon, Sri Lanka, together with its untreated nature, positions it within a tradition of well known Sri Lankan sapphires that are prized for their refined light tones and crystalline clarity. The fact that there has been no heating or other enhancement preserves natural pleochroic behavior and original inclusion characteristics, which collectors and connoisseurs often prefer for long term value and authenticity. At The Natural Sapphire Company we focus on documenting cut geometry, clarity observations, and polish quality so that the technical attributes of each stone are transparent to the client. For care and setting recommendations we advise that the cutter s facet junctions be respected during mounting to avoid surface abrasion, that prongs be micro welded for long term security, and that routine ultrasonic cleaning be performed only after consultation if inclusions are suspected to compromise structural stability. In professional hands this 0.49 carat pear shape Ceylon sapphire will project a refined and vibrant presence in any jewelry setting, combining the subtlety of its very light blue color with the engineered brilliance of a mixed brilliant cut to stand out as an object of optical precision and natural beauty.