0.88 Ct. Blue Sapphire from Ceylon (Sri Lanka)

This listing describes a single, natural blue sapphire weighing 0.88 carat, presented in a round shape with finished dimensions of 5.57 by 5.50 by 3.53 millimeters. The stone is transparent, faceted with a mixed brilliant cut, and shows intense blue color intensity with an excellent polish. Clarity is graded as very slightly included, evaluated at eye level, indicating small internal features that do not detract from overall visual performance. The sapphire is unenhanced, retaining its natural optical character, and its origin is Ceylon Sri Lanka. The Natural Sapphire Company confirms the provenance and treatment status, and provides a detailed assessment of the gem so that its visual and physical attributes are understood in context.

From a cutting and finish perspective, the mixed brilliant faceting on this round sapphire is executed to balance color saturation with light performance. Mixed brilliant cutting generally combines a brilliant style on the crown with complementary facet patterns on the pavilion to enhance return of light to the eye. In this example the proportioned girdle and pavilion depth, when considered against the measured dimensions, deliver controlled scintillation and a lively play of light across the crown. The excellent polish contributes to crisp facet junctions and minimized surface distortion, which preserves contrast and internal reflection. Because the sapphire is transparent with very slight inclusions, light passes through and reflects from facet planes with minimal scattering, producing a consistent internal sheen and sustained luster under typical viewing conditions.

In comparison to other gemstones in the same blue color family and to other corundum examples, this Ceylon sapphire’s reflective qualities are defined by a combination of refractive behavior, low dispersion, and vitreous luster. Sapphire, as a variety of corundum, has a refractive index in the range of approximately 1.76 to 1.77, and a relatively low dispersion value near 0.018. These properties produce a focused, saturated brightness rather than the high fire seen in stones with greater dispersion. Compared to spinel, which has a slightly lower refractive index and similar dispersion, this sapphire will typically exhibit stronger light return and a marginally firmer appearance of brilliance, given comparable cutting quality. Against tanzanite, which has a lower refractive index and pronounced pleochroism, the sapphire delivers more uniform reflection across viewing angles, without the pronounced color shifts that tanzanite shows. Aquamarine and blue topaz, both with substantially lower refractive indices, return less brightness and appear flatter in faceted forms unless cut to very shallow proportions. When placed against diamond, which has a high refractive index near 2.42 and dispersion more than double that of sapphire, the sapphire will not display the same level of rainbow fire, but it will maintain a strong, saturated, and consistent blue presence that many connoisseurs prefer for colored stone jewelry.

Practical considerations for the gem in jewelry focus on how its reflective properties interact with setting design, lighting, and wear. The mixed brilliant cut provides strong scintillation in movement and a steady, reflective depth when positioned under static light, making the sapphire suitable for central ring stones and pronounced pendant settings where an even color and reliable light return are desirable. Because the stone is unenhanced and of Ceylon origin, its natural hue and reflective character are intrinsic attributes, and settings that allow unobstructed light entry through the pavilion will maximize perceived brilliance. Care for the sapphire is straightforward, with routine gentle cleaning recommended to preserve polish and minimize any accumulation that could dull facet reflections. The Natural Sapphire Company documents the gem as part of our natural inventory, and we provide assessment notes and imagery to illustrate how the cutting style and clarity interact with light, enabling informed selection for designs that capitalize on the sapphire’s steady, intense blue reflection rather than on high dispersion effects.