1.01 Ct. Blue Sapphire from Ceylon (Sri Lanka)

This transparent 1.01 carat oval blue sapphire measures 5.84 by 5.18 by 4.00 millimeters, a proportion that balances face up spread with depth for optimal light performance. The gem is fashioned in a mixed brilliant cut, combining a brilliant crown with a more controlled pavilion architecture, a decision that enhances scintillation while preserving color saturation. The cutter has worked to align facet junctions for symmetrical light return, the result of exacting facet placement and calibrated pavilion angles to reduce windowing and maximize perceived size. Surface finishing is excellent across the girdle and facets, the polish bringing crisp facet planes and tight facet intersections which produce clean flashes and consistent scintillation. This sapphire originates from Ceylon Sri Lanka, a provenance known for producing stones with lively tone and a refined blue palette, and it has been heat treated, a stable enhancement commonly applied to improve clarity and refine color distribution, done under controlled conditions to maintain structural integrity.

Color and clarity are core to the gemology of this piece, the stone showing a medium intense color intensity that sits in a range prized for vivid presence without tipping into overly dark saturation. The hue leans to true blue with the type of lively medium intensity often associated with Ceylon material, which yields an attractive balance between brightness and depth. Clarity is graded as slightly included when evaluated at eye level, inclusions that are consistent with natural sapphire formation and that do not materially affect the gem's transparency or its ability to return light. At normal viewing distances the inclusions remain unobtrusive, they are internal features such as fine rutile silk and occasional pinpoint crystals that can act to enhance a stone's appearance by creating soft diffusion of light rather than detracting from it. The mixed brilliant faceting strategy combined with the medium intense color reduces the risk of windowing and enhances overall light return, creating a lively face up appearance and well distributed scintillation, while the excellent polish ensures that the surface contributes minimal light scatter and maximum brilliance.

From a craftsmanship viewpoint, this stone exemplifies precise cutting choices made to reconcile color and brilliance, crown facet design optimized to create a vibrant table flash, and pavilion geometry calibrated to anchor the color in the body of the stone. The oval outline has been shaped to offer a pleasing length to width ratio that flatters finger placement in rings and creates a balanced silhouette in pendants and studs. The girdle thickness has been kept within sensible limits to allow secure setting without excess material, and the culet and pavilion terminations have been managed to avoid light leakage. Because the sapphire has been heat treated, it presents improved homogeneity of color, and because polishing and facet control are excellent, it sits as a gem that will behave predictably under different lighting environments, showing attractive sparkle in daylight and artificial light alike.

This sapphire is versatile by design and suitable for both casual and formal applications, it is compact enough for everyday jewelry such as a subtle solitaire ring or a low profile bezel pendant, and technical attributes like its medium intense color and mixed brilliant cut allow it to stand confidently in more elaborate formal pieces including halo engagement rings and classic three stone settings. For casual use I recommend settings that protect the girdle and lower pavilion such as a bezel or partial bezel to minimize impact risk, while for formal pieces a four or six prong setting will allow maximum light ingress and display the gem s scintillation to its best advantage. Metal pairing will influence perceived color, white metals offering high contrast and a crisp modern look, yellow and rose gold warming the presentation and intensifying the blue against a warm background. As with all fine sapphires sold by The Natural Sapphire Company, this stone comes with careful evaluation notes and practical care guidance, including professional inspection before any resizing work, avoidance of uncontrolled heating processes during jewelry repair, and routine cleaning with warm soapy water and a soft brush to preserve the excellent polish and overall beauty.