1.02 Ct. Blue Sapphire from Ceylon (Sri Lanka)

This transparent 1.02 carat cushion shape blue sapphire measures 5.82 by 4.87 by 4.00 millimeters, and it has been precision cut to a mixed brilliant pavilion and crown geometry. The mixed brilliant style marries a modified brilliant pavilion with a carefully faceted crown, producing well controlled light return while preserving the stone is natural color depth. Clarity is graded very very slightly included evaluated at eye level, indicating that no inclusions are apparent to the naked eye and that the stone presents a clean, open face up appearance. Color intensity is described as intense, with a saturated blue that reads as vivid and consistent across the table, and the excellent polish contributes to crisp facet junctions and scintillation. Enhancement is heat treated, a common and stable practice used to optimize hue and remove silk without compromising durability. The origin is Ceylon Sri Lanka, a provenance known for lively and highly desirable blue tones.

From a gemological perspective this sapphire exhibits optical properties that position it differently from more commonly encountered gems. Corundum has a refractive index around one point seven six to one point seven seven which produces a strong adamantine to vitreous lustre, but not the extreme fire of diamond which has a refractive index near two point four two. The mixed brilliant cut implemented here focuses on maximizing return from the pavilion while creating larger, strategically placed crown facets to enhance facet contrast and mirror like flashes. Because this pavilion is relatively deep at four point zero millimeters under the cushion outline, the cutter intentionally balanced pavilion angles and table size to avoid a washed out window and to increase perceived color saturation. The result is a gem that shows concentrated flashes of pure blue and an even field of color, characteristics that differ from blue topaz and aquamarine which typically display paler tones and lower color saturation. Sapphires also show pleochroism, and this Ceylon stone reveals subtle shifts between royal blue and a slightly violet infused blue as the stone is rotated, adding to its sensory depth in a way that colorless gems cannot.

Craftsmanship and practical considerations further set this sapphire apart and make it an excellent choice for a discerning buyer. The excellent polish and precise facet symmetry ensure that light is returned with high contrast and controlled scintillation, while the very very slightly included clarity grade preserves the gem is structural integrity and face up appeal. Heat treatment has been applied to enhance hue and clarity, a stable and widely accepted enhancement within the trade that is disclosed by The Natural Sapphire Company. For mounting, an open four or six prong setting will allow maximum light entry and show the stone is true color, while a bezel with a low wall can protect the girdle and retain brilliance if a more secure setting is desired. In comparison to diamonds this sapphire offers intense, saturated color and a velvety depth that provides presence and personality rather than flash alone. Against blue topaz and aquamarine it offers far greater color intensity and long term wearability due to corundum is hardness rating of nine on the Mohs scale. Sourced and finished with attention to facet proportion and polish, this Ceylon cushion sapphire from The Natural Sapphire Company will appeal to knowledgeable buyers who value precise cutting techniques, authentic origin, and the interplay of color, clarity, and brilliance that only a finely executed sapphire can deliver.