1.11 Ct. Blue Sapphire from Ceylon (Sri Lanka)

This 1.11 carat emerald cut blue sapphire is a superb example of Sri Lankan corundum, measuring 7.02 by 5.30 by 2.82 millimeters and expertly faceted in a mixed brilliant cutting style. The stone presents a transparent body with intense color intensity and an excellent polish, qualities that immediately communicate its fine lapidary work and visual appeal. The emerald cut shape provides a classic rectangular silhouette with trimmed corners and broad step facets on the crown paired with brilliant style facets below, a combination that balances elegant linear form with lively light return. The gem is heat treated, a standard and stable enhancement used to optimize color and clarity in natural sapphires, and it retains its natural origin from Ceylon Sri Lanka, a source renowned for producing highly sought after blue material. At The Natural Sapphire Company we emphasize accurate, detailed descriptions so that educated buyers can evaluate provenance, cutting characteristics, and overall quality before purchase.

Color is the leading determinant of value in blue sapphires, and this stone exhibits a vivid and intense blue that reads richly saturated under white light. Ceylon sapphires are often prized for their medium to medium deep tones and lively saturnine blue that can appear velvety yet transparent, and this gem expresses those regional tendencies with clarity and depth. The mixed brilliant cut enhances both color and scintillation by introducing faceting that disperses light for sparkle while preserving the stone carat weight and windowing control characteristic of step cuts. Viewed face up the pavilion design and facet arrangement work together to concentrate color toward the center without creating overly dark zones, which is important for an emerald style cut to avoid a washed out or too deep appearance. For a buyer considering hue, tone, and saturation, this sapphire offers an intense blue that remains versatile for both classic and contemporary settings.

Clarity is another critical factor for discerning purchasers, and this sapphire has a clarity grade described as very very slightly included when evaluated at eye level. This means that any natural inclusions are minor and do not detract from the gem when examined without magnification, allowing maximum visual purity and light performance. The excellent polish contributes to crisp facet junctions and smooth planes that enhance brilliance and surface luster, essential for an emerald cut where facet precision directly affects the stone presence. The mixed brilliant pavilion provides additional faceting to break up light and introduce sparkle, mitigating the potential for large, flat windows that can reduce visual interest in some step cut stones. The dimensions of 7.02 by 5.30 by 2.82 millimeters yield an appealing table size and a well balanced depth profile, factors that both influence the perceived size on the finger and the efficiency of light return in jewelry.

When assessing suitability for daily wear, sapphire is among the most practical gemstones due to its position as corundum with a Mohs hardness of 9, second only to diamond in terms of natural mineral hardness. This exceptional hardness confers strong resistance to scratches from ordinary materials encountered in everyday activities, making a sapphire an excellent choice for engagement rings and frequently worn pieces. Toughness in sapphire is generally good, though like all gemstones it can chip if struck at a brittle point or if subjected to a sufficiently forceful blow, so prudent setting choices enhance long term durability. Bezel settings, protective prongs, and lower profile mounts can be used to shield the edges and corners of an emerald cut stone, while routine care involves avoiding extreme thermal shock and exposure to strong acids or very aggressive household chemicals. Heat treated sapphires like this one are considered stable under normal wear conditions, and standard professional cleaning methods are suitable for maintenance.

For the informed buyer seeking a balance of aesthetic refinement and durable everyday performance, this 1.11 carat Ceylon emerald cut blue sapphire offers compelling value. The combination of intense color, very very slightly included clarity at eye level, mixed brilliant faceting, and excellent polish results in a gem that reads both elegant and lively, suitable for bespoke rings, pendants, or earrings. At The Natural Sapphire Company we stand behind transparent descriptions and are available to discuss setting recommendations, provide additional photographic angles, or supply independent gemological analysis on request, so collectors and clients can make confident decisions. This sapphire represents the enduring beauty and practical resilience that educated buyers expect from fine corundum, and it will wear exceptionally well in everyday jewelry when set and cared for appropriately.