1.17 Ct. Blue Sapphire from Ceylon (Sri Lanka)

This pear shaped Ceylon blue sapphire from The Natural Sapphire Company is a refined example of classic Sri Lankan material, weighing 1.17 carats, measuring 9.61 by 4.93 by 3.19 mm, and fashioned with a mixed brilliant cut to maximize fire and scintillation. The gem displays vivid color intensity with a transparent body that responds actively to light, and an excellent polish that leaves the facet junctions crisp and clean. Clarity is described as very very slightly included when evaluated at eye level, which means the stone presents as essentially eye clean to most observers, while retaining natural internal features that confirm its authenticity and origin. This sapphire has been heat treated, a stable and widely accepted enhancement that refines color saturation and reduces the visibility of minor inclusions, and the result is a stone that balances aesthetic appeal with long term stability under normal wear conditions.

When assessing quality, educated buyers look first to the four traditional factors of color, clarity, cut, and carat weight. This sapphire scores highly on color, with a vivid blue that sits in the desirable range for Ceylon material, combining brightness and depth without slipping into an overly dark tone. The mixed brilliant cut in a pear outline is particularly effective, because it merges the concentrated brilliance of pavilion faceting with table and crown proportions that preserve color and allow light return across the length of the gem. The proportions produce an elegant length to width ratio that is especially flattering for center settings, and the modest carat weight combined with the elongated form yields an impression of size that is larger than the number alone might suggest. In clarity terms, the very very slightly included grade at eye level indicates minimal interference with light performance, so the stone retains lively dispersion and clean windowing even in open settings.

Comparisons to historically famous sapphires help to contextualize this stone for a discerning collector. Kashmir sapphires of the mid nineteenth and early twentieth centuries are often cited for their velvety cornflower blue and a diffused silk like appearance, qualities that command exceptional premiums due to extreme rarity. Burmese sapphires are known for their rich, saturated blues with slightly warmer overtones. Ceylon sapphires, particularly those from renowned Sri Lankan deposits, are celebrated for a lively, crystalline blue that can be brighter and more radiant than those other classic sources. This pear shaped gem exhibits that lively Ceylon character, offering a vivid blue that reads with vibrancy in daylight and artificial light alike. While it does not attempt to emulate the velvet of a Kashmir stone, it provides a modern and versatile expression of blue that can outshine other materials in a setting that emphasizes brilliance and wearability. For a buyer seeking historical sensibility coupled with contemporary performance, this sapphire represents a compelling balance of color, cut, and clarity.

From an investment and jewelry design perspective, this sapphire has several attributes that will appeal to an educated buyer. The documented origin of Ceylon or Sri Lanka carries provenance value, because Sri Lankan sapphires have a long and well understood market reputation, and the heat treatment applied is a standard, permanent enhancement that is fully accepted in trade practice when disclosed. The mixed brilliant cut produces excellent light return and a lively face up appearance, and the polish quality contributes to durable surface integrity and minimal light leakage. The eye level clarity grading indicates that the stone will present cleanly in most mounting styles, and the elegant pear shape offers versatility from solitaire engagement rings to pendant and drop earring designs. At the same time, the rarity of vividly colored, eye clean sapphires in a precisely cut pear form at this size makes it attractive to collectors who value both aesthetic and market qualities. If you would like a formal gemological report or comparative analysis for insurance or appraisal purposes, The Natural Sapphire Company can assist with documentation and personalized recommendations for settings that best showcase the gem while protecting its long term beauty.