1.18 Ct. Purplish Blue Sapphire from Ceylon (Sri Lanka)

This cushion shape purplish blue sapphire weighs 1.18 carats, with dimensions of 6.88 x 5.08 x 3.78 mm. It is fashioned in a mixed brilliant cut, combining faceting styles to optimize scintillation and dispersed color. The clarity is graded as very very slightly included, evaluated at eye level, indicating only minute inclusions that do not impede visual performance in standard mounting. Color intensity is described as light, providing a delicate, airy tone within the purplish blue range that is characteristic of many Ceylon origin stones. The polish is excellent, contributing to crisp facet junctions and a clean, reflective surface. The sapphire has been heat treated, a widely accepted and stable enhancement that refines color and clarity, and its reported origin is Ceylon, Sri Lanka. The Natural Sapphire Company provides this description to offer a precise account of the gem attributes, for use in design, appraisal, and provenance documentation.

Optically, the mixed brilliant cut of this cushion shaped sapphire is intended to balance depth and table size, creating a pleasing spread for a 1.18 carat weight. The proportions indicated by the stated dimensions deliver a modest table and crown, with pavilion depth that supports return of light and face up brilliance. In a stone with light color intensity, the mixed brilliant faceting strategy enhances scintillation and can create visual flashes that complement the purplish blue hue, allowing subtle violet notes to emerge under variable lighting. The very very slightly included clarity at eye level denotes that any internal features are small and often restricted to specific regions, leaving the gem largely clean to unaided observation. Excellent polish minimizes surface disturbances, which is particularly important for stones that rely on surface finish to maximize optical performance. Origin from Ceylon, Sri Lanka connects this specimen to a long established sapphire tradition, where stones have historically been valued for their near transparent body colors and lively brilliance, and where local cutting practices emphasize balanced proportions that respect both weight retention and optical outcome.

Sapphires of Ceylon origin carry a heritage that spans centuries, and this purplish blue cushion stone fits within that lineage. In historical contexts, sapphires were employed as talismans and symbols of wisdom, protection, and fidelity, worn by clergy, royalty, and those seeking spiritual reassurance. In South Asian traditions, Sri Lankan sapphires were often embedded in ceremonial jewelry and devotional ornaments, valued for their perceived connection to the land and to long established lapidary craft. This example embodies those traditions through its material origin and its refined finishing, making it appropriate for designs that seek to reference classical elegance, whether in an engagement ring, a meaningful pendant, or a pair of heirloom style earrings. Because of its light yet distinct purplish blue coloring, it pairs well with both warm and cool metals, although a slightly warmer mounting can help broaden the perception of the blue while keeping the violet nuance intact.

For practical consideration by jewellers and collectors, the 6.88 x 5.08 x 3.78 mm dimensions provide guidance for bezel and prong planning, and the 1.18 carat weight offers substantive presence without overwhelming most standard ring settings. Heat treatment is stable under normal wear and routine professional maintenance, though prolonged exposure to aggressive chemicals and extreme heat should be avoided, and ultrasonic cleaning is acceptable only after consultation with your jeweller given the presence of inclusions. The Natural Sapphire Company documents provenance and treatment to ensure informed decisions, and we include detailed imagery and grading notes with every stone to assist with design planning and certification. If further technical data or assistance matching this sapphire to a specific design is required, The Natural Sapphire Company can provide additional measurements, facet maps, and setting recommendations, supporting an informed and lasting choice rooted in both gemological accuracy and historical appreciation.