1.19 Ct. Blue Sapphire from Ceylon (Sri Lanka)

This transparent 1.19 carat oval blue sapphire from Ceylon presents a carefully considered combination of proportions and finish, with calibrated dimensions of 6.56 by 5.34 by 4.13 millimeters, and a mixed brilliant cut that merges the optical advantages of a brilliant crown with a faceted pavilion geometry optimized for return of light. The mixed brilliant arrangement typically uses a full brilliant facet pattern on the crown to maximize scintillation, while the pavilion employs a modified step or mixed pavilion layout to broaden the spread of color across the oval surface, and in this example the cutter has balanced table size and crown height to create lively facet contrast without sacrificing face up size. Clarity is graded slightly included at eye level, and the inclusions are minute carbon or rutile remnants typical of Ceylon material, they are positioned and sized so as to minimally interrupt windowing and to act as subtle focal points under magnification rather than as distractions in normal wear. The polish is excellent, and the facet junctions show crispness indicative of careful lap work, producing sharp facet reflections and well controlled light leakage, attributes that are essential in small, finely faceted stones where craftsmanship defines perceived brilliance.

Color in this sapphire is medium intense, a grade that communicates a balanced combination of medium tone with appreciable saturation, yielding a blue that reads lively in daylight and retains depth under incandescent light, and the hue falls within the classic Ceylon spectrum where blue leans toward a pure, slightly vivified cornflower tendency rather than the inky velvety saturation associated with classic Kashmir material. Compared to historic gems, this stone recalls the approachable clarity and mid tone brightness of many storied Ceylon pieces, while it differs from the deep, velvety presence of Kashmir sapphires and from the intensely saturated Burmese examples prized for their near royal blue. Where a landmark like the Logan Sapphire demonstrates how larger format and exceptional saturation create a museum scale presence, this 1.19 carat stone excels in the intimate optical dynamics of smaller gems, offering brisk facet scintillation and color dispersion that allows the wearer to enjoy constant lively fire, qualities that historic collectors valued for daily wearable pieces as much as for display.

From a practical and provenance standpoint this heat treated Ceylon sapphire represents a conventional and stable enhancement, heat treatment here has been applied to improve color uniformity and to clarify internal silk, the technique is widely accepted within the trade and when properly disclosed it preserves the integrity and durability of corundum. The Natural Sapphire Company sources and documents stones with attention to origin and treatment, and this example is notable for its combination of transparent clarity, excellent polish, and mixed brilliant faceting which together maximize visual performance for settings that emphasize center stone brilliance, such as a fine solitaire ring with a custom profile or a halo design that will amplify perceived size and color saturation. Mechanically corundum rates nine on the Mohs scale, making this sapphire suitable for everyday wear when set with standard protective considerations, and at 1.19 carats and the given proportions it offers an ideal balance between presence and practicality, a collectible piece that channels the historic allure of famous sapphires while delivering modern cut precision and documented origin through The Natural Sapphire Company.