1.27 Ct. Greyish Blue Sapphire from Ceylon (Sri Lanka)

This listing describes a transparent natural sapphire weighing 1.27 carats, presented in a classic oval shape with dimensions 6.98 by 5.69 by 3.75 millimeters. The stone has been cut to a mixed brilliant specification, combining a finely faceted brilliant crown with a carefully faceted pavilion, and it displays a medium intense greyish blue hue. Clarity is graded as slightly included when evaluated at normal viewing distance, and polish is excellent across all facets. The sapphire originated in Ceylon, now Sri Lanka, and has been heat treated to optimize color and reduce silk inclusions. The length to width ratio is approximately 1.23, and the depth relative to the average diameter is approximately 59 percent, a proportion that balances face up spread with light return. This gem has been selected and prepared by The Natural Sapphire Company to present an even, controlled color distribution and dependable optical performance in jewelry.

The mixed brilliant cut recipe on this oval is engineered to maximize light performance in a mid tone sapphire. The crown features a series of kite and triangular facets set to return white light and scintillation to the viewer, while the pavilion retains a modified step structure with smaller facets that act to deepen the body color and produce contrast patterning. Facet junctions are sharp and symmetry is consistent, factors that enhance facet contrast and lively scintillation rather than a single washed glare. With a refractive index in the range typical for corundum, near 1.76 to 1.77, the stone exhibits strong light bending that creates tight, bright flashes along the facet edges. Dispersion or fire is subtle given corundum chemistry, but because of the balanced cutting and excellent polish, the gem shows crisp white sparkle interspersed with cool blue flashes, especially when tilted under a bright point light source.

Clarity is slightly included at eye level, which in practice means small internal crystals and possibly fine feathers are present but are placed so as not to dominate the table view. These inclusions are common in natural sapphires and do not materially compromise toughness, particularly given sapphire hardness near nine on the Mohs scale. The heat treatment applied to this stone is a stable enhancement intended to clarify and slightly intensify the greyish blue tone, a routine and accepted practice for Ceylon material that improves visual appeal without affecting long term stability. Origin from Sri Lanka typically imparts a lighter, more luminous blue bias compared with richer deposits, and the subtle grey component in this stone gives a sophisticated, versatile character. The sapphire also displays mild pleochroism, showing slightly different blue intensities when viewed along different crystal axes, so orientation in a mounting can influence the perceived face up color and should be considered at the design stage.

Under varying lighting conditions this sapphire will present different, predictable personalities that a technically minded buyer will appreciate. In bright daylight, and particularly in cool north facing daylight, the medium intense greyish blue reads as fresh and moderately saturated, with crisp white scintillation from the mixed brilliant crown facets and a balanced depth of color from the pavilion. Direct sunlight increases contrast and scintillation, making the facet edges appear sharper and slightly deepening the perceived blue. Under warm incandescent light the grey component becomes more evident and the blue component appears softer and less saturated, producing a gentler, moodier look. Modern cool white LEDs will emphasize the blue component and enhance the lively, bluish flashes, while fluorescent lighting can flatten the color slightly and reduce the perceived depth. Candlelight and other low color temperature sources will mute the saturation and emphasize subtle white flashes over strong blue fire. For setting recommendations, an open pavilion or semi bezel that allows light to enter from the pavilion side will favor brilliance and color balance, and a four prong or low bezel prong mounting will present the oval face up while retaining light return. Given the excellent polish and balanced proportions, this sapphire performs well in both solitaire and halo settings. The Natural Sapphire Company invites you to request additional high resolution images or a short video under daylight and LED illumination to evaluate the stone in the lighting environment most relevant to your design.