1.28 Ct. Blue Sapphire from Ceylon (Sri Lanka)

This 1.28 carat cushion shape blue sapphire from Ceylon presents a compelling combination of size, color, and craftsmanship, offered by The Natural Sapphire Company. Measuring 6.71 x 5.44 x 3.94 millimeters, the stone has been fashioned in a mixed brilliant cut that combines step and brilliant facets to maximize both color and scintillation. The color intensity is described as intense, a deep yet lively blue that translates beautifully in both studio photography and on the hand, and the polish has been finished to an excellent standard so that facet junctions remain clean and reflective. This sapphire has been heat treated to enhance color and clarity, a widely accepted and stable enhancement in the trade which is fully disclosed by The Natural Sapphire Company as part of our commitment to transparent gemstone documentation.

The mixed brilliant cushion cut is particularly well suited to this sapphire, because it balances the need to retain as much weight as possible from the rough, while creating a vibrant face up appearance that reads larger than its carat weight might suggest. With a depth of 3.94 millimeters against an average diameter of approximately 6.07 millimeters, the stone displays an approximate depth of 65 percent, a proportion that helps the pavilion facets return color to the eye while preserving brightness across the table. The interplay between the crown and pavilion facets in a mixed brilliant cut produces lively flashes of light and color, and the cushion outline softens the stone on the finger while allowing strong central color concentration. The result is a gemstone that sits with presence in a variety of mounting styles, from classic four prong solitaire settings to more contemporary halo designs where the intense color will be complemented by surrounding accent stones.

Clarity for this sapphire is graded as very slightly included, evaluated at eye level, which means that to the unaided eye the gem appears clean and free of distracting flaws while still retaining natural internal characteristics that testify to its origin and formation. Those internal features are not defects to be feared, but unique identifiers that add character and provenance to the gem. Minute pinpoint crystals, fine silk like rutile threads, and subtle growth zoning can occur in Ceylon sapphires, and in this example these inclusions are modest and discreet. Under magnification they form a pattern of internal fingerprints that a trained gemologist can use to confirm identity and to match the stone to laboratory reports. These natural inclusions interact with light in a way that often enhances the gem s depth and vitality, creating unique flashes and internal reflections that a completely inclusionless synthetic stone would lack.

Origin matters to knowledgeable buyers because geological source is a key factor in a sapphire s aesthetic and market value, and this sapphire s provenance in Ceylon Sri Lanka is a desirable attribute. Sri Lankan sapphires are known for their clear, saturated blues that combine brilliance with a slightly lighter, more lively tone than some other origins, and the intense color of this particular stone sits squarely within that tradition while reading richer due to expert cutting and heat treatment. Heat treatment in Sri Lankan stones is a standard practice used to remove silk and to deepen color without compromising structural integrity, and when performed by experienced lapidaries it enhances durability and color stability for everyday wear. With a hardness of nine on the Mohs scale and excellent polish, this sapphire is well suited to rings, pendants, and other pieces intended for regular use, and The Natural Sapphire Company provides full disclosure on both origin and enhancement to allow collectors and connoisseurs to make informed decisions.

For the educated buyer seeking a balance of gemological quality and aesthetic appeal, this 1.28 carat cushion blue sapphire represents a thoughtful acquisition. Its intense color intensity, eye clean presentation, and mixed brilliant cushion cutting offer a combination of desirable buying characteristics, while the natural inclusions provide a fingerprint of origin that enhances long term value and traceability. The subtly larger face up appearance and excellent polish mean the stone will wear with presence on the hand, as illustrated in the photographic images showing its proportional scale on a finger. The Natural Sapphire Company stands behind the piece with transparent documentation, and we welcome inquiries about setting recommendations, independent grading options, and custom design to create an heirloom quality jewel that highlights this sapphire s unique character.