1.51 Ct. Blue Sapphire from West Africa

From the moment this sapphire first revealed itself in the West African soil, it embarked on a journey that blends geology, local knowledge, and meticulous human hands, a journey that the team at The Natural Sapphire Company is honored to share with you. Buried in rich mineral layers long before it was noticed, this stone matured under pressure and heat to become corundum, and when it emerged from the earth its deep blue potential was apparent. Artisanal miners and experienced sorters recognized a rough crystal whose internal structure and color zoning promised a gem of rare promise, and that promise carried forward through the careful handoff to our cutters. The result is a transparent 1.51 carat pear shape blue sapphire, a gem that retains the story of its origin while being transformed into a jewel ready to be worn and treasured.

The lapidary work that shaped this sapphire into a pear shape with a mixed brilliant cut was performed with a respect for both the raw material and the final wearer. Measuring 8.89 by 5.78 by 3.88 mm, the stone balances presence and elegance, with proportions chosen to maximize light return from the crown while preserving weight and color saturation. Its mixed brilliant faceting pattern draws light into the deep, vivid blue body color and sends flashes of lighter blue through the pavilion, and the excellent polish allows each facet to sing. At eye level the clarity is described as very slightly included, which means the stone reads as clean to the eye while still retaining tiny natural characteristics that confirm its natural origin. Importantly, this sapphire is unenhanced, showing its vivid color intensity as it exists in nature, with no heat treatment or other modifications applied.

When considering durability, sapphire occupies a unique place among gemstones, and comparing its hardness on the Mohs scale helps explain why. Sapphire is corundum and rates 9 on the Mohs scale, second only to diamond which rates 10. This places sapphire well above many other popular gems, for example topaz at about 8, quartz including amethyst and citrine at about 7, and emeralds which typically fall around 7.5 to 8 but often display internal weaknesses because of inclusions. The implication for wear is clear, a 9 on the Mohs scale means that this blue sapphire resists scratches from daily contact with most other materials and will retain its polished facets and mirrorlike finish far longer than softer stones. That said, no gemstone is invincible, and because sapphires can still chip or fracture under hard blows or improper prong settings, we recommend secure settings, especially for pointed or exposed tips of pear shapes, and occasional professional checks of prongs and mountings. For everyday wear, a well set sapphire such as this one offers outstanding longevity and minimal maintenance compared with many other colored gemstones.

Beyond the technical qualities this sapphire carries stories of place, tradition, and design potential that make it a living piece of history. Sapphires have been symbols of wisdom, protection, and fidelity across cultures and eras, and this vivid West African stone brings that heritage into contemporary jewelry with a modern honesty due to its unenhanced state. Visualize it as a solitaire drop pendant where the pear shape elongates the neckline, as the central stone in a bespoke engagement ring with protective prongs over the tip, or as matched earrings paired with softer diamonds to accentuate its vivid blue. At The Natural Sapphire Company we support thoughtful design choices and can advise on settings that both flatter this sapphire and protect it, while also providing certification and provenance details so you know its journey from West Africa to your hands. If you would like further images, close up views under different lighting, or bespoke setting recommendations, we are here to guide you through each step of making this exceptional sapphire part of your story.