3.03 Ct. Blue Sapphire from Ceylon (Sri Lanka)

This transparent blue sapphire weighs 3.03 carats, and measures 9.30 by 7.51 by 4.26 millimeters, and it is cut in a classic emerald shape. The overall proportions reflect a controlled pavilion depth and a broad table, which are characteristic of an emerald cut intended to emphasize color and clarity rather than maximum scintillation. The clarity grading at very very slightly included was evaluated at eye level, indicating minimal internal features that do not disrupt the gem face up, and the stone exhibits excellent polish with crisp facet junctions and smooth facet planes. Origin is Ceylon Sri Lanka, and there has been no enhancement, which preserves the natural crystal lattice and chemical zoning that are prized by collectors and connoisseurs. The Natural Sapphire Company presents this piece as an example of precision cutting applied to a medium intense blue, where the cutter has prioritized light control and color distribution to achieve a balanced face up appearance.

The emerald cut faceting translates to a sequence of parallel step facets on the crown and pavilion, producing a layered optical effect often described as a hall of mirrors. Unlike brilliant cuts which fragment light into dispersed spectral flashes, the step cut emphasizes broad flashes of tone and directional light return, so the visual dynamics are more about planes of blue transitioning in tone than about pinpoint sparkle. The broad table allows a clear window into the interior, making the very very slightly included clarity grade an advantage because inclusions remain inconspicuous. The excellent polish contributes to strong surface reflection and high external luster, and the well executed facet symmetry ensures that light is guided predictably through the stone, minimizing unwanted light leakage along the girdle and optimizing face up color saturation. The cutter has maintained tight facet geometry at the culet and crown edge to preserve contrast between the step facets, which enhances the perceived depth of color and the quality of the internal reflections.

Under varying lighting conditions this Ceylon sapphire displays articulate and explainable behavior due to its medium intense color and step faceting. In cool natural daylight the stone generally reads as a clear cornflower to medium blue with a slight silvery overtone, because daylight provides a balanced spectral distribution that accentuates the stone color without shifting hue. Direct sunlight will increase the stone brightness and reveal more transparent areas, producing brighter, paler flashes around the table and crown edges as transmitted light scatters through the pavilion steps. Under warm incandescent light the blue may take on a subtle shift toward violet leaning tones, because the relative increase in red wavelengths interacts with the chromium and iron absorptions in the corundum matrix. Under modern LED sources the appearance depends on the color temperature of the lamp, with neutral 4000 to 5000 Kelvin LEDs approximating daylight and cooler LEDs enhancing the stone clarity and cooler blue, while warmer LEDs emphasize depth and richness but may slightly mute perceived saturation. Fluorescent light will often flatten contrast and reduce perceived richness, while candlelight and other localized point sources will produce narrow, concentrated flashes along facet edges, creating an intimate and luxurious sparkle even in a step cut.

For practical use and setting considerations the emerald cut geometry and the dimensions 9.30 by 7.51 by 4.26 millimeters make this sapphire well suited to a variety of fine jewelry applications, including as a substantial ring center stone or as the focal element in a bespoke pendant. The medium intense color paired with excellent polish and very very slightly included clarity allows for open prong settings that maximize light admission and maintain a lively face up presentation, or a low bezel for secure daily wear while preserving the stone table and visible depth. Because there has been no enhancement, this natural Ceylon material will be predictable in long term stability and care, and its origin contributes to its market desirability among technically minded buyers who value provenance and untreated color. The Natural Sapphire Company stands behind the cutting and selection of this gem, and we recommend consulting with one of our gem specialists to determine the ideal mounting to exploit the stone optical characteristics, including orientation to control pleochroic variation, crown exposure to enhance face up color, and complementary metal choices to frame the medium intense blue without overpowering it.