3.11 Ct. Greenish Blue Sapphire from Madagascar

This beautiful transparent 3.11 carat emerald cut greenish blue sapphire measures 8.52 by 7.20 by 5.14 mm, and it exemplifies the balanced proportions and refined craftsmanship that discerning buyers seek. The emerald cut, with its long rectangular table and step facets, presents color and clarity in a sophisticated, architectural way, allowing the stone to show a broad, luminous face. At eye level the stone is classified as eye clean, meaning no inclusions are visible without magnification, which is particularly valuable in a step cut where inclusions can otherwise be more obvious. The color intensity is vivid, a rich and saturated greenish blue that shifts slightly with viewing angle and light source, giving it life and depth. The polishing is excellent, creating crisp facet junctions and a high degree of luster across the table and crown. This sapphire has been heat treated, a standard and widely accepted treatment in the trade used to enhance color and clarity. Origin is Madagascar, a region that in recent decades has produced many exceptional sapphires with vibrant hues and strong color zoning that appeal to both collectors and connoisseurs.

For an educated buyer assessing this gem, several technical and market factors support its value. The emerald cut is less common for sapphires than it is for diamonds, and it rewards the eye with its clarity and linear elegance. The eye clean clarity grade reduces the need for internal masking by settings, and allows for the use of open, low profile settings that expose the pavilion and enhance the stone's natural sparkle. Vivid color intensity in a greenish blue tone is relatively rare, sitting between classic cornflower blue and teal, and often commands a premium when the saturation is even and the tone remains lively. Madagascar origin is notable because deposits there have produced a wide range of high quality material, and well sourced Madagascan sapphires are highly regarded in the market. Heat treatment in sapphires is stable and permanent when properly done, and it is standard practice to disclose such treatment, which we do, because transparency and trust are essential to an educated purchase decision. With a hardness of nine on the Mohs scale, sapphire is highly durable for everyday wear, yet its step cut corners should be protected by prongs or a bezel to guard against impact.

When designing a custom piece around this 3.11 carat emerald cut greenish blue sapphire, there are several complementary gemstone pairings and metal choices that can elevate the visual impact. For a classic and highly luminous contrast, small brilliant or single cut white diamonds set as a halo or baguette shoulders will accentuate the sapphire's clean facets and mirror its step cut geometry, creating a refined, museum quality look. Baguette diamonds or tapered baguettes work particularly well because their step geometry parallels the sapphire's lines, offering a cohesive aesthetic. If the goal is to emphasize the green tones, accents of tsavorite garnet or small emeralds can be carefully matched to the sapphire to create a subtle gradation of greenish blues and greens, producing a rich, nature inspired palette. For a warmer, contemporary contrast, rose gold will introduce a gentle pink glow that warms the green component and will feel modern and romantic. For a cooler, more formal presentation, platinum or white gold will emphasize the blue character and make the overall piece gleam sharply under light. Consider a three stone ring with two tapered baguette diamonds on either side for balance, a low profile bezel for daily wear combined with high polish for the metal surfaces, or a pendant where the sapphire is set vertically so the elongated table draws the eye and reflects light along the neckline.

Beyond pairing alone, the setting choices will affect how the gem reads in color and brilliance. An open gallery and four prong setting will allow light to enter the pavilion, enlivening the vivid color, while a bezel or partial bezel will protect the corners of the emerald cut and offer a sleeker silhouette. A halo of micro pave diamonds will increase perceived size and sparkle, ideal for clients who desire maximum presence without increasing the center gem size. In bespoke earrings, matching the sapphire with small brilliant diamonds or blue spinel accents will create harmony and movement, while a pendant can be paired with a subtle chain that sits close to the collarbone to let the sapphire catch both daylight and evening light. For cufflinks or men’s jewelry, a pair of smaller step cut diamonds flanking the sapphire in a white gold or palladium mount imparts a refined and masculine balance. When selecting accompanying stones, consider clarity and cut that complement rather than compete with the step cut table. Clean, well matched accent stones will protect the aesthetic integrity of this emerald cut center.

As experts at The Natural Sapphire Company we stand behind the gemological details and the sourcing of this sapphire. We provide full disclosure of treatments and origin, and we can supply certification and imaging to support examination under magnification and different lighting conditions. For clients seeking long term value, this greenish blue tone, combined with eye clean clarity and excellent polish, offers a gemstone that is both wearable and collectible. We recommend settings that protect the step cut corners and maximize the stone's broad table for visual impact, and we are happy to collaborate on metal selection and accent stone choices that enhance the color and overall design. Our design team can create CAD renderings or physical prototypes so you can visualize the finished piece. This sapphire is an elegant, durable, and uncommon choice for a custom commission, appealing to buyers who appreciate precision, provenance, and the subtle interplay of color and light.