3.12 Ct. Bluish Purple Sapphire from Ceylon (Sri Lanka)

This loose sapphire is a 3.12 carat, transparent, Other certified violet sapphire from Ceylon Sri Lanka, presented in a cushion outline measuring 8.66 by 7.94 by 5.19 millimeters. Color is described as bluish purple with vivid intensity, and the stone is unenhanced, supplied exactly as mined and faceted, with no heat treatment or diffusion reported. Clarity is classified as very slightly included when evaluated at eye level, a grade that indicates only minor internal features that do not materially interrupt the gem’s overall visual performance. The polish has been assessed as excellent, which enhances edge crispness and facet contrast and contributes directly to the gem’s high surface brilliance and controlled light return. The Natural Sapphire Company certifies this material, providing provenance and gemological documentation consistent with the reported Ceylon origin and natural, untreated status.

Technically the gem is cut in a cushion silhouette using a mixed brilliant faceting schema, combining a brilliant-style crown with a pavilion that incorporates both step and modified brilliant elements. The result is a configuration that balances lively scintillation from the crown’s kite and star facets with deep color saturation produced by the pavilion terraces. Measured depth is 5.19 millimeters, yielding a depth ratio in the low sixties relative to the average diameter, a proportion range that generally optimizes light return in sapphires of this density. The mixed brilliant approach deliberately concentrates facets toward the pavilion to create a controlled field of flashing highlights while maintaining large, evenly proportioned crown facets to showcase the gem’s vivid bluish purple hue. Under directional light the stone demonstrates subtle color zoning and orientation-dependent color shifts typical of corundum, revealing slightly more blue tones at certain angles and richer violet at others, which adds dynamic visual interest in movement or when mounted in a ring.

From an inclusion and finish perspective, the very slightly included grade evaluated at eye level means the stone appears effectively clean in typical viewing conditions, with inclusions confined to small pinpoint crystals and fine silk or tiny healed fractures that do not detract from brilliance or stability. These internal characteristics are common to natural Ceylon sapphires and are often embraced as identifiers of natural origin, particularly when combined with an untreated status. The excellent polish and well-defined facet junctions indicate meticulous lapidary work, minimizing haze and maximizing facet contrast. For settings and jewelry design, the stone’s cushion outline and mixed faceting respond exceptionally well to open gallery settings that allow light to enter through the pavilion, enhancing saturation and scintillation. Prong settings with four to six well-placed claws or a partial bezel with an open back will preserve the stone’s brilliance while offering secure mounting. For designs favoring a more contemporary profile, a low-profile bezel with polished interior surfaces can emphasize the vivid color while protecting the girdle during daily wear.

Practical considerations for the buyer include the sapphire’s inherent durability, due to corundum’s 9 on the Mohs scale, making it suitable for both everyday rings and statement pieces intended for formal occasions. The gem’s vivid bluish purple tone reads differently depending on lighting, transitioning from saturated violet in incandescent or warm light to a slightly bluer cast in daylight or cooler LED sources, which makes it versatile across wardrobes and event types. In casual settings the stone sits comfortably as a center in a minimalist ring or pendant, where its color depth and faceting deliver an approachable yet refined presence. For formal applications the same optical attributes translate to high impact, where the cushion silhouette and mixed brilliant faceting create a scintillating focal point for cocktail rings, bespoke engagement designs, and heirloom commissions. The Natural Sapphire Company stands behind the gem’s origin and untreated status and can advise on setting styles, mounting parameters, and bespoke design options to maximize both aesthetic effect and long term wearable resilience. If you wish to explore mounting sketches, metal choices, or view comparison stones to see how lighting alters perceived hue and saturation, our gem specialists are available to provide calibrated imagery and technical guidance.