3.40 Ct. Bluish Green Sapphire from Madagascar

This exquisite oval bluish green sapphire from Madagascar weighs 3.40 carat, and measures 10.89 x 7.70 x 4.99 mm, presenting a length to width ratio of approximately 1.42, a proportion that offers an elegant elongation without sacrificing balance when set. The gem is fashioned in a mixed brilliant cut, and displays an intense color intensity with a clarity grade described as very slightly included, evaluated at eye level. The pavilion and crown exhibit an excellent polish, revealing crisp facet junctions and symmetrical alignment consistent with precision lapidary work. This sapphire has undergone standard heat treatment to enhance its hue and saturation, a stable and broadly accepted enhancement within the trade, and is offered by The Natural Sapphire Company with full disclosure of origin and treatment.

The mixed brilliant cut on this oval combines purposeful facet architecture to optimize both color saturation and light performance, with a modified brilliant arrangement on the crown to increase scintillation, and a carefully proportioned pavilion to manage light return and minimize leakage. The gem s depth measured against its average diameter produces an effective depth near fifty four percent, a proportion that increases apparent face up size while maintaining efficient internal reflections. The 10.89 mm length creates a generous face up presentation that reads larger than weight alone would suggest, and the elongated outline contributes to a flattering look in bezel and prong settings alike. The excellent polish indicates that facet planes were finished with minimal surface abrasion and well controlled lapidary technique, enhancing both brilliance and the perceived transparency of the stone.

Color parameters are a key characteristic of this sapphire, with a bluish green hue and intense saturation that presents as a rich teal in typical lighting conditions, and shifts subtly under varied illumination. The tone is firmly established in the medium to medium dark range, which maximizes color richness without becoming overly dark, allowing the stone to exhibit strong face up color while preserving lively internal reflections. Madagascar is known for producing corundum with unique trace element balances that influence bluish green coloration, and this specimen shows even color distribution that minimizes visible zoning at normal viewing distances. As with all corundum, pleochroism may be perceptible, revealing slightly different proportions of blue and green when viewed along different crystallographic orientations, a property that adds depth and complexity to the gem s appearance.

From a durability perspective this sapphire is exceptionally well suited to daily wear, corundum ranks nine on the Mohs hardness scale providing outstanding resistance to abrasion and surface wear for rings, bracelets, pendants, and earrings alike. The stone s toughness is strong relative to many other gem materials, meaning it resists chipping under typical wear conditions, however like all gemstones it should be protected from sharp heavy impacts and extreme thermal shock. The heat treatment applied is permanent and stable under normal conditions, and because the gem is free from filling or resin based enhancements it can be safely cleaned with warm soapy water and a soft brush. Ultrasonic and steam cleaning are generally acceptable for heat treated, included free corundum, although we recommend periodic professional inspection of the setting and surface by a qualified jeweler to ensure secure mounting. At The Natural Sapphire Company we recommend settings that protect the girdle and edges, such as secure prongs or a protective bezel for clients who lead active lifestyles, and we stand behind the cutting and finishing of this sapphire with documentation of origin and treatment.