3.56 Ct. Blue Sapphire from Ceylon (Sri Lanka)

This 3.56 carat oval blue sapphire presents an exceptional combination of weight, proportions, and color, making it a standout choice for a collector or for use in a signature jewelry piece. The gem measures 8.72 x 7.53 x 6.30 mm, a size that reads larger on the finger than its carat weight alone might suggest, due to the elongated oval silhouette. Cut to a mixed brilliant facet arrangement, this sapphire balances large step facets on the pavilion with a brilliant style crown to optimize both color saturation and light return. The polish is graded excellent, which enhances surface luster and sharpness of facet junctions so that the vivid blue is seen with lively sparkle. The color intensity is vivid, a highly desirable grading for blue sapphires, with a medium to medium deep tone that preserves brightness while delivering strong saturation. The stone is heat treated, a stable and widely accepted enhancement that improves color uniformity and clarity without compromising long term stability when set and worn normally.

Clarity is described as very slightly included when evaluated at eye level, meaning the stone appears clean to unaided vision, with small natural inclusions visible only under magnification or careful inspection against a controlled background. For an educated buyer this is important, because eye clean appearance preserves both aesthetic appeal and market value, while the presence of minor inclusions can confirm natural origin and assist gemological verification. Origin is Ceylon Sri Lanka, a provenance with a long and respected history for producing some of the world s most desirable cornflower to vivid blue sapphires, known for their lively tone and a certain silky character in some specimens. Ceylon origin often carries premium market recognition for color nuance and appeal. The mixed brilliant cut and excellent polish work together to display the vivid color uniformly across the face of the gem, avoiding dark windows or uneven zoning, and maximizing face up area relative to its dimensions, which is especially valuable when choosing a center stone for an engagement ring or a high visibility pendant.

Durability is one of this sapphire s strongest selling points for daily wear in jewelry. Sapphire ranks at 9 on the Mohs scale of hardness, second only to diamond, which gives it excellent resistance to scratching in normal daily use. Sapphires also have good toughness and do not cleave easily, which reduces risk of breakage from typical knocks. Because this stone is only heat treated, which is a permanent and stable enhancement, it can be cleaned with warm soapy water and a soft brush or with routine professional ultrasonic cleaning without concern for solvent sensitive treatments. For routine daily wear I recommend secure settings that protect the girdle and pavilion, such as a well executed prong mounting with protective gallery work or a bezel setting for ring designs that will be subjected to heavy use. Avoid exposing the stone to strong chemical cleaners or to extreme temperature shock, and schedule a regular jewelry inspection to ensure prongs remain tight. At The Natural Sapphire Company we stand behind this sapphire with full disclosure of its provenance and treatments, and we can advise on ideal mounting options to preserve brilliance and durability for a lifetime of wear.