4.04 Ct. Blue Sapphire from Ceylon (Sri Lanka)

This 4.04 carat oval blue sapphire began its journey in the classic alluvial deposits of Ceylon, Sri Lanka, a source long revered for producing sapphires with lively blue hues and excellent crystalline integrity. The stone was recovered from a carefully managed mine where manual sieving and strategic blasting are used to preserve crystal form and minimize breakage. From the moment the rough was surfaced, the piece was documented by field gemologists, photographed, and entered into a chain of custody that The Natural Sapphire Company maintains to protect provenance. The rough presented with a dense blue zoning and fine rutile silk dispersed in orientations that hinted at strong blue saturation once oriented correctly. Initial rough assessment prioritized retention of weight while optimizing the directional color, so the crystal axis was analyzed with polarized light and loupe microscopy to establish the ideal cutting planes. The selection process emphasized material continuity and optical potential rather than simple yield, a choice that ultimately supports vivid color intensity and optical performance in the finished stone.

The cutting strategy for this oval sapphire employed a mixed brilliant approach, marrying a brilliant facet arrangement on the crown to a tailored pavilion geometry that moderates light leakage and enhances color return. The cutter executed a precise outline to achieve a length to width ratio of approximately 1.29, resulting in final dimensions of 10.56 x 8.16 x 5.19 mm. The average diameter used for depth calculations produces a depth to diameter ratio of about 55.45 percent, a proportion that balances internal reflection and face up area for saturated color. Facet junctions were aligned to minimize windowing, with pavilion facets calibrated to redirect light into the crown and produce scintillation across the entire table. Crown facet angles were adjusted to complement the pavilion layout, producing a broad, even flash rather than isolated brilliance. The mixed brilliant cut chosen here intentionally distributes brilliance and color evenly, so that the vivid blue intensity remains consistent when viewed at typical jewelry angles, while still delivering lively dispersion and pinpoint scintillation at oblique viewing angles.

Following cutting, the sapphire underwent standard heat treatment to stabilize and enhance its color and clarity characteristics, a well established practice for corundum that is disclosed and expected in the trade. Heating was conducted under controlled laboratory conditions, with thermal cycling applied to dissolve localized silk and to optimize tone and saturation, without altering the material integrity. The stone was then evaluated by our gemological team, who graded its clarity as very very slightly included when evaluated at eye level, indicating that inclusions are minimal and do not materially affect the visual performance or durability of the gem. Under magnification fine silk and a few pinpoint inclusions are present, contributing to the internal character of the stone while remaining unobtrusive to the naked eye. The polish is excellent, achieved by meticulous lap work and final polishing with diamond and oxide compounds, resulting in crisp facet junctions and a smooth, reflective table. The excellent polish enhances face up brightness and allows the vivid color to read cleanly through the crown, providing both depth and lively energy.

As the finished gem prepared for market, The Natural Sapphire Company documented its specifications and provenance, creating a dossier that accompanies the sapphire to final placement. The dossier records weight, dimensions, cut style, clarity grade, enhancement method, origin as Ceylon, Sri Lanka, and the measured proportions that influence wearability and setting choices. The stone photographs well under balanced lighting, showing saturated, vivid blue with even distribution across the face and attractive contrast between facet planes. In practical terms the oval mixed brilliant profile and the 10.56 x 8.16 x 5.19 mm dimensions make this sapphire highly versatile for bespoke ring designs and substantial pendant settings, where the depth and facet architecture will interact sympathetically with various mounting styles. The Natural Sapphire Company stands behind the gemological observations and the documented history, offering guidance on settings that will showcase the vivid color and preserve the stone for generations. For collectors and connoisseurs who value technical excellence and traceable provenance, this 4.04 carat Ceylon sapphire represents a confluence of geological pedigree, expert cutting, discreet enhancement, and precise finishing, ready to enter a custom creation that will express its full optical potential.