5.16 Ct. Blue Sapphire from Ceylon (Sri Lanka)

This transparent 5.16 carat oval blue sapphire measures 11.02 x 9.02 x 6.09 mm, and it has been cut in a mixed brilliant style to balance fire and saturation. The stone displays vivid color intensity throughout the crown and pavilion, and it is graded as very very slightly included when evaluated at eye level. The surface finish is described as excellent polish, and enhancement has been applied in the form of heat treatment, a stable and commonly accepted practice to improve color and clarity in natural sapphires. The origin of this sapphire is Ceylon Sri Lanka, and this provenance is reflected in the characteristic cornflower to royal blue tones that remain even after the precision cutting and finishing processes undertaken by our gemological team at The Natural Sapphire Company.

The journey of this sapphire began in the alluvial deposits and weathered rock channels of Ceylon Sri Lanka, a region with a long established tradition of producing high quality corundum. Local miners recovered the rough crystal in a matrix of sand and clay, then transported it to a nearby lapidary hub for initial sorting. At that stage experienced sorters separated material by color, transparency, and crystal habit, identifying pieces with the potential to yield a clean, well colored finished gem. The particular rough that produced this oval piece showed a combination of even color distribution and sufficient size to permit an efficient mixed brilliant cutting plan, making it a candidate for precision faceting rather than heavy removal or recutting.

At the cutting table the lapidary made a deliberate decision to preserve weight while optimizing optical performance, resulting in the final dimensions and the 5.16 carat weight. The mixed brilliant cut was chosen to deliver strong light return while maintaining the vivid Ceylon blue that characterizes the rough. During the cutting and polishing stages inclusions that were present at a microscopic level were assessed for stability and placement, and the stone received an excellent polish to enhance surface luster and facet definition. A controlled heat treatment was applied in order to improve tone and evenness of color, a standard treatment in natural sapphire preparation that, when performed correctly, is permanent and stable. After treatment the stone underwent a thorough inspection to confirm the clarity grade as very very slightly included at eye level, and to document the visual attributes that will be of interest to jewelers and connoisseurs alike.

Upon completion of cutting and treatment the sapphire entered the quality assurance phase managed by The Natural Sapphire Company, where our gemological team conducted a final evaluation and photographic documentation. Precise measurements, weight verification, and color assessment were recorded, and professional imagery was produced to represent the stone accurately in different lighting conditions. The sapphire is presented as a versatile center stone for fine jewelry, suitable for a variety of settings due to its classic oval proportions and substantial presence on the finger. For clients seeking additional assurance we offer guidance on mounting options that protect the girdle and pavilion while showcasing the vivid blue color, and we provide information on care and handling to preserve the stone over time. The Natural Sapphire Company maintains custody and provenance records from the original Sri Lankan source through cutting and treatment to final presentation, and our team is available to provide further technical details or to discuss bespoke setting possibilities.