7.28 Ct. Blue Cabochon Sapphire from Ceylon (Sri Lanka)

This gemstone is a transparent 7.28 carat cushion shaped blue sapphire with exact dimensions of 10.42 by 10.37 by 6.63 millimeters, offered and described by The Natural Sapphire Company. The piece has been fashioned using a sugar loaf style, which produces a distinctive domed profile with a pyramidal crown feature that concentrates light into a central apex. The material originates from Ceylon Sri Lanka, a provenance noted for producing sapphires with lively chroma and a distinct cornflower to vivid blue character, and the stone has undergone standard heat enhancement to stabilize and intensify the blue hue while preserving natural inclusions and structural integrity. Transparency is high for a sugar loaf example, allowing for appreciable internal light transmission and measurable brilliance under direct illumination, and the surface shows an excellent polish that yields high gloss and crisp reflection, qualities that are immediately evident in hand inspection.

In terms of cutting and faceting the sugar loaf form on this cushion, the lapidary has retained a broad rounded girdle while defining a shallow faceted crown that converges to a shallow roof facet or apex, and the pavilion is gently domed rather than sharply faceted, promoting a soft internal reflection pattern rather than the strong scintillation typical of brilliant cut sapphires. The cutter preserved near square proportions, 10.42 by 10.37 millimeters, which balances face up presence with depth of 6.63 millimeters such that the stone reads larger than its carat weight might suggest for faceted equivalents. Symmetry is consistent with hand finished work, the apex is centered within acceptable tolerance and the transitions at the girdle are smooth and uniform, attributes that contribute to even light distribution and minimize the appearance of windowing. The polish quality was achieved through progressive laps and diamond abrasives, culminating in a mirror like finish that enhances the intensity of the transmitted color and accentuates the sugar loaf silhouette in both static display and in wearable contexts.

Color and clarity characteristics are central to the appeal of this Ceylon sapphire, the stone exhibiting vivid color intensity with a saturated pure blue to slightly violet biased blue that is characteristic of Sri Lankan material when heated. Color saturation is concentrated towards the center of the stone with gentle gradient at the edges, a pleasing distribution for the sugar loaf profile that yields vibrant color face up without excessive darkening. Clarity is graded as slightly included when evaluated at eye level, which in practice signifies the presence of fine silk and minor needle like or feather type inclusions that do not materially detract from the gem s aesthetic or durability, but do provide natural fingerprinting that confirms the stone s origin and natural formation. Under directional lighting the stone shows subtle pleochroic behavior, with the strongest absorption occurring on the primary blue axis and a modest shift toward cooler tones on orthogonal axes, a characteristic that experienced setters and designers can exploit by orienting the apex to maximize desired hue in the finished piece. Heat treatment has been applied, a controlled process that reduces the prominence of rutile silk and enhances chromophore activation, the result being improved transparency and more saturated blue without introduction of foreign materials, and the treatment is stable under normal wear conditions when set and cared for properly.

From a craftsmanship and setting perspective this sugar loaf cushion is best showcased with design considerations that respect its profile and optical behavior. Bezel settings provide protection for the rounded girdle and the domed crown while allowing the apex and central color flash to remain visible, whereas open backed designs or low profile prong mounts can be used when maximal transmission and light return are desired, particularly in ring or pendant applications where direct light will animate the internal reflections. Given the stone s 7.28 carat weight and manageable dimensions, it is well suited to a statement solitaire or to a halo composition where accent stones enhance perceived size and color contrast. The Natural Sapphire Company recommends an orientation that aligns the pyramidal crown axis with the primary viewing plane to maximize the intense face up color, and advises routine cleaning with warm soapy water and a soft brush, avoiding thermal shock and harsh chemicals to preserve the polish and the integrity of the heat treatment. Documentation regarding origin treatment and measured proportions can be provided on request, and our gemological specialists are available to advise on mounting options or to prepare bespoke settings that maintain the technical and aesthetic virtues inherent in this fine Ceylon sugar loaf sapphire.