0.80 Ct. Bi Color Sapphire from Ceylon (Sri Lanka)

This 0.80 carat, round shape, bi color sapphire embodies precise gemological attributes that appeal to an informed collector and connoisseur, The Natural Sapphire Company is pleased to present this specimen sourced from Ceylon Sri Lanka. The stone measures 5.87 x 5.84 x 3.08 mm, is fashioned in a mixed brilliant cut, and displays vivid color intensity with excellent polish. Clarity is graded as very slightly included, evaluated at eye level, and the material carries no enhancement. These specifications define both the objective quality and the practical behavior of the sapphire under viewing conditions, and they guide every subsequent decision from cutting to setting. The round outline and near equal diameters indicate a balanced girdle plane, while the 3.08 mm depth produces a depth to diameter ratio that was intentionally chosen to balance color saturation and light return in a bi color material. The mixed brilliant cutting style combines a faceted pavilion geometry with a crown arrangement optimized for spectral separation and scintillation, allowing the sapphire to present both its blue and yellow green components with clarity and vitality.

The journey of this sapphire begins in the alluvial terraces and residual gravels of Ceylon Sri Lanka, where gem bearing gravels are concentrated in specific horst and graben controlled drainages. The rough arrived with a combination of pleochroic zoning and occasional fine needle and crystal inclusions typical of low titanium, iron bearing corundum from Sri Lanka. In the rough, the color zoning suggested a bi color potential, with dichroic planes that could display blue from one direction and green to yellow from another. During initial assessment, the lapidary team mapped the pleochroic axes, inspected internal features under 10x magnification, and oriented the rough to minimize visible inclusions in the table and to preserve weight, resulting in the choice to retain a round outline. The cutter prioritized alignment of the principal pleochroic directions with the table facet axis so that viewers would observe a controlled color shift rather than a disorganized patchwork. This early geological and practical assessment phase determined that a mixed brilliant cut would be the most effective way to reconcile competing demands of color separation, weight retention, and light performance.

The cutting process employed for this sapphire emphasized facet geometry and optical symmetry, critical elements in transforming the rough into a market ready gem. The mixed brilliant cut uses a brilliant style crown with kite and star facets radiating from a table that was proportioned to allow both depth of color and strong scintillation. The pavilion was faceted in a modified brilliant arrangement to concentrate light return while also permitting internal reflection pathways that accentuate the dual hues. Exact facet angles were selected in response to the stone specific refractive index and pleochroism, with crown angles tightened to reduce washout of the yellow green component, and pavilion angles tuned to maximize return of the deeper blue. Facet junctions were carefully aligned to maintain optical symmetry, and facet proportions were adjusted in microns to control the balance between face up color saturation and brilliance. During polishing, the cutters used progressively finer laps to achieve an excellent polish, taking care to avoid introducing polish lines or rounding at facet junctions that would degrade contrast. The end result is a stone that displays strong facet definition, lively brilliance in motion, and a controlled bi color character that changes subtly as the viewing angle alters, all while preserving a clarity grade of very slightly included at eye level.

From a market perspective this sapphire represents an intersection of technical refinement and traceable provenance, attributes that The Natural Sapphire Company emphasizes for discerning buyers. The absence of enhancement certifies that the color and clarity are entirely natural, a key consideration for collectors and for applications where untreated sapphires are preferred. The gem is ideally suited to a design that leverages its bi color property, for example a solitaire with an open setting that permits viewing through both the crown and pavilion, or a custom mount that allows movement to reveal the color shift. For jewelry fabrication, the dimensions and round shape allow efficient seat setting while the mixed brilliant cut preserves scintillation under light. The modest weight of 0.80 carat and the vivid color intensity mean that the stone reads larger than its mass might suggest, particularly when set against white or neutral metal tones that emphasize the blue and green dichroism. Care recommendations include avoiding harsh thermal shock, routine cleaning in mild warm soapy water, and periodic professional inspection of the setting, to preserve polish and prevent mechanical damage to the girdle and facets.

Throughout its passage from the river gravels of Ceylon Sri Lanka to the bench of a master cutter and finally to the market offering, this sapphire was handled with an emphasis on documentation, ethical sourcing, and technical excellence. The Natural Sapphire Company provides provenance reporting and will assist with independent grading if desired, enabling buyers to verify the stated attributes and the untreated nature of the gem. For a collector who values geological origin, precise cutting technique, and a natural, vivid bi color effect, this sapphire provides a rare combination of controlled pleochroism, excellent polish, and careful facet engineering. Its technical profile invites a setting and style that highlight optical balance rather than concealment, making it an excellent candidate for bespoke commissions or for a technical minded buyer who appreciates both the science and the craft that determine how light and color are conserved and presented in a single, compact gemstone.