2.23 Ct. Bi Color / Parti Sapphire from Ceylon (Sri Lanka)

This finely faceted oval sapphire from The Natural Sapphire Company is a striking example of a bi color or parti sapphire, weighing 2.23 carats, with dimensions of 8.77 by 5.95 by 5.47 millimeters. The gem is faceted in a mixed brilliant style, combining a brilliant cut crown with a faceted pavilion to balance scintillation and depth of color. The clarity is described as very slightly included, evaluated at eye level, which indicates small internal features that do not materially detract from transparency or brilliance for normal wear. The color intensity is classified as intense, creating a vivid presentation where the blue and lighter tones sit in harmonious contrast. The polish is rated excellent, and the stone has been heat treated, a stable and commonly accepted enhancement in the trade that brings out the best of the sapphire palette. The origin is Ceylon, Sri Lanka, a provenance that is widely respected among collectors and connoisseurs for producing lively and clean blue tones, and this provenance is part of the value proposition we present at The Natural Sapphire Company.

From a gemological standpoint, this sapphire is corundum, with a hardness of nine on the Mohs scale, which makes it an excellent choice for daily wear in rings and other jewelry that will be worn regularly. The refractive index for corundum falls in the range of 1.762 to 1.770, and the specific gravity is approximately 4.00, characteristics that contribute to the stone feeling substantial and displaying strong light return. Parti sapphires display color zoning that arises from variations in trace elements such as iron and titanium, and in some cases manganese, which influence the absorption of light and the resulting hues. The mixed brilliant cut has been chosen to maximize the contrast between the blue and the paler zones, allowing the gem to display both lively flash and smooth color fields. The length to width ratio of approximately 1.47 provides an elegant oval silhouette that is neither overly long nor too squat, appealing to traditional preferences for balanced proportions. The depth to average diameter ratio for this stone is slightly on the deep side, which tends to enhance saturation and richness of color, while producing a substantial pavilion that contributes to light return when mounted appropriately.

The heritage of sapphires, and of parti sapphires in particular, is long and varied, and it is a meaningful part of why collectors and discerning buyers seek out stones like this one. Historically, sapphires were worn by clergy, royalty, and nobility across many cultures as symbols of purity, wisdom, and protection. In Sri Lanka, known historically as Ceylon, corundum has been mined for centuries, and stones from these mines were frequently incorporated into royal regalia and devotional objects. Parti sapphires have a more recent but no less significant history, appearing in Victorian and early 20th century jewelry where bi color stones were prized for their unique visual character and for the ability to coordinate with different metals and accent stones. The dual nature of a parti sapphire makes it particularly versatile in design, allowing a single gem to read as both formal and informal depending on setting and styling. For buyers who value items with provenance and a story, this stone connects modern gemology and craftsmanship with a lineage of use that spans continents and centuries, a narrative that The Natural Sapphire Company is pleased to preserve and share.

For the educated buyer, the practical considerations that determine value are straightforward, and this stone checks many important boxes. The carat weight of 2.23 carats coupled with intense color and very slightly included clarity places the gem in a category that is both desirable and wearable. The heat treatment is fully disclosed, and it is important to note that heat treatment to enhance blue tones is an accepted practice throughout the trade when properly documented, because it is stable and does not require ongoing care beyond normal jewelry maintenance. The measurements indicate a gem with a face up size that is balanced by a deeper pavilion, and this geometry emphasizes saturation, which is a key factor in perceived value for colored stones. For a purchaser planning a bespoke commission, the mixed brilliant cut and the oval format allow a wide range of settings, from classic four prong solitaires that showcase the parti character, to halo or three stone settings that can be adjusted to highlight either the blue or the paler end of the spectrum. At The Natural Sapphire Company we recommend pairing this sapphire with neutral or warm metals to complement the lighter tones and to provide contrast to the blue, and we provide documentation and imaging to assist in design decisions. For those assessing value, this sapphire represents a combination of attractive carat weight, vivid color, transparent clarity, and respected origin, and it offers a compelling option for collectors and clients seeking a piece with both aesthetic distinction and a traceable heritage.