1.13 Ct. Padparadscha Sapphire from Ceylon (Sri Lanka)

This padparadscha sapphire presents as a beautifully transparent, 1.13 carat oval, with exact dimensions of 7.39 x 5.78 x 2.95 mm, a mixed brilliant cut, and a clarity grade noted as very slightly included when evaluated at eye level. The color reads as classic padparadscha, a delicate but intense balance of pink and orange that sits between the warmer salmon tones and the softer peach hues, with an overall color intensity assessed as intense. The pavilion and crown have been faceted to a mixed brilliant scheme, allowing for both lively scintillation and controlled color saturation, and the polish has been judged excellent, producing crisp facet junctions and lively reflection return. Importantly for collectors and connoisseurs, this stone is natural and untreated, with no enhancement reported, and its origin is Ceylon Sri Lanka, a region historically and scientifically linked to some of the finest padparadscha specimens, a provenance that materially influences desirability and value.

The journey of this sapphire begins in the gem gravels of Sri Lanka, where small scale and artisanal miners in regions such as Ratnapura have for centuries recovered corundum in riverine deposits, working with an eye for color and crystal form that modern buyers now prize. Rough material with padparadscha hue is rare in any pocket, and each parcel is hand sorted by experienced local cutters and dealers before it is sent to specialized lapidaries. For this particular oval, the cutter made a deliberate choice to employ a mixed brilliant design, a strategy used to preserve weight and the unique padparadscha tone while optimizing sparkle and light return. The cutting and cutting angles reflect a conscious trade off, maintaining the 2.95 mm depth to produce stable light performance without letting the tone become too dark or uneven. After cutting and a meticulous polish, the gem was submitted to our gemological team at The Natural Sapphire Company, where it underwent close visual examination and standard testing protocols to confirm transparency, the absence of heat or other common enhancements, and the Ceylon origin based on inclusions, crystal habit, and other locality indicative features. Throughout the supply chain this sapphire was handled with deliberate care, with clear chain of custody and ethical sourcing practices consistent with our stated procurement standards.

For the educated buyer seeking an investment quality padparadscha, several factors elevate this example. First, the combination of an intense padparadscha color and natural, untreated status is uncommon, and that natural origin without enhancement carries a premium among both connoisseurs and gem graders. Second, the clarity grade of very slightly included at eye level indicates that the stone presents to the naked eye with excellent visual cleanliness while preserving natural internal characteristics that support origin determination and authenticity. Third, the 1.13 carat weight in an oval format of 7.39 x 5.78 x 2.95 mm is highly practical for fine jewelry design, providing a balance between presence and wearability for rings or bespoke pendants, with the mixed brilliant cut enhancing both brilliance and face up color, and the excellent polish ensuring crisp, lively reflections. As corundum, sapphire rates nine on the Mohs hardness scale, offering day to day durability when set properly, while requiring only sensible care to maintain surface polish and avoid knocks. From an investment perspective, natural padparadscha from Ceylon, with documented no enhancement, appeals to collectors given the limited supply and sustained market interest in untreated colored stones. At The Natural Sapphire Company we present this gem with full technical detail and hands on support, and we welcome inquiries about matching settings, technical reports, and any additional photos or viewing arrangements you require, to ensure this sapphire meets both your aesthetic expectations and your standards for gemological integrity.