0.71 Ct. Pinkish Purple Sapphire from Ceylon (Sri Lanka)

One transparent 0.71 carat emerald cut pinkish purple sapphire from Ceylon, Sri Lanka, is presented here with measured dimensions of 5.67 by 3.91 by 3.44 millimeters, a clarity grade of very slightly included evaluated at eye level, medium intense color saturation, and an excellent polish. This stone is unenhanced, retaining its natural color and optical character, and it exemplifies the attributes The Natural Sapphire Company prioritizes when sourcing and presenting fine sapphires. The emerald cut was chosen to emphasize the stone facing color, and the proportions deliver a measured face up presence appropriate for a refined solitaire or a low profile setting. The combination of size, shape, and clarity yields a gem that reads clearly on the finger, while maintaining the precise, crisp facet definition expected from an expertly finished step cut.

The emerald cut, with its long step facets and broad table, produces a distinctive pattern of light return that differs from faceting styles designed primarily for scintillation. Instead of a multitude of small pinpoint flashes, this cut produces larger, more architectural flashes and broad windows of color. Given the stone is transparent and very slightly included at eye level, those windows remain clean and uninterrupted, allowing the pinkish purple tone to present a steady, even face up color. The excellent polish intensifies the mirror like facet junctions, so reflections remain crisp and well defined. Because step cuts reduce internal facet contrast, the viewer perceives the sapphire as a coherent field of color punctuated by clean reflective planes, a quality that favors wearers who prefer elegant clarity and color focus over high contrast sparkle.

When compared to other sapphires and gemstones in the corundum family, the reflective character of this Ceylon pinkish purple sapphire is distinct in several ways. Sapphires cut in brilliant or mixed styles, which are commonly used for blue sapphires, return light with greater scintillation and a dynamic play between dark and light areas, creating a more lively impression at the expense of a continuous color wash. Kashmir and certain highly saturated Ceylon blue sapphires can appear to glow from within, a phenomenon owing to a combination of velvety body color and specific cutting choices that maximize internal diffusion and contrast. By contrast, this emerald cut purple sapphire emphasizes evenness of hue and a calm, controlled light return, rather than competing flashes. Compared to spinel and tourmaline, which can show strong single color flashes and a higher degree of lively scintillation when faceted with many small facets, the step cut sapphire reads as more composed and less energetic. Tanzanite, another gem that occupies a similar color space at times, typically exhibits pronounced pleochroism, showing different colors from different viewing angles. This sapphire displays a stable pinkish purple identity face up, with less dramatic color shift, and the emerald cut further moderates any pleochroic effects by presenting a broad window into the stone.

From a technical optics perspective, corundum has a relatively high refractive index and strong vitreous luster, which contributes to a clear and bright faceted appearance despite lower dispersion than gems like diamond. This inherent refractive behavior enables well cut sapphires to exhibit a polished, glass like reflectivity and sustained color intensity, rather than a profusion of spectral fire. In practice, the emerald cut enhances these attributes by producing broad reflective planes and a steady color field, making the pinkish purple hue of this stone appear rich and concentrated. For buyers familiar with other sapphire cuts, the comparison is straightforward. A brilliant cut sapphire will catch the eye with lively motion, a cushion cut can balance color and sparkle, and a step cut like this one privileges saturation and clarity. The untreated Ceylon origin of this sapphire adds another dimension to its optical appeal, as Sri Lankan sapphires often possess a particular luminosity and clean color distribution that read well in step cuts. The result is a gem that reflects light in a manner that conveys depth of color and crisp facet definition, rather than a busy array of pinpoints of light.

For practical use and design, the reflective qualities of this emerald cut pinkish purple sapphire recommend settings that allow for an unobstructed view of the table and step facets, ensuring the stone presents its consistent color and refined flashes when worn. A classic solitaire setting, a low bezel that preserves the step facet geometry, or a minimal halo that complements without overwhelming, are suitable choices. Metal selection will influence perceived color, with warm metals such as yellow or rose gold subtly enhancing the pink tones, and white metals such as platinum or white gold producing a more neutral, cooler presentation. Routine care is straightforward, as corundum is hard and durable enough for everyday wear, but as with all gemstones, abrasive contact should be avoided to preserve the excellent polish. The Natural Sapphire Company guarantees that this stone is natural and unenhanced, and its Ceylon provenance and very slightly included clarity contribute to both its aesthetic qualities and its long term desirability. In sum, the emerald cut, the measured proportions, the medium intense pinkish purple color, and the untreated origin combine to produce a sapphire whose reflective behavior is reserved, elegant, and color forward, offering a distinctive alternative to more scintillation focused stones within the sapphire category.