0.97 Ct. Pinkish Purple Sapphire from Madagascar

This cushion shape pinkish purple sapphire weighs 0.97 carat and measures 5.57 by 5.46 by 3.70 millimeters, the proportions yielding an approximate depth of 67 percent, a dimension that balances face up presence with strong light return. The gem is cut in a mixed brilliant style, combining a modified brilliant crown with a pavilion faceting scheme engineered to maximize internal reflection while preserving color saturation. Clarity is graded slightly included when evaluated at eye level, indicating small, stable inclusions that do not detract from the overall transparency or structural integrity. Color intensity is described as medium intense, giving the stone a lively presence while retaining a nuanced pink violet balance. This sapphire is untreated, no enhancement, and originates from Madagascar, a source known for producing a wide range of attractive pink and violet corundum varieties. The Natural Sapphire Company presents this stone as a collector grade piece for clients seeking natural color and classic craftsmanship.

The mixed brilliant faceting deserves close attention, because its geometry directly controls how the sapphire will perform across lighting conditions. The crown presents a series of kite and star facets that open the table and create broad reflective planes, while the pavilion facets are angled to return light through the table rather than leak it through the girdle, a common issue in shallow cuts. The faceting symmetry is precise, and the excellent polish ensures facet junctions remain crisp, minimizing light scatter at the surface. The crown height to pavilion depth ratio and the slightly rounded cushion outline work together to distribute light across the table and crown facets, producing a pattern of larger flashes interspersed with smaller scintillation. The girdle appears to be finely even, which will aid in secure, low profile settings without compromising optical performance. For buyers who evaluate cut as closely as color, this example demonstrates controlled facet engineering to highlight both hue and liveliness.

Color characterization is central to appreciating this sapphire, the hue sits in the pinkish purple range with medium intense chroma that reads as a pleasing violet overtone when viewed table up under cool daylight, and as a warm pinker tone under incandescent light. The color is evenly distributed across the pavilion and crown, with only subtle directional variation, which implies moderate pleochroism that can be used to advantage in orientation during setting. Because corundum has relatively low dispersion compared with diamond, the impression of sparkle will be dominated by color flashes and contrast created by the facet architecture rather than spectral fire. The medium intense saturation provides enough depth to read distinctly on the hand, while remaining versatile for a range of metal choices from warm yellow gold to cooler platinum and white gold. The slightly included clarity grade indicates small internal features, commonly needles or pinpoint crystals in Madagascar sapphires, however in this specimen these inclusions are positioned and sized so they do not significantly interrupt face up brilliance or create durability concerns.

Optical behavior under varied lighting environments is a practical consideration for purchase and for design choices in jewelry. In bright natural daylight, particularly under north light or diffuse overcast sky, the stone will express its purple aspects most clearly, exhibiting broad, even reflection across the table and a pleasing depth due to the well proportioned pavilion. Under direct midday sun the mixed brilliant cut produces stronger flashes and increased scintillation, while the medium intense color may appear slightly deeper as the eye integrates the strong returned light with the intrinsic hue. Under incandescent and halogen light sources the balance will shift toward the pink side of the spectrum, giving the sapphire a warmer presence and enhancing apparent saturation. Under cool LED lighting, especially higher color temperature bulbs, the stone will appear more violet, with crisp contrast between bright facet flashes and the deeper body color. In low light, the high polish and careful faceting will allow the gem to retain presence through contrast driven scintillation, while its modest dispersion means colorful fire will be subtle rather than prominent. For settings with overhead lighting, a shallower table orientation will accentuate broad flashes, and for intimate or candlelit environments a slightly deeper setting will help maintain color depth.

From a design and practical perspective this 0.97 carat cushion from Madagascar is well suited for a variety of mounting styles, because the moderate depth and even girdle facilitate secure prong work and allow bezel settings without excessive loss of face up color. The mixed brilliant cut rewards open settings that let light enter the crown from multiple angles, and the excellent polish helps the gem maintain surface brilliance even with daily wear. As this sapphire is unenhanced, it is an excellent choice for clients seeking natural provenance and honest material character, and The Natural Sapphire Company can provide guidance on ideal metal choice and setting orientation to optimize the balance between color and light performance. For those who emphasize optical precision, this stone combines traditional cushion silhouette with contemporary faceting control, producing a jewel that reads vibrantly on the hand and performs reliably across lighting conditions. Contact The Natural Sapphire Company for further details, exact photographic matching, and bespoke mounting recommendations.