1.12 Ct. Pinkish Brown Sapphire from Africa

This 1.12 carat oval pinkish brown sapphire from Africa is presented by The Natural Sapphire Company, and its proportions speak to deliberate lapidary intent, measuring 6.99 by 5.45 by 3.61 mm. The transparent body, intense color intensity, and very slightly included clarity when evaluated at eye level combine with an excellent polish to create a gem that is both durable and visually articulate. The mixed brilliant cut integrates a faceted crown that employs brilliant style facets, with a pavilion that balances step and brilliant elements, producing a controlled distribution of light across the oval outline. The stone has been heat treated, a standard and stable enhancement to improve color saturation and minimize internal veilings, while maintaining the integrity of corundum crystal structure.

From a structural optics perspective this sapphire capitalizes on corundum properties to maximize sparkle, the refractive index in sapphire near 1.76 to 1.77, coupled with low but perceptible dispersion of about 0.018, means that cut geometry is the primary driver of apparent brilliance and scintillation, rather than fire alone. The mixed brilliant design used here increases internal reflections by creating numerous small facet junctions on the crown and pavilion, enabling repeated total internal reflections that return light through the table and crown facets. The oval outline and the proportional pavilion depth preserve light return while avoiding excessive extinction, and the slightly elongated table encourages a scintillation pattern that reads as a string of light flashes during movement. Excellent facet symmetry and crisp facet junctions from the high quality polish reduce light leakage at the girdle and improve contrast effects, producing distinct flashes rather than a diffuse glow. Minor very slight inclusions act as pinpoints that can contribute to scintillation without interrupting optical continuity. Subtle pleochroism in pinkish brown sapphires can produce dynamic shifts in tone between the crown and pavilion views, and when paired with precise facet alignment this effect enhances the perception of depth and complexity. In short, craftsmanship in facet design, accurate proportions, and superior finishing yield a sparkle that is technically optimized, and this sapphire is a refined example of how structure and cut produce an unmatched visual performance.