1.13 Ct. Pink Sapphire from Madagascar

This cushion shape pink sapphire weighs 1.13 carat and measures 6.06 x 5.16 x 4.08 millimeters, presenting a compact profile that balances density and surface area. The gem is transparent, with a mixed brilliant cut that combines a faceted crown optimized for light entry and a pavilion pattern that recovers and returns light to the observer. Clarity is described as very very slightly included when evaluated at eye level, indicating minimal internal features that do not materially interfere with visual performance under normal wear. Color is vivid in intensity, a saturated pink that remains stable across viewing angles, and the finish is an excellent polish, producing clean facet junctions and sharp facet planes. The sapphire is heat treated, an established enhancement that refines color saturation and visual clarity, and its documented origin is Madagascar, a locality known for producing vibrant, well formed corundum specimens. The Natural Sapphire Company provides these measured specifications as part of the gem’s presentation, ensuring transparency about cut, clarity, color, treatment, and provenance.

The exceptional sparkle of this sapphire derives fundamentally from the intrinsic optical properties of corundum combined with precise lapidary work. Corundum is aluminum oxide in a trigonal crystal system, and its atomic lattice produces a refractive index in the range of approximately 1.762 to 1.770. This relatively high refractive index governs the degree to which light entering the stone is bent, trapped, and ultimately reflected back through the crown. Corundum also exhibits low dispersion compared with diamond, yet the interplay of refractive power and facet geometry can still create pronounced fire and scintillation, especially in stones with saturated coloration that retain strong contrast between light and dark facets. Birefringence in sapphire is slight, typically around 0.008, so pleochroic behavior can be present but moderate in pink varieties, contributing to color variation under different orientations without fragmenting light in a way that diminishes brilliance. The result is a balance between broad, vivid color and controlled internal light behavior, so that brightness and color remain coherent rather than washed out or overly fragmented.

The mixed brilliant cut executed on this cushion shape is a deliberate response to these material properties, designed to maximize light return and scintillation for a gem of this size and color intensity. The crown facet arrangement is tuned to capture incident light and refract it toward the pavilion, while the pavilion angles are cut to reflect that light back through the table and crown facets. In a well cut mixed brilliant cushion, the combination of step like girdle facets and smaller brilliant style facets at the pavilion creates a dynamic interplay of large flashes and fine pin point scintillation. The 6.06 by 5.16 by 4.08 millimeter proportions are favorable for this approach, producing a pavilion depth that enables internal reflection without creating a window that would reduce apparent color saturation. The excellent polish further enhances sparkle by minimizing microscopic surface irregularities that scatter light. Additionally, the clarity grade of very very slightly included means internal features are few and discreet, so light paths are not substantially interrupted, allowing for continuous, lively return of light. Heat treatment, when applied appropriately, can reduce certain internal features and homogenize color zoning, thereby improving the optical continuity of the crystal lattice and increasing the perceptible brilliance and color uniformity under varied lighting.

Taken together, these factors yield the distinctive visual character of this cushion pink sapphire, a gem whose sparkle is a function of both natural structure and expert cutting. The vivid pink coloration provides a strong backdrop against which bright facet reflections and finely distributed scintillation are readily perceived, while the controlled pleochroism and modest dispersion retain coherent flashes rather than dispersing light into a large spectrum that could dilute the color. The dimensions and mixed brilliant facet architecture ensure efficient light capture and return in typical jewelry settings, making the stone suitable for rings, pendants, and other pieces where face up appearance is primary. Care for this material is straightforward, with standard precautions against thermal shock and hard knocks, and routine cleaning performed with warm soapy water and a soft brush to maintain polish and remove surface films that might attenuate sparkle. The Natural Sapphire Company documents this sapphire’s specifications and treatment, offering objective information for designers and clients who require clarity about the gem’s physical and optical attributes, and who seek a stone whose structure and cut are aligned to produce consistent, high quality brilliance.