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

This purple sapphire began its journey within the gem bearing sands and saprolite pockets of Ceylon Sri Lanka, a region long respected for producing sapphires with refined hue and clarity. From the moment the rough crystal was removed from its matrix, it was subject to a rigorous process of selection and documentation, guided by experienced local miners and field gemologists. The piece that would become this gem presented transparent material with a naturally appealing pinkish purple cast, weighing 3.55 carats in its rough state. Every facet of the early handling prioritized traceability and integrity, with careful notes on locality and geology recorded at the mine site. That information accompanied the material to the next stages of evaluation, where initial assessments confirmed the potential for a highly transparent, intense colored sapphire. The decision to pursue classification under the C.Dunaigre certification was made to provide independent verification of origin and treatment history, ensuring that the provenance of this 3.55 carat cushion shape stone would be traceable through to the final offering.

Following extraction and inspection, the sapphire entered a controlled treatment and cutting sequence, designed to refine color and clarity while preserving natural character. The enhancement applied was heat treatment, a standard and stable method used to optimize hue and remove local color zoning, completed under laboratory conditions and documented for certification. The material was then entrusted to a cutter experienced in working with mixed brilliant geometry, selected specifically to balance the stone dimension of 8.47 x 8.01 x 5.60 mm with its inherent color saturation. The result is a cushion shape faceted sapphire with a mixed brilliant cut, combining pavilion facets that enhance scintillation with a crown arrangement that deepens perceived color. The finished gem is transparent, with a clarity grade of eye clean, evaluated at eye level, and it demonstrates intense color intensity throughout the stone without significant windowing. An excellent polish on all facets contributes to strong light return and a refined surface finish, which together produce lively brilliance and a velvety color depth that reads pinkish purple under standard viewing conditions. After cutting and polishing, the gem underwent final gemological testing, yielding confirmation of its attributes and completion of the C.Dunaigre certification file.

The final stage of the journey brought the sapphire to The Natural Sapphire Company, where it was appraised again as part of our internal quality control and presentation process. At this point the stone is offered with full disclosure of its 3.55 carat weight, cushion shape, mixed brilliant cut faceting style, dimensions of 8.47 x 8.01 x 5.60 mm, transparent clarity with an eye clean grade as evaluated at eye level, intense color intensity, excellent polish, heat treated enhancement, and origin Ceylon Sri Lanka. The combination of certified provenance, measured specifications, and skilled cutting results in a gem that is suitable for a variety of settings that emphasize color and proportion. For jewelry design and long term care, the gem benefits from routine cleaning using gentle soapy water and a soft brush, avoidance of harsh chemicals and extreme heat, and periodic professional inspection to secure settings and assess condition. This sapphire represents a clear line of custody from mine to market, a documented enhancement history, and an exacting cutting and finishing process, offering collectors and designers a transparent and verifiable example of Ceylon color and craftsmanship.