1.36 Ct. Purple Sapphire from Ceylon (Sri Lanka)

This transparent 1.36 carat oval purple sapphire measures 8.08 by 6.16 by 3.49 mm, and presents an elegant length to width ratio of approximately 1.31, with a depth that equals about 49 percent of the average diameter. The gem is fashioned in a mixed brilliant cut, combining a brilliant style pavilion with a more structured crown facet arrangement, a design choice that balances scintillation with controlled color face up. The table is proportioned to allow strong windowing control while maintaining broad facet planes that contribute to even color distribution. Clarity is graded as slightly included when evaluated at eye level, and the stone is transparent rather than translucent, which allows the mixed brilliant faceting to perform optimally. Color intensity is medium, yielding a violet dominant hue with a noticeable blue component when viewed from different angles, and an excellent polish has been applied to all facet junctions, resulting in sharp facet lines and lively light return. The sapphire has been heat treated, a standard and stable enhancement in the trade, and its documented origin is Ceylon Sri Lanka, a historic source renowned for a wide color range in corundum. The Natural Sapphire Company stands behind the description and provenance provided for this stone.

Color analysis of this sapphire places it in the purple range of the sapphire color map, with a primary hue leaning toward violet and a secondary influence of blue, producing a complex and appealing tone. When compared to classic Kashmir sapphires, which exhibit a saturated cornflower blue with a velvet like diffusion and usually a softer tone, this Ceylon sapphire shows a clearer violet presence and a brighter medium intensity rather than that hallmark velvety saturation. Versus Burmese stones, which frequently show vivid, high saturation royal blue or deep purplish blue tones, this sample is less intensely saturated and sits higher on the lightness scale, offering greater legibility and a less inky appearance. Madagascar sapphires often produce strong, highly saturated pure blues and vivid royal violets, and compared to those, the present stone reads as more restrained in tone and more nuanced in hue. Thai and Australian sapphires frequently run darker and more brownish or inky in tone, especially under artificial lighting, and this specimen remains relatively lively and clean in the medium intensity range, avoiding the so called blackish tendencies of some Southeast Asian material. Montana sapphires tend to skew toward teal and greenish blue, a markedly different hue family than this purple sapphire. The net result is a Ceylon personality that emphasizes clarity of violet blue, a medium tone that allows both brilliance and color presence, and a color character that sits distinct from the signature hallmarks of these other famous sources.

From a clarity and craftsmanship perspective, the slightly included grade is consistent with natural, heat treated Ceylon sapphires, where fine needle like rutile inclusions and occasional pinpoint crystals are common. In this example, inclusions are limited enough to permit a transparent appearance and to avoid significant obstruction of light paths, enabling the mixed brilliant cut to maximize internal reflection and scintillation. Heat treatment in sapphires typically reduces the visibility of fine silk and homogenizes color, and in this stone it has enhanced both saturation and clarity in a stable manner without compromising structural integrity. The excellent polish contributes to crisp facet junctions, which is particularly important in mixed brilliant cutting where precise facet geometry determines the balance between dispersion and broad flash. The pavilion brightens with lively flash, while the crown facets moderate the dispersion to preserve the purple blue hue rather than diffuse it into excessive spectral fire. In practice the combination of transparent body, medium intensity, mixed brilliant geometry, and meticulous polish yields a gem that performs with lively scintillation in movement and displays an even, well balanced face up color in both daylight and incandescent lighting.

For practical use and design considerations, the 1.36 carat weight and the 8.08 by 6.16 mm oval outline make this sapphire ideal for a refined solitaire or a three stone configuration where the central purple tone can be flanked by diamonds or complementary side stones. Settings in white metal such as platinum or white gold will emphasize the cool violet and blue components, creating a modern, vivid presentation, while warm metals such as rose gold can subtly lift the warmer violet facets to produce a softer, more romantic appearance. Bezel settings will protect the lower girdle area and can visually broaden the face while prongs will allow maximum light entry for the mixed brilliant cut to perform. The documented Ceylon origin lends provenance appeal, as Sri Lanka is historically associated with a wide and elegant palette in sapphire coloration, and collectors who compare geographic character will appreciate the transparent purity and medium tone distinct from Kashmir, Burmese, Madagascar, Thai, Australian, and Montana examples. The Natural Sapphire Company invites you to examine the stone under varied lighting and to discuss setting options, appraisal, and certification details, and we can advise on mounting strategies that preserve the integrity of the heat treated stone while maximizing its optical attributes and wearer enjoyment.