4.01 Ct. Purple Sapphire from Ceylon (Sri Lanka)

This cushion shaped purple sapphire weighs 4.01 carat, and presents exact dimensions of 10.83 by 8.36 by 4.77 mm, offering a substantial presence suitable for a focal ring or pendant. Origin is Ceylon, Sri Lanka, a region renowned for producing sapphires with lively, velvety tones and natural fluorescence that enhance visual depth under both daylight and incandescent lighting. Color grading indicates medium intense color intensity, a balanced combination of hue and saturation that yields a rich purple appearance without becoming overly dark. The gem is untreated, with no enhancement, assuring collectors and connoisseurs of its natural state and intrinsic value. With a clarity grade assessed as very slightly included at eye level, the stone maintains exceptional transparency, allowing the full effect of its cut and color to communicate unimpeded to the viewer.

Craftsmanship is at the core of this sapphire, which is fashioned in a mixed brilliant cut to optimize both sparkle and color distribution across the cushion outline. The mixed brilliant approach marries a brilliant facet arrangement on the pavilion with a modified faceted crown, producing intense scintillation and controlled light return. This cut emphasizes precise facet junctions and symmetry, and the cut proportions produce a depth of approximately 49.7 percent relative to the average of its length and width, a figure that falls squarely within the range known to maximize internal reflection while preserving face up size. The excellent polish further refines light performance by minimizing surface scattering, enabling crisp facet reflections and lively pinpoint flashes. Facet alignment and girdle consistency have been executed to exacting standards, ensuring that the balance between brilliance and color saturation is maintained across the table and along the curved corners typical of the cushion profile.

Optical and clarity characteristics complement the cutting strategy. The very slightly included clarity grade, evaluated at eye level, indicates the presence of minor natural inclusions typical of Ceylon sapphires, which may include fine silk needles or minute crystal formations. These features are judged by their limited impact on transparency and by their tendency to become visually unobtrusive when the stone is set, particularly in designs that allow controlled light entry through the crown. The mixed brilliant faceting works together with the medium intense purple hue to reduce the visibility of internal features while amplifying scintillation, resulting in a lively, three dimensional appearance. Color zoning is minimal and the pleochroic characteristics common to corundum are handled by the cutter to present a uniform face up color, yielding a regal purple that reads consistently from multiple viewing angles.

Presented by The Natural Sapphire Company, this untreated 4.01 carat cushion purple sapphire is an exemplary choice for collectors and designers seeking a centerpiece specimen that combines natural origin, meticulous cutting, and uncompromised polish. Recommended settings include a solitaire with a low profile to showcase the gem face up, a bezel with tapered gallery facets to enhance light circulation, or a halo composed of lighter accent stones to amplify perceived size and fire. For maintenance, routine gentle cleaning in warm soapy water and careful handling avoid damage to the girdle and preserve polish. This sapphire embodies both the aesthetic and technical hallmarks prized by knowledgeable buyers, combining calibrated proportions, a sophisticated mixed brilliant faceting scheme, and certified natural provenance to create a focal gem suitable for heirloom quality commissions and high level collections.