15.24 Ct. Blue Sapphire Crystal from Ceylon (Sri Lanka)

This 15.24 carat semi translucent blue sapphire from Ceylon, Sri Lanka, is a rare and attractive natural specimen offered by The Natural Sapphire Company, the weight and dimensions of 20.30 x 9.94 x 7.76 millimeters place it firmly in the category of substantial rough material that will interest both experienced cutters and collectors, the crystal displays an elongated, various shape habit with an authentic rough crystal cut and evidence of natural growth faces that contribute to its character, color is described as intense, and the hue sits in the desirable blue range associated with high quality Ceylon sapphires, the semi translucency allows light to penetrate and gives the stone a depth that is often sought after when evaluating the potential for faceting or display in a mineral collection, the piece has been evaluated as unenhanced, which is significant for connoisseurs who prefer stones in their natural state, and the specimen also exhibits an excellent polish on accessible surfaces which speaks to the quality of the crystal termination and the care taken in preparation prior to sale.

The clarity grade of slightly included evaluated at eye level means that inclusions are present, but they do not unduly detract from the overall appearance when viewed without magnification, this clarity grade is consistent with many fine natural Sri Lankan sapphires and in the rough state those internal features can provide important information about the stone, they act as fingerprints that confirm natural origin and growth history, slight inclusions often manifest as thin rutile needles, healed fissures, or small mineral crystals, each of which can be important to gemologists and collectors for verification and for assessing durability, because inclusions are not severe, the stone retains a strong visual appeal and with skilled cutting it can yield attractive transparency and vitality, the absence of heat treatment or other enhancements preserves the original crystal chemistry and optical properties, and that unheated status typically commands a premium in the market because it guarantees that the intense color and natural internal features are intrinsic to the material rather than the result of human intervention.

From a cutting and valuation perspective, this rough crystal offers several compelling options, an educated buyer should consider that faceting loss varies depending on the chosen shape and the orientation of inclusions, typical salvage yield for sapphire rough ranges from approximately forty to sixty percent of the original weight for conventional faceted styles, and skilled cutters may prioritize preserving the most desirable color zone over maximizing carat weight, alternatively the piece can be left as a collector specimen or fashioned into a high quality cabochon if the cutter wishes to emphasize the stone's semi translucent depth and natural surface character, the excellent polish on natural faces reduces the amount of pre cutting work required, and the strong Ceylon provenance enhances market desirability because Sri Lankan sapphires are historically prized for their clean, vibrant blue tones and balanced saturation, when assessing value consider that unheated, intensely colored, and substantial weight sapphires from Ceylon have a consistent demand among connoisseurs and investors, final pricing will depend on the chosen end use, the final cut quality, and any additional certification requested.

In summary, this 15.24 carat Ceylon blue sapphire from The Natural Sapphire Company represents a rare convergence of size, natural intense color, unenhanced origin, and collectible clarity, it is suitable for a knowledgeable buyer who values provenance and natural state, whether the intention is to produce a large single faceted gem, to fashion a dramatic cabochon, or to retain it as a mineral specimen, the stone offers both aesthetic appeal and the kind of verifiable natural characteristics that preserve long term value, for clients seeking further technical information, high resolution images, or guidance on cutting strategies and estimated finished weights, our specialists at The Natural Sapphire Company are available to provide detailed assessments and recommendations tailored to your objectives.