1.17 Ct. Orange Sapphire from Ceylon (Sri Lanka)

This example of Ceylon sapphire is presented as a transparent, precisely faceted princess shape weighing 1.17 carat, with calibrated dimensions of 6.01 x 5.99 x 3.52 mm. The stone exhibits a true princess cut, with squared pavilion and a crisply defined table that produces the characteristic cross pattern when viewed face up. The cutter retained a relatively shallow pavilion depth at 3.52 mm to optimize crown height and table proportions for maximum face up color and brilliance in this size range. Symmetry is excellent, with facet junctions aligned to create uniform light return across the square plane, and polish is graded excellent, evidencing lap work that removed milling marks and maintained crisp facet edges. Clarity is reported as very slightly included when evaluated at eye level, indicating minor natural inclusions and growth features that do not materially interrupt the optical performance of the gem, while under magnification they provide internal fingerprint evidence of natural origin and cutting orientation.

Color is the defining attribute of this sapphire, described as intense orange with rich saturation and even distribution. Origin from Ceylon Sri Lanka contributes to the hue character, as stones from that provenance often present lively warm tones with a bright, electric saturation that reads strongly to the eye. The stone has undergone beryllium diffusion enhancement, a thermal diffusion process in which beryllium is introduced into the surface lattice to alter trace element chemistry and intensify orange and yellow chromophores. This treatment is stable under normal wear and is fully disclosed, and its effect here is to deepen and homogenize the orange while preserving the sapphire crystalline integrity and high transparency. Optical behavior includes subtle pleochroic shifts between golden orange and deeper mandarin tones as the stone is rotated under light, a trait that can be exploited by careful setting orientation. The combination of intense color, very slight inclusions, and excellent polish results in lively fire and scintillation, particularly around the crown facets and table, where directional facet angulation directs light back to the viewer.

Heritage and traditional context are integral to appreciating this sapphire, and The Natural Sapphire Company frames this gem within the long Ceylonese history of sapphire use. Sri Lankan sapphires have been cut and set for centuries into regal and devotional jewelry, valued for their perceived protective and auspicious properties, as talismans for rulers, and as center stones in intricate temple and ceremonial pieces. This modern princess cut orange sapphire translates that heritage into contemporary wearable form, combining classical provenance with a geometrically modern faceting style. For setting recommendations, corners of the princess cut benefit from protective settings, therefore consideration of slightly rounded V prongs or a bezel that preserves the square silhouette is prudent, especially for everyday wear in rings. Warm metal choices such as 18 carat yellow or rose gold will harmonize with the orange saturation and enhance visual warmth, while platinum or white gold settings will produce a more vivid contrast, emphasizing the gem color as a focal point.

As representatives of The Natural Sapphire Company we provide detailed grading information and professional guidance for integration of this 1.17 carat Ceylon princess cut orange sapphire into bespoke designs. We can supply additional imagery, facet orientation diagrams, and mounting mockups to illustrate how pavilion and crown angles influence face up color, and we offer secure documentation that discloses beryllium diffusion enhancement and origin. For clients seeking historical resonance with modern craftsmanship, this stone offers a direct link to Sri Lankan sapphire traditions combined with precise cutting and finishing, and our team can advise on protective setting engineering, complementary accent stones, and metal selections to achieve optimum balance between aesthetics and durability. If you require measured proportion analyses, recommended prong profiles, or bespoke mounting options, please contact our specialists for a technical consultation and full specification package.