1.56 Ct. Orange Sapphire from Ceylon (Sri Lanka)

This 1.56 carat orange sapphire presents itself as a study in proportion and optical control, offered by The Natural Sapphire Company. The gem measures 7.10 by 5.39 by 4.05 millimeters, and is fashioned in a classical emerald cut, a step cut geometry that emphasizes linear symmetry and color rather than scintillation. Clarity is graded as eye clean, evaluated at eye level, which allows the step faceting to perform without the visual interruptions that would otherwise be amplified by the broad, open tables typical of an emerald cut. The stone displays vivid color intensity and an excellent polish, and has undergone standard industry heat treatment to refine and stabilize hue. Origin is Ceylon Sri Lanka, a source long associated with clean, saturated corundums and a history of masterful lapidary work, which contributes directly to the material quality available to the cutter.

From a cutting and faceting perspective, the emerald cut used here is an informed choice rather than a default. The length to width ratio of approximately 1.32 provides an elegant elongation that reads as neither squat nor excessively stretched, and the pavilion depth of 4.05 millimeters relative to the average face dimension yields a well balanced optical return. Step facets produce a hall of mirrors effect, generating broad, flat flashes of color that allow viewers to assess hue uniformity and saturation at a glance. For dichroic or weakly pleochroic sapphires the cutter must orient the rough so that the dominant hue presents through the table, and the clean nature of this material permitted such orientation decisions without sacrificing weight. Excellent polish on every facet edge reduces micro abrasion and increases transmission, which is especially important for a vivid orange stone where surface finish directly affects perceived saturation and brilliance.

Color in sapphire is a function of trace element chemistry and crystal field responses, and orange corundum occupies a narrow compositional window, making intense pure orange material uncommon relative to blue and pink varieties. This specimen exhibits a vivid pure orange, distinct from the pink orange hues historically associated with padparadscha sapphires, and instead reminiscent of the warm, golden orange sapphires that have historically been prized in Ceylon. Heat treatment in corundum tends to modify iron and titanium states and can harmonize color zoning, and when performed correctly on Sri Lankan material it produces a stable, permanent enhancement without introducing artificial surface effects. The result is a transparent, saturated orange that carries light cleanly across the step facets, offering solid color saturation across the table and consistent face up tone from different viewing angles, a quality that sets it apart from stones that merely flirt with orange under certain lighting conditions.

In historical comparison, the qualities sought in legendary sapphires and rubies have often been size, saturation, clarity, and provenance, each contributing to cultural and monetary value. While the Logan Sapphire and other famous blue stones are celebrated for their large size and velvety blue saturation, and padparadscha classics are revered for their unique pink orange balance, this Ceylon orange emerald cuts a distinct profile by combining vivid pure orange saturation with eye clean clarity and refined proportions. The emerald cut emphasizes control and restraint, a sculptural look that has long appeared in period jewelry favored by collectors and connoisseurs. For practical wear, corundum hardness 9 ensures durability suitable for daily jewelry, and the clean pavilion and excellent polish reduce the need for protective settings. As offered by The Natural Sapphire Company this gemstone is presented with full transparency of origin and treatment, and its combination of rare hue, classical cutting, and Sri Lankan provenance gives it enduring appeal both for collectors looking for a museum quality character in a small scale, and for designers seeking a striking center stone with predictable optical behavior.