3.00 Ct. Color Change Sapphire from Ceylon (Sri Lanka)

This specimen is a transparent 3.00 carat cushion shape color change sapphire originating from Ceylon Sri Lanka, with measured dimensions of 8.60 by 7.30 by 4.81 millimeters. The cutter employed a mixed brilliant faceting scheme, combining a brilliant facet arrangement on the crown with a modified pavilion that retains weight while optimizing internal light return. The length to width ratio is approximately 1.18, producing a slightly elongated cushion outline that reads as elegant on the finger. The measured depth relative to the average of the outline dimensions is about 60 percent, a proportion that is intentional for this shape and weight, balancing face up area and internal depth to preserve the optical conditions that produce the stone s pronounced color change. The table facet presents a broad face up plane that emphasizes color saturation and permits a strong visual field of color, while the crown angles and crown height were tuned to prevent a washed out appearance under bright light, maintaining vivid saturation and lively facet contrast across viewing conditions.

Optical performance is a defining attribute of this sapphire, and the gem displays a clear dichroic and pleochroic behavior that contributes to the color change effect. Under fluorescent or daylight balanced light the stone reads as a vivid blue with strong saturation and cool undertones, while under incandescent illumination the stone shifts to a vivid violet purple, demonstrating a significant color shift that is both dramatic and evenly distributed across the table and main facets. The color change is consistent with trace element chemistry commonly found in high quality Ceylon material, elements such as vanadium or combined iron and titanium being likely contributors to the shift, though final attribution requires spectroscopic analysis. Clarity is graded as very very slightly included at eye level, indicating that inclusions are minimal and non distracting to the unaided eye, and they do not interrupt light transmission or the stone s transparency. The polish has been executed to an excellent standard, yielding crisp facet junctions and a glasslike finish that enhances brilliance and color depth. The stone has been heat treated, a stable and accepted enhancement practice designed to relieve silk and improve color homogeneity, and this treatment is disclosed as part of the gem s specifications.

From a cutting and setting perspective this sapphire offers exceptional opportunities for precision jewelry design. The mixed brilliant format offers scintillation and flash while the modified pavilion facets provide broader planes of color that allow the color change to remain vivid rather than fragmenting into flecks. The cutter s choice to maintain a moderate girdle thickness ensures secure setting options without compromising light interaction, and the well proportioned pavilion permits a variety of mounting styles including low profile four or six prong settings, a partial bezel that preserves the crown s exposure to light, or a subtle gallery that allows light to enter from the sides to activate the color change. For durability and to highlight the gem s color, a claw prong or V prong configuration in a secure precious metal is recommended, with the prongs positioned on the longer axis to reduce rotational stress. When creating a custom piece you may request precise specifications for crown and pavilion angles to be recorded on a cutter s diagram, allowing future settings to be engineered to the exact optic plane of the stone. The Natural Sapphire Company can facilitate this level of technical documentation for clients who require exacting control over depth to table relationships and facet alignment.

When pairing this cushion color change sapphire with complementary gemstones in a custom piece, consider contrast and color harmony to maximize the perceptual impact of the shift between blue and purple. For a classic high contrast halo, near colorless diamonds cut in small brilliant forms provide a crisp white framework that amplifies the sapphire s color in both lighting states, and baguette or tapered baguette diamonds set on the shoulders will reinforce a geometric, architectural aesthetic while keeping attention on the center stone. To accentuate the purple shift under warm light, consider flush set melee pink sapphires or violet spinel accents, these warmer purple tones will resonate with the stone s incandescent appearance and create a unified warm palette. For a bold contrasting scheme that emphasizes color theory, small green tsavorite garnets or chrome tourmalines provide complementary green contrast to the sapphire s purple field, creating a dynamic interplay that makes both colors appear more saturated. Metal choice will also influence perceived color, white metals such as platinum or white gold will emphasize the blue face up appearance and give a modern, crisp presentation, while warm metals such as rose gold or yellow gold will lean into the purple warmth under incandescent lighting, producing a richer, regal look. For custom ring designs that showcase the color change, orientation and openness of the setting are critical, allow the crown to be exposed enough to receive overhead daylight and incandescent exposure, and place accent stones to frame rather than obscure the table. The Natural Sapphire Company can assist with CAD visualizations and sample metal trials to evaluate how different accent combinations, stone shapes and metal hues affect the perceived color transition, ensuring that the final piece performs predictably in both practical wear and photographic reproduction.