0.49 Ct. Yellowish Green Sapphire from Madagascar

This transparent 0.49 carat oval yellowish green sapphire from Madagascar is graded and presented by The Natural Sapphire Company, this specimen measures 5.15 x 3.97 x 2.92 mm, it carries a mixed brilliant cut and displays a medium intense color intensity. The clarity has been evaluated at eye level as very very slightly included, indicating minimal visual obstruction to light return under normal viewing conditions, the polish has been assessed as excellent, giving crisp faceting and sharp facet junctions that support lively scintillation. The gem has been heat treated, a common and stable enhancement for sapphires that improves color uniformity and reduces the visibility of internal features, the oval outline and proportions provide a classic, wearable silhouette suitable for a range of mounting styles. When describing the proportions, the length to width ratio is approximately 1.30, and the measured depth yields a face up depth of about 64.0 percent when calculated against the average diameter, these proportions balance brilliance and color saturation in an oval format.

The mixed brilliant cut of this sapphire is executed to optimize both color and light performance, the cutter has combined brilliant style facets with modified pavilion geometry to concentrate brilliant flashes while preserving color distribution across the table area. The crown and pavilion interplay has been controlled to reduce light leakage, the faceting scheme emphasizes smaller, well defined crown facets that break up larger areas of light to produce scintillation, while the pavilion facets are oriented to channel light back through the crown in small, bright return points. This cutting approach is especially effective for yellowish green material where too shallow a cut can reduce saturation and too deep a cut can darken the face up color, the cutter has targeted a pavilion depth that maintains medium intense saturation without creating a visually heavy appearance. Facet symmetry and alignment are consistent across the girdle, the excellent polish enhances transmission and minimizes surface diffusion, which is why the gem reads clean and lively under diffused and directional lighting alike.

In terms of color and rarity, yellowish green sapphires occupy a much smaller portion of the market compared to classic blues and popular pinks, within this color family the combination of a transparent body, medium intense saturation, and a weight just under half a carat is notably uncommon. Madagascar is known for producing a wide range of sapphire hues, however specimens that present a balanced yellow to green hue with strong transparency and minimal eye visible inclusions remain rare in small to moderate sizes, this stone sits in that rare category because it shows a nuanced two tone appearance that can shift from a warm lemon yellow to a cooler green depending on viewing angle, a form of pleochroism that is highly desirable when it remains attractive in both axes. The very very slightly included clarity grade means inclusions are not intrusive to the naked eye, and in combination with heat treatment the apparent purity is enhanced while preserving natural character typically appreciated by connoisseurs who favor natural origin and minimal treatment.

From a practical and design perspective, this 0.49 carat oval yellowish green sapphire offers versatility and technical advantages for bespoke settings, the near 1.30 length to width ratio is ideal for traditional prong settings that emphasize length, it also adapts well to three stone and halo designs where a consistent optical balance between center and surrounding diamonds or gems is required. For color optimization, warm yellow gold settings will emphasize the yellow component, while white metals such as platinum or white gold will bring forward the greener tones and create stronger contrast, open prong or low bezel settings will maximize light entry and scintillation, whereas closed back or solid metal mounts will slightly mute the color and increase depth concentration. At The Natural Sapphire Company we document origin and treatment, and we can advise on mounting options that preserve the material integrity, we can also provide magnified imagery and viewing recommendations under different light sources to demonstrate pleochroic behavior and to help finalize design decisions. This Madagascar sourced sapphire, with its precise mixed brilliant faceting, excellent polish, stable heat treatment, and rare yellowish green presentation at this size, is a technically interesting and collectible choice for an informed buyer seeking a distinctive and finely executed natural sapphire.