0.98 Ct. Orangish Yellow Sapphire from Ceylon (Sri Lanka)

This exquisite pear shape sapphire from The Natural Sapphire Company carries with it the weight of centuries of admiration, a gem that bridges ancient tradition with contemporary elegance. We present a transparent 0.98 carat orangish yellow sapphire, cut to a graceful pear silhouette that measures 8.11 by 6.09 by 2.71 mm, a size and shape that has been favored by connoisseurs since the age of empires. Originating from Ceylon, Sri Lanka, this stone evokes the storied mines and royal treasuries that made Ceylon sapphires synonymous with refinement and prestige. The intense color intensity of this gem is a hallmark of its provenance, a lively, saturated hue that reads both sunlit and warm, a tone that has adorned signet rings, ceremonial jewels, and heirloom pieces for generations. With a clarity grade of very slightly included when evaluated at eye level, this sapphire offers the viewer a near pristine window into the heart of corundum, allowing light to travel through with remarkable purity, and giving the gem a presence that feels at once ancient and imminently wearable.

The secret of this sapphire’s extraordinary sparkle begins at an atomic level, in the dense, ordered lattice of corundum that is the mineral name for sapphire, Al2O3. Corundum crystallizes in the trigonal system, producing an internal structure that guides and refracts light in a distinctive manner. Its relatively high refractive index, coupled with a tightly bonded aluminum and oxygen framework, creates a brilliance and luster that are uniquely enduring. The mixed brilliant cut applied to this pear shape harnesses those intrinsic optical properties, combining a brilliant style pavilion that maximizes return of light with a carefully faceted crown that scatters light into lively scintillation. Each facet has been executed to an excellent polish, so that light encounters smooth, precise planes and exits the gem with a clarity and sparkle that few other stones can emulate. The result is not merely brightness but a complex play of flashes and pinpoint scintillation, a balance of broad luminous sheen and lively, dancing sparkles that is particularly striking in a warm orangish yellow tone. Even compared to other colored gems, the way this sapphire refracts and disperses light, aided by its cut and finish, yields a visual performance that feels both classic and singular, a sparkle that commands close attention without ever appearing showy.

This sapphire has been responsibly heat treated, an age old enhancement in the trade that refines and stabilizes color while honoring the gem’s natural character. Heat treatment in sapphires from Ceylon has a long documented history, and when disclosed as we do at The Natural Sapphire Company, it represents a continuity of lapidary practice that enhances the gem’s beauty while respecting its origin and integrity. The very slightly included clarity grade assures that the stone carries minimal internal markers, which in combination with its intense color and excellent polish, makes it superb for a timeless setting designed to be passed down. Imagine this pear shape mounted in a classic three prong drop, framed by a halo of warm toned metal, or balanced as the centerpiece of an heirloom engagement ring inspired by historical silhouettes. For those who cherish legacy and provenance, this sapphire offers both the romance of Ceylonese history and the technical excellence of modern cutting, a piece that will sit comfortably with museum pieces and family jewels alike. The Natural Sapphire Company stands ready to assist with selections, settings, and certification, ensuring that this sparkling Ceylon gem becomes part of a story that will be told for generations.