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

This pear shaped Ceylon sapphire began its journey deep within ancient metamorphic veins where heat pressure and time coaxed aluminum and trace elements into crystalline order. In Sri Lanka known to older gem lore as Ceylon such sapphires are born where monsoon soaked soils and rugged hills meet. The rough crystal was recovered by artisanal diggers who have long read the rivers and soils for subtle glints of color. From there a careful selection process brought the stone into the hands of cutters who respect the natural strengths and inclusions of each crystal. At The Natural Sapphire Company we tell this part of the story first because every facet and facet junction recalls those first geological moments, and because the decision to fashion this gem into a pear shaped mixed brilliant cut was guided by both the material and a desire to maximize life and light in the finished gem.

The finished sapphire is a transparent 1.25 carat gem measuring 7.94 by 5.89 by 3.61 millimeters with a mixed brilliant cut that balances scintillation and depth of color. Its clarity is graded very slightly included when viewed at eye level which means it reads clean to most observers while retaining those natural markers that confirm its origin. The polish is excellent and the intense color intensity is the most arresting characteristic. This sapphire has undergone beryllium diffusion enhancement a careful treatment that has deepened and evened its orangish yellow hue while leaving the crystal structure intact. We disclose this treatment so the wearer understands both value and origin, and so that the gem can be loved with confidence. The gem is durable enough for everyday wear when set responsibly, and its cut and proportions were chosen to sit comfortably on the finger or as a pendant while projecting warmth and life.

Color is the soul of this sapphire and its orangish yellow hue is a study in tropical light. Compared to the cool cornflower blues from Kashmir this stone moves in an opposite register, offering solar warmth rather than imperial calm. Compared to classic Burmese sapphires which tend toward strong rich blues and royal tones this Ceylon yellow reads as cheerfully luminous and less formal. When set beside yellow sapphires from Madagascar the differences are subtle but telling. Madagascar yellows can be more lemon bright with a slightly paler tone, while Australian yellow sapphires often slide toward honey brown warmth. This Ceylon gem sits between those references with an intense saturation that leans orange enough to recall padparadscha like notes, yet remains distinctly yellow in character. Compared to padparadscha sapphires from Sri Lanka and Madagascar which show a blend of pink and orange this stone lacks pink undertone and instead captures a sunbeam clarity and a citrus warmth that is rare and immediate. The tone is lively but not thin, intense but not muddy, which places it among the most wearable and visually striking yellow sapphires you may encounter.

When imagined as a finished jewel the stone becomes a companion that frames light and memory. In a solitaire setting the pear shape gives a gentle elongation to the finger, while a halo of small white diamonds would emphasize its internal fire and add contrast that accentuates the orangish yellow hue. In yellow gold the gem will harmonize with warm metal tones and read as a single note of summer, while in platinum or white gold it will sing as a bright beacon against cool metal, highlighting the gem cross tones and making the yellow appear even cleaner. At The Natural Sapphire Company our bench works with the stone respecting its proportions and origin, and we can advise on mounting options that will protect the girdle and pavilion while allowing the mixed brilliant cut to shine. This sapphire will appeal to collectors who prize Ceylon specificity, to patrons seeking a gemstone that captures sunlight, and to anyone who wants a jewel with a clear provenance and a story that moves from the earth to your hand. If you would like to explore settings or request additional images and light studies we are ready to guide you through every stage of the selection and commissioning process.