1.61 Ct. Yellow Sapphire from Tanzania

This transparent yellow sapphire weighs 1.61 carats, and is cut into a classic oval shape with finished dimensions of 7.71 by 5.99 by 4.01 millimeters. The gem exhibits an intense color intensity, and is graded as very very slightly included when evaluated at eye level. The cutting style is a mixed brilliant cut, combining faceting that emphasizes both brilliance and color, and the polish has been evaluated as excellent. The material has been heat treated, a common and stable enhancement for sapphires, and the stone is sourced from Tanzania, a region known for producing well colored corundum.

The mixed brilliant cut and the oval silhouette work together to deliver strong light return and clear color presentation. The crown and pavilion faceting have been balanced to preserve saturation, allowing the intense yellow tone to read evenly through the table and along the girdle. The transparency is high, and the very very slightly included clarity grade indicates that inclusions are minimal to the unaided eye, resulting in a clean appearance in most settings. The dimensions yield an approximate length to width ratio of 1.29, and a depth that corresponds to a depth percentage of about 58.5 percent, proportions that contribute to pleasing visual face up size and efficient light performance in jewelry.

From a durability perspective this sapphire is exceptionally well suited to daily wear. As a variety of corundum, sapphire ranks nine on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, making it one of the hardest common gemstones after diamond. Corundum lacks true cleavage, and its toughness is generally favorable, which reduces the risk of cleavage related breakage under normal wear conditions. The polish is excellent which further enhances scratch resistance and surface longevity. Heat treatment applied to enhance color is a stable treatment, and unlike fracture filling or resin treatments, it does not generally alter the gem’s response to routine cleaning methods. For daily wear applications such as rings, bracelets, earrings, or pendants, protective setting choices include a bezel for maximum edge protection, or secure low profile prong work to reduce exposure to knocks and abrasion, while allowing the mixed brilliant faceting to display optimal brilliance.

Care and handling are straightforward, and support the suitability of this sapphire for everyday use. Routine cleaning with warm soapy water and a soft brush will maintain the stone’s brilliance, and heat treated corundum is typically compatible with ultrasonic and steam cleaning provided there are no significant surface reaching fractures or additional filling treatments. It is recommended that mounted pieces be periodically inspected by a jeweler to confirm prong security and overall setting integrity. The Natural Sapphire Company stands behind the provenance and quality of this Tanzanian yellow sapphire, and can provide further information and documentation on request, including details of any gemological reporting. Together the gemological characteristics, excellent cut and polish, and inherent hardness of corundum make this 1.61 carat oval yellow sapphire an excellent candidate for personal jewelry designed for daily wear.