2.08 Ct. Yellow Sapphire from Ceylon (Sri Lanka)

This 2.08 carat, transparent yellow sapphire measures 7.13 x 5.42 x 5.74 millimeters, precision cut into a radiant shape that balances step and brilliant faceting to optimize both color saturation and scintillation. The radiant cut used here features trimmed corners and a hybrid facet architecture that marries a brilliant-style pavilion with a more structured crown, yielding controlled light return and lively dispersion. With a length to width ratio of approximately 1.31 to 1, the stone reads as an elegant, slightly elongated rectangle when set, providing a strong face-up presence without appearing overly long. Clarity is graded as very very slightly included at eye level, indicating inclusions are minimal and do not interfere with the gem’s overall transparency or light performance. Color is described as medium intensity yellow, with uniform saturation and no evidence of uneven zoning when viewed in standard daylight, and the finish is an excellent polish with crisp facet junctions and symmetrical facet alignment. This sapphire is from Ceylon, and its provenance is carried through by the characteristic lively tone and natural, untreated color, enhancement reported as none.

On a technical level, this sapphire is corundum, with the typical physical and optical constants that make it a superior gem for fine jewelry, including a refractive index in the range associated with gem-quality corundum, notable birefringence that contributes to subtle doubled facet edges at high magnification, and a specific gravity around the expected 4.00. The radiant cut here has been executed to emphasize internal light return rather than surface brilliance alone, employing pavilion angling and crown facet proportions tuned to the stone’s depth and table dimensions. The pavilion depth, as reflected in the 5.74 millimeter profile, provides a substantial optical path for light to refract and reflect within the crystal, producing internal flash and scintillation across the yellow hue without sacrificing clarity. The excellent polish minimizes light leakage and surface graying, while the facet symmetry and accurate pavilion plotting ensure even distribution of flash and dispersion. For setting considerations, the stone’s robust profile and well-defined girdle offer secure engagement in prong and bezel styles, and its corundum hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale ensures excellent wearability for daily jewelry.

The narrative of how this sapphire came to be begins deep within Earth's crust, millions of years ago, under conditions of elevated temperature and pressure where aluminum-rich, silica-poor protoliths were transformed by regional and contact metamorphism. In Sri Lanka, these processes occurred within high-grade metamorphic terrains and marble lenses intercalated with gneiss and granulite belts, where aluminum and trace transition elements were concentrated. Tiny nuclei of corundum formed as aluminum oxide crystallized under these thermodynamic conditions, and trace amounts of iron in the crystal lattice introduced the yellow chroma, predominantly through Fe3+ substitutions and local charge balance variations. Growth occurred over extended geologic time, with successive episodes of recrystallization producing coherent, well-formed hexagonal crystals. As mountain-building and uplift exposed these metamorphic rocks to surface erosion, many corundum crystals were liberated and transported into alluvial deposits, where rounding and abrasion polished crystal faces and concentrated gem-bearing gravels. The specific specimen you hold therefore records this long history of nucleation, slow growth, trace element incorporation, and eventual liberation into secondary deposits, all preserved without heat or chemical enhancement, giving an authentic, natural color response that reflects its geologic origin.

The craftsmanship applied after recovery respects the stone’s natural attributes, The Natural Sapphire Company has supervised the cutting and finishing to retain maximum weight while optimizing light performance and color distribution. The radiant faceting pattern was chosen to enhance face-up color, reduce apparent inclusions by strategic facet placement, and provide a robust profile suitable for daily wear. Because the sapphire is unenhanced, its medium intensity yellow will present consistently under varied lighting, showing warm, golden flashes in incandescent light and pure canary tendencies in daylight. For care, gentle ultrasonic or steam cleaning is acceptable for corundum, though avoid sudden thermal shocks and aggressive chemicals. When considering setting, a four or six prong open gallery will maximize brilliance, while a bezel will protect the substantial depth from impact, particularly in active wear settings. This sapphire, authenticated to Ceylon origin and presented with full disclosure of its VVS clarity, medium color intensity, and no enhancement, represents a technically refined and geologically honest gem, available through The Natural Sapphire Company.