Description
From 2.50 ct Ceylon Sapphire Rough to a 1.14 ct Custom Fancy-Cut Pinkish Purple Sapphire
Not every natural sapphire needs to become a traditional oval, cushion or round. Sometimes the structure, color zoning and natural outline of the rough suggest a more individual direction. This 1.14 ct natural unheated pinkish-purple sapphire from Ratnapura, Sabaragamuwa Province, Sri Lanka, is a good example of how City of Gem approaches a stone from source to finished gemstone.
Before cutting, the sapphire weighed 2.50 ct and was selected as facet-grade natural corundum. What immediately made the rough interesting was its combination of pink to purple color together with visible internal blue color zoning. Color zoning is a natural feature that may occur during sapphire crystal growth, and its orientation can strongly influence how the finished gemstone presents its color.
Rather than automatically choosing a common commercial shape, we studied the rough and considered how its usable volume, internal condition, depth and color distribution could work together. The decision was made to create a custom fancy cut that would preserve the individuality of the sapphire while producing balanced proportions and an attractive finished appearance.
The final gemstone weighs 1.14 ct and measures approximately 6.79 × 5.79 × 3.70 mm. Its finished-weight recovery from the original 2.50 ct rough is approximately 45.6%, meaning around 54.4% of the original weight was removed during preforming, shaping, faceting and polishing. In gemstone cutting, recovery alone does not determine success. The cutter must also consider clarity, internal features, color orientation, symmetry, durability and overall face-up beauty.The finished sapphire shows a pinkish-purple appearance with areas of blue zoning still visible within the stone, preserving part of the natural character that first made the rough interesting. With VS, or very slightly included, clarity and an individual fancy outline, it is particularly suitable for bespoke jewellery designs where the gemstone itself becomes the central design element.
This piece was sourced, preformed, shaped and finished by City of Gem. For this gemstone, the journey did not begin with a finished stone purchased through a conventional retail chain. It began with natural sapphire rough from the Ratnapura gemstone region and continued through cutting decisions, preforming and final polishing within the City of Gem source-to-finish process.
That source connection is an important part of what City of Gem represents. We work close to natural gemstone material and follow stones through sourcing, evaluation, cutting, polishing and finished supply. For collectors, jewellery designers and buyers looking for natural Ceylon sapphires with individual character, this creates a more transparent connection between the origin of the rough and the finished gemstone.
The completed 1.14 ct pinkish-purple sapphire is now ready for jewellery design, private collection or professional gemstone selection. Worldwide shipping can be arranged for suitable finished gemstones.
