Buying a loose gemstone gives you independence, you get the freedom to make your own choice, your own jewelry design.
A natural 1.20 ct Oval Purple Sapphire from Sri Lanka (Ceylon), completely unheated, accompanied by GIA Report #2241032044. Purple is one of the less common commercial sapphire colors, and at 1.20 carats this oval cut is sized to work as a genuine center stone rather than an accent — the oval's broad face-up window reads a clean, consistent purple across the whole stone rather than the color zoning smaller or more heavily windowed cuts sometimes show.
Expert Opinion
Ahmed Shareek's Assessment
"What stands out on this particular stone is how evenly the purple carries face-up in the oval — no zoning, no washed-out corners, no drift toward pink or blue as the light shifts. Pair that with a fully documented Ceylon origin and a GIA report confirming zero heat treatment, and at 1.20 carats you're looking at a genuinely uncommon combination, not just a pretty stone."
Rarity Analysis
Purple sapphire sits well outside the mainstream of commercial sapphire production, and this stone stacks several independently uncommon traits on top of one another.
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Uncommon commercial color: Ceylon corundum production skews heavily toward blue, pink, and yellow — clean, saturated purple in commercial quantity is a genuinely minority color, not a marketing framing.
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Confirmed unheated status: the large majority of sapphire sold at any color point is heat treated; a GIA report with no indications of heating removes all ambiguity and adds a further, independent layer of scarcity on top of the color itself.
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Above-1-carat size: supply of unheated purple sapphire thins noticeably once you cross the 1-carat threshold, well before you reach sizes that read as "large" in other sapphire colors.
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Origin-documented on the certificate: a GIA report confirming Sri Lanka (Ceylon) origin — the historic benchmark source for fine corundum — on a stone this color is far less common than an undocumented origin claim.
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Cut quality that supports the color: an oval that reads true, even purple face-up at this size is a further narrowing on top of an already-narrow color, treatment, and size combination — many purple sapphires this size show visible zoning or a washed-out window.
Buying Guidance
A few practical points worth weighing before buying an unheated Ceylon purple sapphire at this size.
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Verify treatment disclosure independently: always ask for the GIA (or comparable) report on any stone represented as unheated — purple and violet sapphire in particular see a lot of undisclosed treatment in the wider market.
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See the stone in person where possible: purple sapphire can shift subtly between light sources; Crescent Gems' Try-On program lets you evaluate the color in your own lighting before committing.
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Match the size to the setting: at 1.20 ct oval, this stone works well as an earring-pair anchor, a pendant center, or an accent-ring centerpiece — practical for daily wear without oversizing the piece.
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Metal color affects perceived saturation: white gold and platinum tend to read purple sapphire cooler and cleaner, while rose gold and yellow gold can warm the hue — worth testing against your intended metal before finalizing a setting.
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Confirm availability before design work begins: this is a one-of-a-kind natural stone, not a repeatable SKU — reserve it before commissioning a custom setting.
Learn More About This Gemstone
Gemstone Data — At a Glance
| Item # |
CG8459 |
| Carat Weight |
1.20 Carats |
| Species/Variety |
Corundum / Purple Sapphire |
| Shape/Cut |
Oval / Mixed Brilliant |
| Dimensions |
6.55 x 5.57 x 4.25 mm |
| Color/Intensity |
Purple / Intense |
| Phenomenon |
None |
| Treatment |
Unheated (No Enhancement) |
| Origin |
Sri Lanka (Ceylon) |
| Clarity |
Eye Clean |
| Transparency |
Transparent |
| Hardness |
9 Mohs |
| Certification |
GIA Report #2241032044 |
Why Choose this 1.20 ct Oval Purple Sapphire?
Unheated purple sapphire above 1 carat from Ceylon provides documented origin, natural color, and a practical center-stone size in one of the more uncommon sapphire colors at the commercial level. The oval cut maximizes color display for the weight, making the purple clearly readable in any earring, pendant, or ring setting.
Key Benefits of this Natural Purple Sapphire
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Unheated Ceylon Origin
No thermal treatment — natural purple from the primary source for fine corundum.
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GIA Documentation
GIA Report #2241032044 confirms species, weight, dimensions, origin, and treatment status.
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Above-1-Carat Oval
Broad face-up oval surface maximizes purple display at above-1-carat weight — sized for center stone use.
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Durable for Daily Wear
Corundum at Mohs 9, second only to diamond.
Features
- Item #: CG8459
- Carat Weight: 1.20 Carats
- Species/Variety: Corundum / Purple Sapphire
- Shape/Cut: Oval / Mixed Brilliant
- Dimensions: 6.55 x 5.57 x 4.25mm
- Color/Intensity: Purple / Intense
- Phenomenon: None
- Treatment: Unheated (No Enhancement)
- Origin: Sri Lanka (Ceylon)
- Clarity: Eye Clean — no visible inclusions under normal viewing
- Transparency: Transparent
- Hardness: 9 on the Mohs scale
- Certification: GIA Report #2241032044
Care of Your Ceylon Purple Sapphire
- Clean with lukewarm water and mild soap using a soft brush
- Store separately to avoid surface contact
- Remove before heavy physical activity
- Avoid ultrasonic or steam cleaners
What's Included
- GIA Report #2241032044
- Gemstone packed in a gem sleeve
Perfect Uses for this 1.20 ct Purple Sapphire
- Earring center stones in a pair
- Small pendant center stone
- Accent ring in white gold or rose gold
- Three-stone ring accent
- Collectors of unheated Ceylon purple sapphires
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