2.15CT Sapphire: Opalescent Teal Green Elongated Hexagonal Portrait Cut

Specifications:

• Gemstone: Sapphire
• Color: Opalescent Teal Green
• Weight: 2.15 Carats
• Shape & Cut: Elongated Hexagonal Portrait Cut
• Dimensions (mm): 10.70 x 6.67 x 2.56
• Origin: Gombe, Nigeria
• Treatment: Untreated

In Natural Light

This 2.15-carat sapphire from Gombe, Nigeria, displays a subdued teal-green color with cool blue undertones and a distinctive opalescent character. Its translucent interior softens the color, creating an appearance reminiscent of sea glass, with deeper blue-green tones concentrated around the polished edges.

The photographs reveal fine internal striations and small, darker inclusions near portions of the perimeter. These features lend the sapphire an organic quality, while its broad, pale center allows light and surrounding colors to influence its appearance.

Entirely untreated, this Nigerian sapphire offers a different interpretation of teal-green corundum, where natural internal texture and understated color take precedence over conventional brilliance.

The Lapidary's Eye

The elongated hexagonal portrait cut is particularly well suited to showcasing the sapphire's opalescent character. Unlike a traditional brilliant cut, which uses numerous facets to create concentrated reflections, the portrait cut features a broad central window framed by narrow, geometric step facets.

This construction allows the stone's internal texture and translucent body color to remain visible. In the photographs, the perimeter facets create a distinct teal-blue border around the softer green center, emphasizing the contrast between polished geometry and natural crystal character.

Measuring 10.70 × 6.67 mm with a depth of just 2.56 mm, the sapphire has a length-to-width ratio of approximately 1.60:1. Its shallow profile provides generous face-up dimensions relative to its weight, making the elongated hexagonal outline an important part of its visual identity.

Design Possibilities

The sapphire's broad face-up presence and relatively shallow profile make it particularly appealing for a custom pendant or a low-profile statement ring. Its elongated hexagonal silhouette offers an architectural foundation for minimalist jewelry, especially in an east-west orientation.

A fine bezel setting could trace the gemstone's six-sided outline while providing additional protection around its edges. Yellow gold would introduce warmth against the cool teal-green coloration, while platinum or white gold would complement its icy blue undertones.

Because portrait-cut gemstones have relatively shallow proportions, careful consideration of the setting's construction and support would be important, particularly for a ring intended for regular wear.