1.17CT Sapphire: Orchid Purple Fantasy Oval Mix Cut

Specifications:

• Gemstone: Sapphire
• Color: Orchid Purple
• Weight: 1.17 Carats
• Shape & Cut: Fantasy Oval Mix Cut
• Dimensions (mm): 7.59 x 5.00 x 3.69
• Origin: Sakaraha, Madagascar
• Treatment: Untreated

In Natural Light

This 1.17-carat orchid purple sapphire from Sakaraha, Madagascar, displays a vivid combination of violet, lavender and pinkish-purple reflections. In the photographs, cooler blue-violet flashes appear among the warmer purple facets, giving the stone a layered, almost crystalline appearance.

The color is especially striking against the sapphire's elongated oval silhouette. Lighter lavender reflections along the perimeter contrast with deeper violet areas toward the center, creating visual depth without losing the delicacy of its orchid palette.

Untreated and naturally colored, this Madagascar sapphire offers a distinctive interpretation of purple sapphire, with its fantasy faceting playing an equally important role in its appearance.

The Lapidary's Eye

The most unusual feature of this sapphire is its fantasy oval mixed cut. Rather than relying solely on conventional brilliant faceting, the stone displays an intricate arrangement of angular reflections that form an almost kaleidoscopic pattern across its face.

The photographs reveal intersecting triangular and elongated facets, producing sharply defined flashes of lavender, violet and blue-purple. These reflections give the oval a geometric character that contrasts with its softly curved outline.

At 7.59 × 5.00 mm, the sapphire has a length-to-width ratio of approximately 1.52:1. Its elongated proportions provide an elegant framework for the intricate faceting, while its 3.69 mm depth contributes to a substantial three-dimensional profile.

Design Possibilities

The sapphire's elongated oval shape makes it well suited to a custom engagement ring, particularly in a north-south solitaire setting that emphasizes its proportions. An east-west orientation could offer a more contemporary interpretation, allowing the unusual fantasy faceting to become the focal point.

Platinum or white gold would complement the cooler lavender and blue-violet reflections, while rose gold could bring out the warmer pinkish-purple tones. A minimal bezel or carefully positioned prongs would allow the gemstone's complex internal reflections to remain visually prominent.

For a jewelry designer, this stone offers an opportunity to pair unconventional faceting with a familiar, wearable silhouette.