1.13 Ct. Alexandrite from Ceylon (Sri Lanka)

This listing features a transparent, Other certified 1.13 carat cushion shape alexandrite, measuring 5.53 by 5.21 by 4.75 millimeters, with a mixed brilliant cut, clarity graded as very slightly included at eye level, intense color intensity, and an excellent polish, untreated and of Ceylon, Sri Lanka origin. At The Natural Gemstone Company we present this gem with full attention to its physical specifications and visual performance, because those numbers matter when you compare reflective quality and presence against other stones in the same category. The cushion outline paired with a mixed brilliant pavilion is a deliberate choice to deliver strong light return while preserving the depth needed for the color change from green to brownish yellow, a transition that makes this particular alexandrite both rare and visually compelling. The lack of enhancement ensures the surface, internal reflections, and color dynamics you see are the natural result of the crystal itself, not the result of treatments that can mask weaknesses in clarity or color saturation.

When considering reflective qualities among alexandrites and color change gems, the combination of adamantine luster, refractive behavior, and well executed cutting is what defines superior sparkle and color play. This Ceylon alexandrite benefits from a high quality polish and a mixed brilliant cut that together maximize internal return and precise facet junctions, creating crisp, lively flashes of light. Compared to many alexandrites that are cut to emphasize color at the expense of brilliance, this example strikes a balanced compromise so that white light return remains vibrant while the color change remains dramatic. Against other gemstones in the color change category, such as certain garnets and color change sapphires, alexandrite typically offers a more pronounced and complex shift because of its unique way of absorbing and reflecting different wavelengths. In practical terms this means under daylight the gem reads as a saturated, lively green, and under incandescent or warmer light it warms into a nuanced brownish yellow, with reflections that seem to reorganize themselves rather than simply dimming or reddening as many other color change stones do.

Clarity and polish are often underappreciated when comparing reflective success between gemstones, but they fundamentally alter perceived value and visual performance. The designation very slightly included as evaluated at eye level communicates that this stone remains exceptionally clean to most wearers, and the inclusions that do exist are minute enough that they do not interrupt the path of light through the stone or create clouding that can deaden brilliance. Many alexandrites on the market show internal fissures or silk that scatter light and reduce contrast, or they are given heavy polish to hide cutting errors which can leave a greasy sheen instead of a crisp sparkle. By contrast this gem has an excellent polish and careful facet symmetry that enhance contrast and scintillation, so each movement reveals quick, bright flashes against deep color zones. For buyers weighing options among alexandrites, or comparing to more common gems like sapphire and spinel, the clarity and finish here mean you will perceive stronger fire and more lively surface reflections, even at modest carat weight, because the stone does not suffer from light leakage or surface diffusion.

Beyond its reflective superiority, this alexandrite offers a combination of traits that set it apart in value and uniqueness, and that make it attractive for collectors and designers alike. The cushion mixed brilliant cut presents as an elegant, contemporary shape that sits well in a variety of settings while preserving the optical behavior that defines alexandrite charm. The green to brownish yellow shift is less common than the classical green to red transition, and that rarity of hue pathway makes this gem a distinctive conversation piece, especially when the color change reads vividly under different light sources. Origin from Ceylon, Sri Lanka contributes to the stone s provenance story, because Sri Lankan alexandrites are often prized for their transparency and lively tones. With no enhancement, an excellent polish, and a clarity grade that allows light to work unobstructed within the gem, this alexandrite stands out beside many market alternatives that require treatment, or that show compromised brilliance due to inferior cut or clarity. At The Natural Gemstone Company we guide buyers to look beyond carat alone and focus on how a stone behaves with light, because reflective performance determines daily enjoyment and long term beauty, and this 1.13 carat Ceylon cushion alexandrite delivers on every front.