10.50 Ct. Greenish Blue Aquamarine from Ceylon (Sri Lanka)

This gemstone is a transparent cushion shape aquamarine weighing 10.50 carats, with exact dimensions 15.72 by 12.98 by 8.47 millimeters. The color is a delicate greenish blue with light color intensity, strongly typical of high quality Ceylon material. Clarity is graded eye clean at typical viewing distances, with no observable inclusions to the unaided eye, which is notable for a stone of this size and transparency. The cutting style is faceted, employing a mixed brilliant approach that maximizes both internal scintillation and surface brilliance, and the finish is an excellent polish that yields a satiny yet highly reflective appearance across the crown facets. This aquamarine has no enhancement, which preserves its natural crystalline character and provides a pure starting point for appreciative buyers and designers.

The mixed brilliant cut on a cushion outline combines modified step facets along the crown girdle area with a brilliant style arrangement in the pavilion and crown center, producing a controlled interplay of contrast and sparkle. With the given proportions the depth is approximately 8.47 millimeters, which translates to a depth ratio of approximately 59 percent relative to the mean of the length and width, a proportion that supports generous light return without excessive windowing. The table has been cut to a medium size to preserve face up color while maintaining lively crown facets, and the pavilion angles have been calibrated to the refractive properties of beryl to avoid extinction and to enhance directional sparkle. Because aquamarine has relatively low dispersion, the cutter prioritized small facet faces and a tight facet junction scheme to generate clean scintillation rather than relying on fire, and the excellent polish emphasizes strong, crisp facet planes that produce saturated flashes of light when the stone is moved.

From a gemological and value perspective this stone presents several refined attributes. Its Mohs hardness is consistent with beryl family specimens, around seven and one half to eight, providing solid wearability in everyday jewelry with appropriate setting protection at the corners. The absence of heat or oil enhancement is important, it means the color and clarity are fully natural and unaltered, and that has a positive effect on long term collectors value. The origin from Ceylon Sri Lanka is significant, as Sri Lankan beryl often exhibits a clear, slightly greenish blue hue with fine crystalline clarity and typically favorable crystal habit for cutting. Microscopically one can expect only minor growth features and possibly isolated two phase inclusions that do not affect transparency, and the eye clean grade confirms that the visual presentation is uninterrupted. The stone’s refractive indices sit in the expected beryl range, which informed the cutter’s choice of mixed brilliant geometry to optimize light performance given the material’s modest birefringence and low dispersion.

In a custom jewelry composition this aquamarine becomes the focal point for several complementary palettes and setting styles. For maximum brightness and contrast consider a halo of small brilliant cut white diamonds, calibrated to 1.2 to 2.0 millimeters, with a tight pavage or micro pave surround to accentuate the face up color and add scintillation at every movement. For a more architectural design use tapered baguette diamonds flanking either side in a three stone arrangement, their step facets providing a textural counterpoint to the mixed brilliant pavilion, and their longer proportions reinforcing the stone’s length visually. If a color anchor is desired, pair the aquamarine with medium to deep blue sapphire side stones, which will stabilize the greenish component and create a layered blue gradient, or introduce warm pinks such as morganite or pink sapphire to create a soft complementary contrast that brings out the green notes. For an analogous scheme consider small tsavorite garnets or peridot accents, selected for saturation and size so they do not overpower the primary stone. Metal choice further refines the outcome, white metals like platinum or 18 karat white gold preserve the cool character and lend a contemporary feeling, yellow gold introduces a warm contrast that intensifies the green component, and rose gold produces a vintage, romantic tonality that harmonizes with softer pastel side stones.

From a technical and practical design standpoint accommodate the cushion outline with either four or six appropriately positioned prongs, with corner prongs shaped to protect the rounded corners intrinsic to cushion cuts, or choose a low bezel band for daily wear settings that still allows light to enter through the crown. For pendant work the stone’s depth supports a flush gallery design that minimizes movement while allowing light to penetrate the pavilion. Consider a double halo architecture for rings where an inner halo of small round brilliants sits close to the girdle and an outer halo provides an additional frame, this multiplies perceived size without losing the center stone’s color. When matching facet geometry across stones, select side gems with facet orientations that reflect rather than compete with the aquamarine’s mixed brilliant scheme, ensuring complementary scintillation patterns. For necklaces and brooches, use graduated accent stones to lead the eye toward the central cushion, and keep accent sizes proportionate so that the 10.50 carat center retains dominance.

As The Natural Gemstone Company we present this Ceylon aquamarine as a premium, natural, and unenhanced center stone suitable for bespoke commission work, and we can provide high resolution imaging and detailed facet maps to support design decisions. We offer CAD renderings to visualize halo configurations, side stone selections, and metal finishes, and our bench partners specialize in settings that respect the stone’s proportions and provide long term security. For care note that gentle cleaning with warm water, mild soap, and a soft brush is the recommended approach, and avoid exposure to harsh chemicals and extreme thermal shock to preserve the unenhanced crystal state. If you would like to explore specific pairings, prototype layouts, or viewing options, contact our design team at The Natural Gemstone Company, we can advise on precise accent stone sizes and cuts, metal choices, and setting geometries to realize the aesthetic and technical goals for your custom piece.