18.77 Ct. Cabochon Moonstone from Ceylon (Sri Lanka)

One beautiful translucent 18.77 carat oval shape orange moonstone with dimensions of 20.01 x 15.06 x 8.83 mm is presented by The Natural Gemstone Company, offered as a fully natural, unenhanced specimen. The gem is fashioned as a cabochon cut, with an oval outline and a well balanced dome, exhibiting a smooth, continuous surface and an excellent polish. Clarity is graded as eye clean, evaluated at eye level under standard viewing conditions, indicating that there are no inclusions or imperfections visible to the unaided eye that would detract from the gemology or the visual presentation. The body color displays medium intensity, with a warm orange tone that reads as peachy to salmon under neutral lighting, and the translucency is deliberately maintained to allow internal light diffusion without compromising structural integrity. Origin has been established as Ceylon Sri Lanka, a provenance that is consistent with high quality moonstone material featuring refined color and stable structural characteristics. No enhancement has been applied, confirming that the color, transparency, and surface finish are the result of skilled lapidary work upon naturally occurring material.

From a mineralogical and optical perspective this moonstone is a potassium feldspar bearing the characteristic intergrowths and lamellar twinning between orthoclase and albite that produce adularescence, the soft schiller effect that gives moonstone its trademark glow. The adularescence in this piece is subtle but well defined, manifesting as a diffuse sheen that migrates across the dome as the stone or the light source is moved, a behavior that signals well aligned lamellar layering and minimal disruptive inclusions. The medium color intensity interacts with the adularescence to yield a layered appearance, where the warm body tone provides a backdrop and the internal scatter produces a cooler reflective sheen at certain angles, a desirable contrast for collectors and designers. Translucency is a key factor in the visual dynamics, allowing internal diffusion of light that enhances the adularescent effect while preserving an even color distribution across the oval surface. The lack of visible cleavage planes or stress fractures when viewed at eye level confirms that the material was selected for stability and for the capacity to accept a high polish without surface pits or etch marks.

The cabochon cut was executed with technical precision to optimize the optical phenomena inherent to moonstone, with a dome height calibrated relative to the length and width to maximize adularescence while maintaining wearability in common jewelry settings. The 8.83 mm depth reflects the original rough orientation, preserving sufficient mass to display depth of color and internal glow, while the oval proportions of 20.01 mm by 15.06 mm present a balanced silhouette for both single stone and multi stone applications. Lapidary techniques employed include orientation across cleavage planes to minimize lamellar separation during cutting, controlled preforming to establish the profile, progressive sanding through graded abrasives to remove subsurface damage, and final polishing on ultra fine laps to achieve the excellent polish noted in the report. The polish quality is evidenced by continuous specular highlights and absence of micro abrasions, indicating a final lap sequence and polishing compound that respect the feldspar hardness and structural anisotropy. Because no heat, dye, or other enhancement processes have been used, the gem maintains its natural optical and structural properties, and it responds predictably to standard cleaning methods recommended for feldspar varieties.

For jewelers and informed buyers who appreciate technical refinement, this 18.77 carat orange moonstone offers specific advantages in design and setting. The substantial carat weight and elongated oval outline make it suitable for a variety of applications, including solitaire pendants, central rings with protective bezels, and bespoke brooch work where the dome can be showcased. Bezel settings are advisable for maximum security given the cabochon profile and the sensitivity of feldspar to sharp blows along cleavage directions, while lower gallery designs should be avoided if they risk exposing the pavilion edge to direct impact. Metal choices will influence perceived color, with warm yellow gold enhancing the orange body tone, and pale metals offering a more contemporary contrast against the adularescent sheen. When pairing with accent stones, select materials that complement rather than overpower the subtle schiller, for example small melee diamonds or warm colored sapphires handled at lower intensity grades. As supplied by The Natural Gemstone Company the piece arrives with detailed measurements and a statement of origin, and it represents a fine example of natural Ceylon moonstone, suitable for collectors and designers seeking an unenhanced specimen with verified clarity, cut, and polish.