2.96 Ct. Topaz from Ceylon (Sri Lanka)

This specimen is a transparent 2.96 carat oval white topaz, precision cut to dimensions of 9.11 x 7.24 x 5.79 millimeters, sourced from Ceylon, Sri Lanka and presented by The Natural Gemstone Company. The cutter employed a mixed brilliant cutting style, with a faceted crown executed in standard brilliant geometry and a pavilion that incorporates modified step and brilliant facets to balance light return with weight retention. The table and crown facets are proportioned to maximize scintillation while preserving a pleasing oval outline. The girdle is faceted and consistent in thickness, and the culet is small and centered, contributing to symmetrical light performance. The stone was graded near colorless in color intensity and evaluated as eye clean at normal viewing distance, with an excellent polish that delivers crisp facet junctions and a pronounced mirror finish on facet surfaces.

The mixed brilliant faceting creates a complex interplay between dispersion and scintillation, producing lively flash without appearing overly icy or mechanical in tone. The crown facets act to break and refract incident light into white return and subtle spectral flashes, while the pavilion configuration provides deep light traps that enhance internal brilliance. The measured depth of the stone is 5.79 millimeters which gives an approximate depth ratio near 71 percent when calculated against the mean of the length and width, a percentage that favors strong presence and robust light return for an oval of this size. The craftsmanship emphasizes balance, with careful consideration given to table size, crown height, and pavilion angles, yielding a gem that performs well under a variety of lighting conditions and remains stable in visual appearance when viewed from different angles.

Internal features in this topaz function as unique identifiers and contribute to the individuality of the piece, even though the stone is eye clean at normal viewing distances. Under magnification the gem displays very fine characteristics such as needle like growth tubes, occasional tiny mineral inclusions that appear as pinpoint crystals, and faint growth zoning lines. These micro features are oriented along crystallographic directions consistent with topaz from Sri Lankan deposits, making them useful for provenance tracing and long term identification. The inclusions do not detract from optical performance, instead they provide a natural fingerprint that can be used in future verification and documentation. Collectors and gemologists will appreciate that these internal markers offer a balance between aesthetic purity and verifiable natural origin, as each inclusion pattern is unique to the individual crystal and can be recorded in documentation and imagery.

The stone has been enhanced by irradiation, a stable, industry accepted treatment that has been disclosed. Irradiation is employed to modify defect centers and broaden the range of achievable color states in topaz, and in this specimen the treatment results in a consistent near colorless appearance that is stable under normal wear conditions. Heat post irradiation is sometimes applied in the trade, however this gem is documented only as irradiated, and no additional heat treatment is indicated in our records. The excellent polish and precise facet symmetry combine with the treatment to deliver a clean, bright table and lively pavilion return. For design integration the near colorless white topaz pairs exceptionally well with White Opal when a softer body tone and subtle contrast are desired, as the opal brings diffuse play of color and a milky body tone, while the topaz contributes defined brilliance and structural clarity. The origin from Ceylon, Sri Lanka enhances the specimen s collectability, as Sri Lankan topazes are known for fine crystallography and attractive luster, and The Natural Gemstone Company provides full disclosure and imagery to support authentication and appraisal.