0.73 Ct. Zircon from Ceylon (Sri Lanka)

This transparent 0.73 carat oval brown zircon presents with precise gemological proportions, measuring 5.63 x 4.39 x 2.99 mm, and a depth ratio that translates to approximately sixty percent relative to the average of its length and width. The shape is an elongated oval with symmetrical lobes and well centered table placement, which together promote even light return across the table without undesirable windowing or extinction zones. The cutter employed a mixed brilliant template, combining a brilliant style crown with a pavilion that incorporates modified brilliant facets, resulting in a controlled balance between scintillation and fire. The excellent polish across all facet junctions ensures that facet planes meet crisply, minimizing light leakage and surface diffusion. At an evaluated clarity grade of very slightly included evaluated at eye level, the stone displays inclusions that are minute and generally not visible without magnification, preserving transparency and allowing full appreciation of internal light dynamics.

Color is a defining attribute of this specimen, described as intense brown with warm undertones that remain consistent across practical lighting situations. The saturation level is unusually deep for a stone of this weight and clarity, and the color distribution is remarkably even for an untreated Ceylon zircon, with only the slightest natural variation near facet junctions that enhances depth without producing unattractive color zoning. Compared to the more common blue and yellow zircons that dominate market listings, intensely colored brown zircons in this size range are comparatively scarce, and those that do appear are often heat treated to stabilize tone and clarity. This gem carries no enhancement, preserving natural color chemistry and crystal integrity, which contributes materially to its rarity and collector appeal.

Optical performance reflects both the material properties of zircon and careful lapidary execution. Zircon naturally exhibits strong refractive power and notable dispersion, and this piece translates those characteristics into lively fire and pronounced contrast between facet flashes. The mixed brilliant cut was chosen to optimize these properties, with a moderately angled crown to admit light into the pavilion and a pavilion architecture that returns a composed blend of white brilliance and spectral flashes. Birefringence, a hallmark of zircon, can be perceptible under magnification or rotated viewing, producing a slight facet doubling effect that adds complexity to the visual experience without compromising overall clarity. The excellent polish amplifies scintillation, while the well proportioned depth maintains a favorable spread on the hand, so that the gem reads visually larger than many stones of comparable carat weight with less efficient cutting.

Provenance is documented as Ceylon Sri Lanka, a region with a long history of yielding high quality zircons with stable crystal habits and attractive color varieties. The combination of origin, absence of enhancement, intense natural color, clean eye level clarity, and the 0.73 carat size make this example especially uncommon in the marketplace. For practical settings we recommend protective designs that shield the girdle and girdle junction points, such as bezel or half bezel settings for rings, or low prong secure mounts for pendants, given zircon hardness characteristics that are moderate compared to corundum. The Natural Gemstone Company offers this stone to clients seeking a statement center or a rare collector specimen, and we can provide additional photographs under different lighting angles or arrange viewing with a loupe to inspect the very slight inclusions and facet junctions in person. This brown zircon represents a rare convergence of natural intensity, fine cutting, and untreated provenance, making it an exceptional choice for discerning buyers.