1.44 Ct. Zircon from Ceylon (Sri Lanka)

This 1.44 carat oval green zircon offered by The Natural Gemstone Company is a textbook example of what makes natural zircons so desirable to collectors and connoisseurs, measuring 7.72 by 5.89 by 3.67 millimeters in a classic oval outline. The gem is fashioned with a mixed brilliant cut that retains a faceting scheme designed to balance intense internal fire with lively scintillation across the crown, and it has been given an excellent polish that maximizes surface reflection and visual crispness. Clarity is graded as very slightly included evaluated at eye level, which indicates that the stone is effectively clean to the unaided eye, with any internal characteristics minimal and not detracting from the overall transparency. Color is described as intense, a saturated green hue that is evenly distributed throughout the stone, and importantly, there has been no enhancement applied to this material, confirming that the color and optical properties are entirely natural. Origin is Ceylon Sri Lanka, a region with a long established reputation for producing high quality zircons with vivid color and good crystal specimens.

The optical performance of this zircon is driven by its intrinsic crystal structure and the precision of the cutting. Zircon is notable among gemstones for a higher refractive index than many common gem materials, which means light is bent and internally reflected more strongly on each facet, producing a bright, lively appearance. In addition, zircon exhibits measurable birefringence, which can impart a subtle doubling of facet edges under magnification and contribute to a complex, layered sparkle that changes as the gem is moved. The mixed brilliant cut used here takes advantage of these material properties by combining a faceted pavilion that returns light efficiently with a crown design that fragments that returned light into flashes of white brilliance and spectral flashes of color. The excellent polish is a critical finishing detail, because smooth facet junctions and a finely polished table allow more light to enter, interact within the stone, and exit in controlled flashes, rather than scattering at the surface. The result is a sparkle that compares favorably with many colored gemstones, delivering both strong brilliance and attractive fire, while the stone retains the depth of its intense green color rather than appearing washed out.

From a grading and buyer perspective this zircon presents a compelling value proposition. The very slightly included clarity at eye level means a visually clean face up presentation, which is especially important for a gem with strong color and high transparency, because inclusions that are absent or minimal allow both color saturation and light performance to come through undisturbed. The absence of enhancement is significant to knowledgeable buyers who prioritize natural provenance and who understand that unheated, untreated color is rarer and often more desirable. Sri Lankan origin further reinforces the pedigree, as Ceylon zircons are historically prized for their pure and saturated hues, and for producing clean crystals suitable for fine cutting. For jewellery use this stone is ideally suited to a protective setting for a ring or an elegant pendant where the mixed brilliant cut can catch and reflect light, and where the wearer can appreciate the play of brilliance and fire without exposing the stone to unnecessary abrasion. Care recommendations include avoiding sharp knocks and abrasive cleaners, and choosing settings that shield the girdle while allowing the crown to display its optical virtues. For the educated buyer seeking a natural, intense green zircon with superior cut, polish, and documented origin, this 1.44 carat oval from The Natural Gemstone Company is an excellent example of quality, transparency, and the unique sparkle that zircon delivers.