1.62 Ct. Greenish Yellow Zircon from Ceylon (Sri Lanka)

This 1.62 carat round greenish yellow zircon presents precise proportions and meticulous cutting, creating a gem that balances fire and brilliance with technical finesse. The stone measures 6.89 by 6.96 by 4.11 millimeters, yielding a measured depth of approximately 59.4 percent relative to the average diameter, a proportion that is well suited to a mixed brilliant design. The mixed brilliant cut on this piece combines a brilliant style crown with a modified pavilion geometry, a configuration selected to maximize return of light and to enhance dispersion without encouraging windowing. The crown facets are faceted to generate scintillation across a full table face, while the pavilion exhibits stepped or modified pavilion facets that reinforce the stone s internal reflections and contribute to a lively, controlled play of light. The table and crown relationships have been calibrated to the stone s diameter and refractive behaviour to deliver consistent sparkle under varied viewing angles.

Optically the gem displays a medium color intensity in a pleasing greenish yellow hue, consistent with zircon material from the Ceylon region, and the color is distributed evenly through the body of the stone. The clarity is graded as very slightly included when evaluated at eye level, which in practical terms means minor inclusions are present but do not disrupt overall transparency or brightness to the naked eye. The stone exhibits excellent polish, which allows facet junctions to remain crisp and contributes to clean mirror surfaces on both crown and pavilion. Zircon s intrinsic optical properties produce notable brilliance and a degree of dispersion or fire that is more pronounced than common silicate gems, and the cutter has used the mixed brilliant concept to harness that dispersion while maintaining balanced white light return. Birefringence can be a material characteristic in zircon, however the well executed facet architecture here minimizes any visible doubling in everyday viewing, preserving crisp facet definition and a pleasing window free appearance.

From the perspective of durability the gem performs as a robust collectible with appropriate care, however zircon is not as hard as corundum or diamond. On the Mohs hardness scale this zircon falls in the range of about 6.5 to 7.5, which is lower than sapphire and ruby at 9, and considerably lower than diamond at 10, but comparable to or slightly harder than quartz which rates 7. This hardness profile means the stone resists everyday wear to a reasonable degree, however it is more susceptible to abrasion and sharp impact than higher hardness gems, and it also displays distinct cleavage tendencies in certain crystallographic directions that make it more vulnerable to chipping under extreme force. For ring use we recommend protective settings such as bezel or partial bezel mounts, or a halo design that provides metal protection around the girdle, and for active daily wear an elevated prong set should be chosen with care. Cleaning should be completed with mild soap and a soft brush and ultrasonic cleaning or steam should be avoided due to potential sensitivity to heat and mechanical shock. The stone is unenhanced, of natural origin from Ceylon Sri Lanka, and presented by The Natural Gemstone Company as a fine example of expert cutting and natural gem character, suitable for collectors and connoisseurs who value precise facet symmetry, natural coloration, and the distinct optical personality of zircon.