Is the price fair for this Ceylon blue sapphire?

[fiona00004]

Don't care for the setting....awhile ago, it was listed at 150$. Being a PSer, I asked too many questions and the seller asked a knowledgeable friend and ended up relisting at 250$. Happens to me too often!

Still, I really like the color. It is 1.18ct 9x 4.4 Ceylon sapphire priced at 250$. Is that still a good price tho?

 

[chrono]

Is the stone a genuine sapphire, synthetic, or simulant? Any way to verify?
Will it bother you (mind clean issue) that it might be diffused?