1.88 Ct. Garnet from Ceylon (Sri Lanka)

This 1.88 carat oval red garnet from Ceylon, offered by The Natural Gemstone Company, is a technically refined specimen with precise dimensions of 8.14 by 6.08 by 4.58 millimeters, a mixed brilliant faceting scheme, and an evaluation of very very slightly included at eye level. The mixed brilliant cut combines a brilliant-style crown with a faceted pavilion that optimizes both scintillation and controlled light return, producing lively facet reflections while preserving depth of color. The gem is transparent, with dark color intensity and an excellent polish, and it is completely natural with no enhancement. These specifications together describe a stone that balances optical performance and chromatic saturation, suitable for settings where both color depth and light play are important design considerations.

From a chromatic and gemological perspective this garnet presents a saturated deep red hue with strong saturation and a relatively dark tone. The mixed brilliant faceting accentuates internal facet contrast, producing bright pinpoint flashes on the crown while maintaining the rich body color on face up observation. Because garnets typically show minimal pleochroism compared to other species, the face up color remains consistent across viewing angles, and the very very slightly included clarity grading indicates that inclusions do not materially interrupt light transmission at typical viewing distances. The excellent polish enhances facet definition and reduces surface diffusion, which increases apparent brilliance and allows the red chroma to register cleanly against reflective facet planes. The lack of heat or chemical enhancement means the observed color and optical features are intrinsic to the crystal chemistry of this Sri Lankan garnet, which informs both its stability and long term appearance in jewelry.

When set into finished jewelry this garnet’s dark, saturated red can be made to complement a wide range of skin tones by careful choices of metal, setting style, and accent stones. On fair complexions the high contrast between pale skin and the gem’s saturated red creates a vivid focal point, and pairing the stone with yellow gold will warm the perceived tone and emphasize red orange nuances, while white metals provide a modern, high contrast presentation that emphasizes the jewel’s velvety depth. For medium and olive skin tones the garnet reads as harmoniously warm, and rose gold settings will subtly amplify red saturation and produce a cohesive, skin-integrated appearance. On deeper skin tones the stone’s dark intensity becomes richly luminous against the background of the skin, and both yellow gold and white platinum settings work well, with yellow gold warming the overall look and white metals accentuating internal flashes. Accent diamonds or small white melee used as halos or shoulders increase apparent brightness and contrast, effectively elevating perceived fire and creating border-induced scintillation without altering the garnet’s intrinsic hue.

Practical mounting and design considerations will influence how the color and optical performance present on the finger or as a pendant. The oval outline and the mixed brilliant faceting recommend a prong or half bezel setting that maintains an open pavilion to maximize light entry and avoid windowing or color loss. A full bezel can protect the girdle and be ideal for daily wear, but a thin bezel or a low-profile prong mount is preferable when the goal is to maximize face up brilliance. Orienting the oval along the finger axis elongates the visual field and can enhance the perception of size, while an east west orientation can produce a contemporary look. Attention to table size and pavilion depth during setting will preserve the cut’s balance between brilliance and color saturation, and the use of small accent diamonds or pavé shoulders will increase perceived brightness without shifting hue. Garnet’s hardness range in general is in the mid to upper 6s to 7s, providing good durability for everyday jewelry with basic care, and because this garnet is untreated, avoid exposing the stone to sudden thermal shock or prolonged strong acids. For bespoke design consultations and to view this specific 1.88 carat oval Sri Lankan garnet, please contact The Natural Gemstone Company and our gemmological sales team will provide mounting recommendations, high resolution facet maps, and personalized advice on metal and setting choices to optimize how this stone complements any skin tone.