10.18 Ct. Cabochon Garnet from Ceylon (Sri Lanka)

This exquisite translucent garnet weighs 10.18 carats and is cut into a classic oval shape with dimensions of 13.76 by 9.60 by 6.84 millimeters, presented as a cabochon to best showcase its warm orangish red hue. The stone displays an intense color intensity, which is the primary determinant of appeal and value in garnets, and it shows a high degree of internal uniformity when viewed at normal distances. The clarity grade is very slightly included evaluated at eye level, meaning that under unaided visual inspection the inclusions are minimal and do not detract from the gem’s overall presence or light performance. The cabochon cut, combined with an excellent polish, gives the surface a satiny luster and allows light to diffuse softly through the stone, enhancing the saturated color and the sense of depth that makes larger garnets particularly desirable. Importantly, this gem is in its natural state with no enhancement, a feature prized by collectors and informed buyers who value untreated examples for both aesthetic and long term investment reasons.

From origin to presentation the journey of this garnet reflects care at every stage, beginning in Sri Lanka, historically known as Ceylon, a region with centuries of gem trading and a reputation for producing richly colored stones. In Sri Lanka the rough material is often recovered by small scale and artisanal miners working in alluvial deposits and weathered rock, where garnet crystals are separated by hand through sieving and washing. The rough pieces that exhibit intense color and translucency are sorted and sent to local cutters and lapidaries, who determine the best approach for each piece. For this specimen the decision to fashion a cabochon was deliberate, based on maximizing color saturation and minimizing the visual impact of its internal characteristics, while preserving weight and natural form. Skilled cutting and polishing in experienced gem workshops, using time tested techniques, produced the smooth dome and even plane of the oval aspect, culminating in an excellent polish that enhances the tactile quality as well as the visual finish.

After cutting the stone undergoes independent visual grading and a sequence of quality control checks, where color, clarity, cut, and polish are documented, and the absence of treatments is verified through standard gemological observation. The modest presence of inclusions, noted as very slightly included at eye level, is consistent with natural formation processes and can serve as a fingerprint for authenticity and origin, attributes that laboratory reports and experienced gemologists reference when establishing provenance. Shipping from Sri Lanka to our facilities follows established ethical sourcing and chain of custody practices to ensure traceability and compliance, and each step is recorded so that buyers receive both a beautiful gem and a transparent history of how it came to market. At our desk the gem is photographed and cataloged, dimensions and weight are confirmed, and the final presentation is prepared for a collector or jeweler who appreciates unenhanced natural material and the narrative embedded in a stone that moved from riverbeds to refined form.

For the educated buyer this garnet’s value is multifaceted, resting on size, color intensity, natural state, and origin. A 10.18 carat garnet of intense orangish red color in a translucent cabochon form is uncommon, and the combination of an excellent polish with very slightly included clarity yields a gem that is visually compelling and durable for many types of jewelry applications. Garnets are generally robust in daily wear, with a Mohs hardness range that makes them suitable for rings, pendants, and other pieces when set with appropriate protection, and their stable color in natural, untreated examples offers confidence in long term appearance. From an investment perspective, collectors prize larger, untreated specimens from reputable regions like Sri Lanka, because provenance and natural state contribute to enduring desirability. This piece offers both immediate aesthetic pleasure and a documented background that supports its place in a curated collection or a bespoke jewelry commission.

At The Natural Gemstone Company we present this 10.18 carat oval cabochon garnet as an exemplar of natural beauty and careful craftsmanship, combining clear, factual grading information with a verifiable story of origin and handling. We welcome inquiries concerning viewing options, certification, and recommended settings that will best showcase the gem’s intense orangish red color and translucent character. Whether you are acquiring this stone as a collector who values untreated provenance, a jeweler seeking a focal gem for a custom design, or an investor considering tangible assets, this garnet merges geological authenticity, artisanal refinement, and practical versatility in a single, compelling specimen.