2.16 Ct. Garnet from Ceylon (Sri Lanka)

This remarkable gemstone is a transparent red garnet that weighs 2.16 carats. It has been expertly shaped into a heart, with dimensions measuring 7.51 x 8.12 x 5.07 millimeters. Featuring a mixed brilliant cut, the garnet showcases exceptional faceting that enhances its inherent brilliance and fire. Its clarity grade is designated as very slightly included, assessed at eye level, meaning that while it contains minute inclusions, they are not visible to the naked eye and do not detract from its overall visual appeal.
The garnet exhibits a vivid color intensity, rendering its red hue both deep and vibrant. This strong saturation is a testament to its high-quality nature and contributes significantly to its allure. Additionally, the gemstone boasts an excellent polish, indicative of superior craftsmanship that allows for maximum light reflection, ensuring the garnet's surface is smooth and lustrous.
Originating from Ceylon, known today as Sri Lanka, this garnet is part of a rich tradition of gemological excellence. Ceylon garnets are celebrated for their clarity and vivid coloration, often occupying a revered place among connoisseurs of fine gemstones. This gem's provenance from Sri Lanka adds a layer of historical and geographical significance, linking it to a heritage of mining that stretches back centuries.
Scientifically, garnet is a group of silicate minerals that have been utilized since the Bronze Age as gemstones and abrasives. This particular garnet likely belongs to the almandine or pyrope species, both renowned for their inclusion in fine jewelry due to their rich hues and stability. Garnets belong to the cubic crystal system, which is part of what enables their excellent refractive properties and contributes to their brilliance.
In summary, this 2.16 carat heart-shaped red garnet is a gem of significant quality and beauty, characterized by its mixed brilliant cut, vivid color intensity, very slight inclusions, and excellent polish. Originating from Sri Lanka, it represents not only a fine example of natural craftsmanship but also a piece steeped in historical gemological tradition. Such attributes make it a highly desirable specimen for any collector or aficionado of fine gemstones.