3.48 Ct. Garnet from Ceylon (Sri Lanka)

One transparent 3.48 carat round red garnet is presented with precise dimensions of 9.44 x 9.22 x 5.39 mm, offering a substantial face up appearance for its carat weight. The stone is fashioned in a mixed brilliant cut, combining a scintillating crown facet arrangement with a faceted pavilion that optimizes light return, and it has been evaluated as eye clean at normal viewing distance. Color is a defining attribute of this specimen, described as intense, with a saturated red that reads as both vivid and clean across the visible surface, and the polish is graded excellent, yielding crisp facet junctions and strong facet contrast. There is no enhancement, and the origin is Ceylon Sri Lanka, a provenance that has historically produced garnets with fine color and stable physical properties. The Natural Gemstone Company offers this stone as a natural, untreated example suitable for a variety of jewelry applications where color depth and optical performance are primary considerations.

The mixed brilliant cut concentrates brilliance toward the table and crown, creating lively scintillation when viewed face up, while the pavilion depth of 5.39 mm supports strong return of light and visual depth. The nearly round outline with minor variation between length and width gives the gem a balanced presence, and the cut proportions present a pleasing table to depth ratio that maximizes perceived size without sacrificing durability. Garnet species vary somewhat within the Mohs hardness range, typically between 6.5 and 7.5, and this makes the gem appropriate for daily wear when set with protective design choices and routine care. The eye clean clarity grade ensures minimal interference from inclusions to light performance, and the intense color intensity remains consistent across multiple viewing angles, providing a stable visual character rather than uneven zoning. For practical handling and long term enjoyment the absence of enhancement simplifies appraisal and care, and the Sri Lankan origin may be of interest to collectors focused on geographic provenance.

When designing a complementary setting the red garnet pairs elegantly with high white contrast and with warm tone companions alike, offering flexibility in metal choice and accent stones. A ring or pendant set in 18 karat yellow gold or warm rose gold will enhance the gem warm tone, creating a rich, classical palette, while plains of platinum or 18 karat white gold will yield a contemporary contrast that sharpens the perceived saturation. Accent diamonds in small melee sizes, for example a halo of uniform round brilliant diamonds in the 0.01 to 0.03 carat range, will boost perceived brightness and provide stepping points for the eye, without competing with the central garnet. For a more chromatic approach consider pairing with green tsavorite garnets or chrome diopside for a complementary color scheme, or with blue sapphires for a high contrast, vibrant combination. Pearls or champagne colored diamonds can introduce a softer, vintage sensibility when placed as side stones or as connecting beads in a necklace. In all pairings consider relative refractive indices and facet sizes to maintain cohesive light performance across the composition.

In a custom piece the proportions of the 9.44 x 9.22 x 5.39 mm round garnet lend themselves to settings that protect the pavilion while showcasing the table and crown facet pattern. For rings a four or six prong setting will allow maximum light through the pavilion and crown, revealing the mixed brilliant cut dynamics, while a slightly raised bezel with a scalloped edge will offer additional protection without obscuring the table. In a pendant a low profile basket setting with open gallery will allow light from below to enhance color saturation, and a diamond halo may be graduated to create a soft frame that accentuates the center weight. For earrings consider matched pairs of accent stones either as small rounds or as tapered baguettes along the ear drop, balancing symmetry and motion. When specifying complementary gem sizes and placements select melee diamonds or small sapphires that maintain a clear scale relationship to the 3.48 carat center, for example a halo of thirty to forty 0.01 carat stones, or three graduated side stones of approximately 0.10 to 0.25 carats each depending on the desired silhouette. The Natural Gemstone Company can provide detailed measurements and mounting recommendations to achieve intended optical relationships and to ensure the final piece meets standards for durability and proportion.