5.50 Ct. Green Cabochon Jade from Burma (Myanmar)

This finely presented oval green jade weighs 5.50 carats, and measures 13.99 by 12.06 by 3.81 millimeters, offered by The Natural Gemstone Company. The cutting style is a classic cabochon, executed to an oval outline with a balanced, low to medium dome that emphasizes the stone color while maintaining a low profile from the thickness measurement. The material is opaque, with a uniform medium color intensity that provides a consistent visual presence without overpowering a setting. The surface displays an excellent polish, producing a smooth, nearly mirror like luster across the dome that enhances tactile appeal and optical evenness. There are no enhancements, the piece is natural Burmese jade, and the origin from Myanmar contributes to its desirability and historical pedigree in the marketplace.

The cabochon cutting approach was selected to align with the material properties and the visual goals for this stone, prioritizing continuity of color and structural stability. Cabochons are cut by orienting the rough to follow the strongest, most cohesive grain direction, minimizing potential stress concentration by avoiding thin points and sharp angles. The lapidary sequence begins with coarse diamond wheel shaping to establish the oval silhouette, followed by progressive grinding through finer diamond grits to refine the dome and girdle, and finalized by a precision polishing step using diamond impregnated compounds to achieve the excellent surface finish noted. The dome height implied by the 3.81 millimeter thickness sits within a practical range for bezel and flush settings, allowing a secure metal jacket to protect the stone edge, while the oval proportions of 13.99 by 12.06 millimeters provide a classic footprint that balances visual mass with wearability.

From a technical durability perspective this Burmese jade exhibits attributes that make it exceptionally well suited for daily wear. Jadeite from Myanmar typically possesses a Mohs hardness in the range of 6.5 to 7.0, and more importantly it derives notable toughness from its interlocking granular crystalline structure. This microstructure imparts resistance to cleavage and crack propagation, meaning that under typical impact and abrasion conditions the stone is much less likely to chip or fracture compared with many other gem materials that may be superficially harder but structurally brittle. The specific gravity around 3.3 contributes to a satisfying substantial feel when mounted, and the overall compact dome and robust body provide excellent resistance to point loading. Chemically the material is stable in household environments, resisting alkaline and mildly acidic agents encountered in daily life, and because this specimen is unenhanced there is no concern about loss of surface layers or color migration under routine cleaning. For routine maintenance warm soapy water and a soft brush will remove oils and residues, and professional ultrasonic cleaning is generally acceptable for untreated jadeite, although prolonged exposure to high temperature steam cleaning should be avoided as a conservative measure to preserve mounting integrity and any associated metals.

When translating this durable gem into jewelry the cabochon profile and medium color intensity offer broad design flexibility while preserving protection and longevity. Bezel settings are recommended to encase the oval perimeter, providing a continuous metal rim that guards the girdle and distributes impact forces, which is particularly advantageous for ring and bracelet applications. The relatively shallow dome makes the stone comfortable for everyday rings and pendants, and it can be set in 18 karat gold, platinum, or sterling silver depending on design and wearer preference, with warm yellow metals accentuating the green tones or cool white metals offering a contemporary contrast. For higher traffic pieces like rings and bracelets a full bezel or half bezel with a well engineered seat will reduce exposure of the shoulders to knocks, and for pendants a recessed cup setting or halo with protective gallery rails will preserve the surface polish and maintain the classical cabochon aesthetic. The natural Burma provenance and absence of enhancements enhance long term value and collector appeal, and at The Natural Gemstone Company we control sourcing and cutting specifications to ensure that the instrument grade finish and the structural decisions made by the lapidary match the durability requirements expected by discerning clients seeking jewelry for daily wear.