5.90 Ct. Cabochon White Opal from Burma (Myanmar)

This piece is a 5.90 carat oval cabochon of Burmese jadeite, carefully measured at 14.12 by 10.11 by 4.57 millimeters, presenting a classical oval proportion with a length to width ratio of approximately 1.40, a proportion that lends itself to both vertical and horizontal settings while preserving the stone physics for secure bezels and prong beds. The cabochon cut has been executed with attention to dome symmetry and table curvature, producing a low to medium dome that optimizes surface reflection and internal light play without sacrificing face up spread. Clarity is graded as very slightly included at eye level, indicating inclusions that are present but not disruptive to overall aesthetic when examined unaided, and they appear as fine internal liquified veining and subtle mineral speckling consistent with natural jadeite formation from metamorphic host rock. Color intensity is faint, a delicate celadon leaning toward a pale bottle green, with gentle tonal zoning across the table that is best appreciated under directional light. The polish is excellent, the surface exhibiting a glassy, almost waxy luster achieved through progressive lapidary steps and final diamond paste finishing, and the stone is confirmed to be untreated, with no enhancement recorded, a status that preserves original material integrity and contributes to its collector value.

From a gemological and craftsmanship perspective the piece offers several points of interest for the discerning buyer. The specific gravity of jadeite being relatively high compared to many other gem materials means that the 5.90 carat weight corresponds to appreciable visual mass in hand, and the cabochon height of 4.57 millimeters provides depth for color distribution without creating excessive visual bulk when set. The cutter oriented the material to minimize the appearance of the very slight inclusions, aligning faint internal structures along the length of the oval so that they act as character lines rather than distraction. The polish consistency across the girdle and domed surface indicates that the final finishing wheels were applied with controlled pressure and graduated abrasives, resulting in a continuous reflective field that enhances the stone optical continuity. Because the stone is opaque to semi translucent in areas, evaluation of color and clarity at the surface relies on surface reflection and transmitted light through thinner margins, and this cabochon has been shaped to take advantage of slight translucency toward the dome edges. As provenance factors strongly in market perception, the Burma origin is significant and is disclosed as part of the appraisal context, providing historical and geological provenance that appeals to connoisseurs focused on classic jade sources.

Beyond technical description there is a considered romantic narrative tied to the stone inherent qualities that often resonates with clients seeking meaning in material. Imagine the faint celadon hue as the first leaf unfurling on a highland branch after a monsoon on the Burmese plateau, the very slight internal inclusions like river threads and weathered sediment that record a slow geological conversation, and the excellent polish as the final breath of human hands translating an ancient landscape into wearable art. This backstory enhances appreciation of the stone as more than a commodity, it is a fragment of terroir, conserved and accentuated by precise lapidary technique. For design directions, consider pairing this jade with a White Opal accent, the white opal bringing gentle play of light and milky background that complements the faint green and subtle inclusions, allowing for contrast in optical activity while maintaining a soft palette. The Natural Gemstone Company presents this piece as an untreated, well proportioned example of Burmese jade, suitable for bespoke settings where the cutter intent and natural story remain visible, and for buyers who value technical provenance alongside poetic origin.