7.21 Ct. Cabochon Jade from Burma (Myanmar)

This specimen is a 7.21 carat oval grey jade, presented in an oval cabochon format with exact dimensions of 14.55 x 12.14 x 4.21 millimeters, opaque in appearance, with a clarity grade assessed as very slightly included at eye level, medium intense body color, and an excellent polish. Origin is recorded as Burma, known today as Myanmar, which is a classical source for high density jade material, principally jadeite in the gem trade. The designation of jade in this context refers to the jadeite class of material, with typical refractive index values around 1.66 to 1.68 and specific gravity near 3.30, characteristics that contribute to the substantial hand feel of this piece relative to its size. No enhancement has been applied to the material, which preserves the stone in its natural state, and allows appraisal of color, texture, and inclusions without ambiguity introduced by dyeing or polymer impregnation.

The cabochon cut employed for this oval is optimized to showcase the material qualities of dense jadeite, concentrating on dome symmetry, even curvature, and a balanced profile to control light interaction across the surface. The dome height has been calibrated to reduce dark windowing at the edges while maintaining an even silhouette for bezel mounting, and the outline exhibits precise symmetry and proportional termination at the girdle. The cutting workflow for a piece of this nature typically involves staged preforming on coarse laps, progressive sanding to refine curvature, and a final high grade polish to close surface microrelief, yielding the excellent polish reported here. The polish presents as a continuous specular reflection with minimal surface disturbance, indicating careful buffing and final figure correction, and the surface finish enhances the uniformity of the grey body color while allowing the submicroscopic interlocking grain to remain perceptible as subtle internal texture.

Optical and inclusion characteristics are important for valuation and setting decisions, and this jade displays very slight inclusions visible at eye level only under attentive examination, inclusions that do not significantly interrupt surface polish or compromise structural integrity. The medium intense grey bodycolor is well distributed, with no strong banding or abrupt zoning, which is favorable for consistent appearance in wearable jewelry. The material is opaque, scattering incident light at a shallow depth, so the cabochon geometry is the ideal choice to create even visual depth without reliance on translucency. From a lapidary perspective, the controlled dome and thickness of 4.21 millimeters provide sufficient mass for the material to resist chipping under normal wear, but due to the Mohs hardness of approximately 6.5 to 7 for jadeite, protective bezel settings and moderate daily wear considerations are recommended, particularly for rings. Bezel setting is recommended to protect the low rise dome, while wire or prong work can be employed for decorative applications in pendants and brooches, with secure seat dimensions accommodating the exact measurements listed.

As requested, technical details for White Opal are included for comparative reference, White Opal being a distinct hydrated amorphous silica gemstone that differs materially from jadeite in structure and handling. White Opal is characterized by a light to white bodycolor, sometimes with translucent to opaque background, and often exhibits play of color caused by diffraction from a regular array of silica spheres, this optical effect being distinct from the scattering and grain related appearance of jade. The typical hardness of opal ranges from 5.5 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale, and opal contains variable water content within its amorphous structure, which contributes to sensitivity to heat and rapid humidity changes. Treatments for opal can include stabilization in doublet or triplet assemblies to protect fragile material and to enhance apparent color, but solid White Opal specimens in natural state are valued for intact material continuity. Care recommendations for White Opal include avoiding prolonged exposure to heat and ultrasonic cleaning, preference for gentle soap and water, and secure mountings that minimize mechanical impact. For both materials, documentation regarding origin and any laboratory reports can be provided on request.

The Natural Gemstone Company presents this piece with full disclosure of origin, dimensions, weight, cut style, clarity grade, color intensity, polish quality, and enhancement status, to support informed acquisition decisions by connoisseurs and technical buyers. Additional services are available upon request, including higher resolution photography under controlled lighting, optional independent gemological verification, and bespoke setting design consultation to match the cabochon geometry and color profile. If you require further technical measurements, such as refractive index, specific gravity verification, or microscopic inclusion imaging, please advise and we will arrange the appropriate analyses.