1.29 Ct. Rhodolite Garnet from Ceylon (Sri Lanka)

This 1.29 carat cushion shape purplish red rhodolite garnet from Ceylon Sri Lanka presents a precise combination of weight and dimensions, 6.54 by 6.45 by 4.05 millimeters, that make it an ideal candidate for a classic solitaire or an intricate halo setting. The stone is cut with a mixed brilliant faceting scheme, combining a faceted crown optimized for light capture with a pavilion geometry tuned for return, producing lively scintillation without compromising color saturation. At eye level the clarity is evaluated as eye clean, indicating that there are no inclusions that interfere with brilliance or visual appeal to the naked eye, and the excellent polish ensures crisp facet junctions and minimized surface diffusion of light. The gem is transparent and untreated, no enhancement, which preserves natural zoning and internal character and supports stable color rendition under varied lighting, a quality highly desirable to connoisseurs and precision setters alike.

Technically the mixed brilliant cut on a cushion outline balances contrast and light return in a way that highlights the rhodolite family color range, here leaning toward a purplish red with vivid intensity. The cushion silhouette permits a slightly larger table and larger crown facets, enhancing face up color while the brilliant pavilion facets return dispersed flashes across the visible spectrum, creating small lively flashes against the deeper body color. The measurements reflect a moderate depth profile that preserves weight without overly darkening the pavilion, a common compromise in melee oriented cuts. The excellent polish allows facet planes to act as efficient mirrors, increasing internal reflection and optimizing brilliance, while careful facet alignment minimizes windowing and ensures uniform light distribution across the crown.

In practical jewelry design terms the purplish red hue of this rhodolite can be engineered to complement a wide range of skin tones by considered choice of metal, setting profile, and surrounding accent stones. On fair skin the vivid purplish red will read as a saturated jewel tone, particularly when set in rose gold which introduces a subtle warm halo effect by reflection, or when set in 18 karat yellow gold which reinforces the red component producing a lively contrast. For medium and olive complexions the stone tends to harmonize naturally as the cool purple undertones balance warm olive tones, and a bezel or low profile prong that exposes the girdle will permit skin tone interaction that enhances depth perception. For tan and deeper skin tones the vivid intensity provides a strong, luminous contrast, especially when mounted in white metals such as platinum or white gold that reflect neutral light back through the stone, allowing the purplish red to appear more vibrant and jewel like against warmer backgrounds.

From a craftsmanship perspective The Natural Gemstone Company presents this rhodolite as a laboratory of finish and proportion, suitable for high precision settings that demand consistency in light behavior. The mixed brilliant cut requires exacting girdle thickness control and precise table percentage to maintain balance between brilliance and color face up, and this specimen demonstrates those controlled parameters in its measured dimensions and lively presentation. The combination of transparency, eye clean clarity, vivid color intensity, excellent polish, and lack of enhancement make the gem appropriate for bespoke settings where color fidelity and longevity are priorities, such as engagement rings with secure prong systems or custom pendants with open back settings to maximize light entry. For designers and collectors seeking a purplish red rhodolite with technical merit and aesthetic versatility, this stone from Ceylon Sri Lanka represents a well considered selection from The Natural Gemstone Company, capable of fulfilling both rigorous technical specifications and refined stylistic intentions.