3.14 Ct. Spessartite Garnet from Ceylon (Sri Lanka)

One beautiful transparent 3.14 carat oval shape orange spessartite garnet is presented by The Natural Gemstone Company, offered with precise dimensions of 8.82 x 7.38 x 5.43 mm. This gem has been cut to a mixed brilliant style, combining a faceted crown with a modified pavilion to balance table brilliance and scintillation. The color reads as an intense orange, rich and saturated with warm undertones that remain vivid under a range of lighting conditions. Clarity has been evaluated at slightly included when viewed at eye level, which preserves the gem quality and visual appeal while remaining honest about natural characteristics. The polish is excellent, producing crisp facet junctions and a bright surface that opens the gem to lively reflections. Enhancement by heat treatment has been applied, a standard and stable process used to refine color saturation and remove minor color zoning, and the stone is documented as originating from Ceylon Sri Lanka, a provenance that adds both historical interest and geographic desirability.

From a gemological perspective, spessartite garnet is prized for its high refractive index and lively dispersion, properties that translate into notable brilliance and subtle fire when a gem is well cut. The mixed brilliant cut of this oval spessartite has been executed to take advantage of these optical properties, with a crown geometry that promotes efficient return of light through the table and a pavilion arrangement that breaks light into flashes across the face of the gem. The intense color intensity works in concert with the cut to maximize contrast between facet reflections, allowing the orange hue to read consistently saturated rather than washed out or overly dark. For an educated buyer considering optical performance and color stability, this combination of natural spessartite chemistry, cut quality, and heat enhancement yields a gem that performs beautifully in both indoor and outdoor lighting.

Examining the geometry and faceting in more detail, the oval outline measures 8.82 mm by 7.38 mm with a depth of 5.43 mm. When the depth is considered against the average diameter, the girdle to pavilion proportions create a solid three dimensional presentation that contributes to the stone feeling substantial on the finger. The mixed brilliant approach typically employs a faceted crown with star and kite elements above a modified pavilion that can include step facets or a reduced number of pavilion facets compared to a full brilliant. This careful facet arrangement is intended to provide maximum light play, meaning strong return of white light for brilliance and well distributed flashes of color and dispersion when the stone moves. Facet symmetry and alignment are evident in the images, and the excellent polish supports crisp mirror planes so that each facet behaves predictably under light, enhancing overall scintillation and making the most of the gem material.

Clarity characteristics in spessartite garnets are often part of the natural identity of the stone, and this example is graded as slightly included at eye level. That evaluation indicates minor internal features that can be seen with careful inspection but do not materially detract from the stone fundamentals such as transparency, color, and brilliance. Slight inclusions can also act as natural fingerprint markers that support origin statements and allow experienced gem professionals to distinguish one specimen from another. The heat treatment disclosure is important for transparency with buyers, and that treatment is widely accepted in the trade as a stable method to enhance color without compromising structural integrity. Origin from Ceylon Sri Lanka is an intriguing aspect for collectors, because while spessartite is more commonly associated with localities like Nigeria and Namibia, Sri Lankan material that exhibits vibrant orange tones and attractive clarity is particularly desirable for those seeking rarer geographic provenances in their collection.

This spessartite garnet is well suited to a range of jewelry applications, most commonly as the central stone in a ring or a pendant where the oval silhouette and vivid orange color will be immediately noticed. The dimensions and weight allow for a comfortable center in a classic solitaire ring setting or an elegant halo design that could enhance apparent size while providing protective prongs. For metal choices, warm tones such as 14 karat or 18 karat yellow gold or rose gold will complement the orange hue and emphasize the warmth, while a fine white metal setting can create striking contrast that makes the color pop. From an investment and collection perspective, the combination of an uncommon origin, natural spessartite chemistry, precise mixed brilliant faceting, excellent polish, and transparent documentation of treatment make this stone a compelling purchase. The Natural Gemstone Company stands behind its gems with careful description and provenance notes, and we are available to provide additional imagery certification recommendations and setting advice to ensure this 3.14 carat oval orange spessartite garnet is showcased to its full potential in your next custom piece.