0.70 Ct. Greenish Blue Spinel from Ceylon (Sri Lanka)

This 0.70 carat oval greenish blue spinel from Ceylon, offered by The Natural Gemstone Company, is a technically precise example of fine spinel cutting and material quality. The gem measures 6.11 x 4.79 x 3.21 millimeters, yielding a depth proportion of approximately 59 percent based on the average diameter, a proportion that balances face-up color saturation with lively return of light. The cutter employed a mixed brilliant faceting scheme, combining a faceted crown with brilliant-style pavilion facets to maximize scintillation while preserving intense body color. Clarity is graded as very very slightly included at eye level, indicating only minimal pinpoint inclusions that do not impede transparency or brilliance under typical viewing conditions. The polish is excellent, with sharp facet junctions and no visible polish haze, which enhances contrast and ensures clean light performance. As a natural, unenhanced spinel, it retains its original internal and surface characteristics, and its chemical and physical properties, including the high refractive index and strong dispersion relative to many other gem species, give it a compact, lively appearance and excellent wearability, hardness near 8 on the Mohs scale, and stability for everyday jewelry.

In historical perspective, this greenish blue spinel offers a distinct value proposition when compared to famous museum gems, and its origin and natural state enhance that distinction. Spinel has historically been mistaken for or valued alongside rubies and sapphires, with iconic examples such as the Black Prince’s Ruby and the Timur Ruby underscoring the material’s long-standing prominence in royal collections. Unlike those large red spinels, this Ceylon stone presents an intense greenish blue hue that approaches the saturation admired in classical Ceylon sapphires, while maintaining spinel’s characteristic brilliance and durability. Its mixed brilliant cut produces a scintillation pattern different from the deep, velvety flash of a cushion-cut historic spinel, offering instead a modern, lively sparkle suited to refined, delicate settings. The absence of any enhancement distinguishes it from many commercially treated stones, adding provenance and long-term value for collectors and connoisseurs who prioritize natural material and superior workmanship. For clients seeking a compact, technically excellent gem with historic resonance and a rare greenish blue spinel color, this stone represents a refined, versatile choice from The Natural Gemstone Company.