0.82 Ct. Spinel from Madagascar

This 0.82 carat oval spinel presents a precisely executed mixed brilliant faceting scheme, rendered on dimensions of 6.42 by 5.29 by 3.78 millimeters, yielding a length to width ratio of approximately 1.21, and an overall depth of approximately 64.6 percent. The cutter has balanced crown and pavilion geometries to optimize return of light across the elongated silhouette, with a well centered table and evenly distributed facet junctions that create a controlled starburst effect when viewed face up. The mixed brilliant style combines a faceted crown configured to disperse light with a pavilion that channels and reflects rays back through the crown, resulting in a dynamic interplay of brilliance and scintillation while maintaining the elegant spread expected of an oval. The girdle appears to be within typical working tolerances for secure setting and mounting, and the excellent polish enhances facet crispness, ensuring clean facet intersections and minimal surface hazes that could otherwise detract from light performance.

Optically the stone reads as transparent with a medium intensity greyish violet hue that shifts subtly with changes in illumination, revealing blue and lavender undertones in cool light, and a deeper, moodier violet under warmer lighting. This chromatic nuance is characteristic of fine Madagascan spinel and contributes to the gem being simultaneously understated and distinctive for an engagement ring application. The clarity is graded as eye clean at normal viewing distances, which means inclusions do not impact the stone visually without magnification, allowing for unobstructed light transmission and unencumbered fire. The mixed brilliant cut amplifies contrast and flash, producing pinpoint scintillation along the girdle and a strong central brilliance that reads as a well defined focal point in ring settings. With no enhancement reported, the color and clarity are natural attributes, offering collectors and designers a pure material basis for custom engagement concepts.

From a gemological and practical standpoint this spinel is a compelling choice for an everyday wear center stone, given the inherent durability of spinel and the quality of the cutting. Spinel rates eight on the Mohs hardness scale, providing strong resistance to daily wear scratches while remaining straightforward to set using common techniques. The stone originates from Madagascar, a provenance known for producing spinel with complex, attractive coloration and stable crystal quality, and the absence of treatment preserves both market value and long term color stability. For engagement applications the oval outline with this length to width ratio offers a flattering finger lengthening effect, while the medium intensity greyish violet color pairs well with both white and warm precious metals, allowing designers to emphasize either the cool violet facets or the subtle warmth of yellow or rose gold accents.

At The Natural Gemstone Company we present this spinel as a refined alternative to more traditional engagement center stones, combining technical cutting excellence, natural coloration, and durable gem material in a size that is both intimate and visually impactful. The mixed brilliant faceting provides an engaging optical personality that photographs well and performs under diverse lighting environments, whether in a solitaire mounting that emphasizes central brilliance, in a halo configuration that increases perceived spread, or in a three stone composition where side stones can be selected to complement the greyish violet tone. We can provide additional close up images and measurement verification on request, and our team can advise on setting profiles that protect the girdle while maximizing face up area. This gem is offered with full disclosure of origin and enhancement status, and it is suitable for customers seeking an engagement gem with technical pedigree and a naturally occurring, elegant color profile.