1.01 Ct. Spinel from Ceylon (Sri Lanka)

This is a beautiful transparent 1.01 carat purple spinel, cut in a classic emerald shape, with exact dimensions of 6.06 by 5.43 by 3.28 mm. The gem presents an intense color intensity that is rare for spinel at this size, and the hue reads as a clean, saturated purple that remains lively under varied lighting. Clarity is graded as very slightly included when evaluated at eye level, which means the stone remains visually clean and brilliant to the naked eye, while small natural features confirm its identity as a natural gem. The pavilion and step facets are executed with excellent polish, and the facet junctions and symmetry emphasize the stone s reflective planes, producing crisp mirror like flashes along the table and step faces. This spinel has no enhancement, and its documented origin is Ceylon Sri Lanka, a provenance that is well respected for producing fine, naturally colored spinels. The Natural Gemstone Company offers this piece as a ready to set collector gem, accompanied by detailed images and full disclosure of all attributes to support an informed purchase.

From a gemological perspective this purple spinel exhibits several attributes that make it particularly desirable to an educated buyer who values both rarity and stability. Spinel is singly refractive, with a refractive index range approximately 1.718 to 1.736, and a specific gravity near 3.60 to 3.66, which contribute to a lively brilliancy and a pleasing heft in the hand relative to its size. Hardness on the Mohs scale is about 8, which means this gem is quite durable and suitable for everyday wear when properly set. Unlike many colored stones that rely on heat treatment to enhance color, this specimen is untreated, and the combination of intense natural purple and the transparent crystal structure at just over one carat is an unusual occurrence. Purple spinels of intense saturation are significantly less common than red spinels, and finding one in a well executed emerald cut that maximizes the clarity and color is exceptional. The emerald cut itself is a demanding style for colored stones, because it exposes the body color and internal characteristics more directly than brilliant cuts, so the decision to present this spinel in an emerald configuration speaks to the confidence a cutter had in the quality of the rough.

For collectors and connoisseurs considering this gem as an investment quality piece or as the focal stone for a custom jewelry commission, the factors that drive its value are clear and measurable. Origin from Ceylon Sri Lanka places it within a historical context of fine colored stones, and the absence of enhancement increases market desirability among buyers who prefer natural states. The very slightly included clarity grading evaluated at eye level means that the visible presentation is clean and appealing, while the small internal features provide gemological confirmation of natural origin without compromising optical performance. The combination of an intense purple hue, transparent body, excellent polish, and a precise emerald cut yields a stone that is rare both in size and color compared to typical material available in the market. For practical considerations we recommend settings that protect the corners of the emerald cut, such as bezel or prong configurations that secure the stone while allowing light to enter through the table for optimal color display. Cleaning is straightforward, warm soapy water and a soft brush are ideal, and because the stone is untreated and robust, routine wear is feasible, though avoid exposure to harsh chemicals and severe thermal shocks. When provenance, transparency of treatment, and aesthetic excellence matter, this purple spinel offered by The Natural Gemstone Company stands out as a rare and technically attractive choice for the informed buyer.