1.06 Ct. Spinel from Ceylon (Sri Lanka)

This oval shaped blue spinel is a compact and elegant example of natural gem quality, weighing 1.06 carats, measuring 5.99 by 5.01 by 4.22 millimeters, and presenting a transparent body with intense color intensity. Cut as a mixed brilliant, the faceting pattern combines a classical brilliant style crown for optimal scintillation, with a carefully proportioned pavilion that enhances depth and color saturation. The clarity is graded as slightly included, evaluated at eye level, which means that minor internal features are present under careful inspection but do not detract from the stone s overall visual appeal or its ability to return light. The polish is excellent, which contributes to strong surface luster and crisp facet junctions. There has been no enhancement, the gem is natural and untreated, and its origin is Ceylon, Sri Lanka, a region renowned for producing spinel with vivid hues and fine crystallographic quality. At The Natural Gemstone Company we present this spinel as a ready candidate for a refined jewelry setting, or as a collectible specimen for an informed buyer.

To an educated buyer the technical parameters of this spinel are immediately relevant, and they explain why this piece offers enduring value. Spinel is a durable gem species, registering eight on the Mohs scale of hardness, which provides excellent wearability in rings and everyday jewelry while resisting abrasion better than many alternative gems. The mixed brilliant cut here has been executed to balance brilliance with color, preserving the intense blue tone while allowing flashes of white light across the crown faceting. Slight inclusions visible at eye level are typical for natural spinel and serve as evidence of authenticity, they also leave the gem s visual performance largely uncompromised, particularly given the excellent polish. The lack of enhancement is significant, because heat treatment or diffusion can alter appearance and complicate valuation. In the marketplace, natural, untreated stones of strong saturation from Sri Lanka are relatively uncommon when compared with more widely available materials, which makes this specimen attractive for connoisseurs who prioritize provenance and natural state. The measured proportions result in a stone with a pleasing face up presence for its carat weight, a consideration that collectors and jewelers both weigh when assessing cost per carat and the likely finished look in a bezel, prong, or halo mounting.

The story of how this spinel moved from mine to market reflects traditional Sri Lankan gem pathways combined with modern standards of selection and grading. It began in the gem gravels and weathered deposits associated with Ceylon s historic mining districts, where small scale miners work alluvial terraces and channel deposits to recover gem rough. The rough was hand sorted locally by experienced finders and then sent to skilled lapidaries who determined the optimum orientation for cutting, choosing a mixed brilliant design to emphasize both depth and surface fire. After cutting and polishing, the stone was inspected by our gemological team at The Natural Gemstone Company, who measured dimensions, weighed the stone, evaluated clarity at eye level, and confirmed the absence of enhancement. High resolution imaging and careful color assessment under standardized lighting completed the selection process, ensuring that the gem presented online or in our showroom matches the descriptive specifications buyers expect. This chain of custody from artisanal recovery through expert cutting and professional grading preserves both the character and the market value of the stone.

For those considering this 1.06 carat Ceylon blue spinel, think in terms of longevity and authenticity, elegance of tone and practical wearability. The intense blue saturation and excellent polish make the gem visually compelling, while the slightly included clarity grade and natural, untreated status provide provenance and reassurance. Whether you are commissioning a bespoke engagement ring where the gem s hardness and color will stand out against white or warm metals, or you are adding to a collection of rare and well provenanced spinels, this gem represents a measured investment in natural beauty and documented quality. At The Natural Gemstone Company we can provide additional viewing images, setting recommendations, and expert advice to help you choose the ideal mounting to complement the stone s proportions and color, and we will ensure secure, transparent handling from our hands to yours.