1.07 Ct. Spinel from Tanzania

This 1.07 carat pinkish purple spinel from Tanzania presents as a transparent, emerald cut specimen with precise face up dimensions of 5.93 by 4.72 by 3.45 millimeters, clarity graded as very slightly included when evaluated at eye level, intense color intensity, and an excellent polish, the gem is offered by The Natural Gemstone Company with no enhancement, the emerald cut was selected to emphasize color saturation and controlled light return, the step facets and broad table deliver a serene, mirror like flash that reveals the gem body tone evenly across the table, the stone reads as a strong, saturated pinkish purple that leans slightly toward purple in deeper light, the absence of treatment confirms natural origin and long term stability, this combination of weight, dimensions, and cut balance face up presence with wearable scale for rings and small pendants.

Technically the cut is a classical emerald style with concentric step facets on the crown and pavilion, facet planes are parallel and proportioned to create repeating bands of light and dark that enhance perceived depth, the generous table and well scaled crown angle reduce excessive scintillation while promoting broad flashes that communicate the intense hue, the excellent polish preserves crisp facet junctions and smooth girdle edges that aid in clean reflection and precise light return, spinel is isotropic with negligible birefringence which means facet alignment produces consistent optical performance regardless of orientation, typical refractive index for spinel falls around 1.718 to 1.736 which yields a restrained but lively brilliance compared with higher index gems, dispersion is modest, hardness is approximately eight on the Mohs scale which supports durable wearable use, cutter decisions in this piece favored color preservation over brilliant style faceting, the result is a stone that reads larger in color impact relative to its carat weight.

When compared to other gemstones in its commercial category the reflective character of this spinel is distinct, against corundum such as sapphire and ruby which have higher refractive index and display stronger brilliance and fire, this spinel offers a softer, more saturated color expression with cleaner, more mirror like step reflections that avoid the intense pinpoint scintillation typical of brilliant cuts, compared with tourmaline which often displays strong pleochroism and color zoning, the spinel presents a more uniform face up color and a more predictable response to cutting, compared with garnet varieties this spinel generally exhibits steadier, cooler flashes and a slightly higher transparency, compared with diamond the differences are stark, diamond returns intense white light and fire due to very high dispersion and refractive index, the spinel instead rewards the viewer with even color transmission and clean step facet flashes that read as elegant and refined, in practical terms the emerald cut spinel will appear more about color and polish than about exuberant fire, this quality appeals to connoisseurs who prioritize hue purity, even saturation, and cutting precision.

From a setting and design perspective this Tanzanian emerald cut spinel is ideal for projects that highlight color field and symmetry, consider bezel or four prong settings with minimal metal encroachment to preserve table visibility, warm white gold and rose gold will accentuate the pinkish notes while cooler white metals will emphasize purple facets, the stone size and proportions make it suitable for solitaire rings, three stone designs, or as a color center in a subtle pendant, The Natural Gemstone Company confirms origin and treatment status which supports value for collectors and designers seeking natural material, the combination of intense natural color, very slightly included clarity and excellent polish provides a refined optical presence that reads reliably under varied lighting, for clients who appreciate technical cut choices and proven provenance this spinel offers a balanced, enduring option that harmonizes craftsmanship, material quality, and wearable practicality.