1.08 Ct. Spinel from Burma (Myanmar)

From the ancient alluvial gravels of Burma to the careful hands of a master cutter, this 1.08 carat oval red spinel tells a story of time and craft. Unearthed in the same storied region that gave the world legendary red gems, the rough carried the quiet promise of a deep, vivid red that only nature can compose. At The Natural Gemstone Company we selected this piece for its rare transparency and its unaltered state, no enhancement, and guided its transformation into a mixed brilliant cut that measures 6.70 by 5.11 by 3.86 millimeters. The cutter respected the stone, balancing weight and brilliance to reveal a polished face with excellent finish, and an internal clarity that reads very very slightly included at eye level. The resulting jewel is vivid in color intensity, alive with the warm, lantern like glow that spinel can show when cut to optical perfection, a color that seems to both capture and return light rather than merely reflect it.

When you compare this spinel to famous gems in history, its lineage becomes even more compelling. Spinel has been mistaken for ruby for centuries, and like the celebrated Black Prince stone that crowns British regalia, Burmese spinels have long carried royal favor, though this piece differs in its remarkable transparency and pure, vivid hue. Where historical rubies from Mogok are praised for pigeon blood saturation, this spinel offers a slightly different character, a deep, steady crimson with a gentler warmth and exceptional brilliance from its mixed brilliant facets. Compared to diamonds known for scintillation and white light play, this spinel returns color and fire, offering a more intimate, colored brilliance that sits like a flame within the gem. Its natural origin and lack of enhancement make it a rare offering for collectors who value provenance as much as beauty. Imagine this gem set as a solitary ring or a classic pendant, a jewel that carries a narrative from Burmese riverbeds, through the artisan s bench, to your personal collection. At The Natural Gemstone Company we present this red spinel as both an heirloom in the making and a piece of geological and cultural history, ready to be worn and admired for generations.