1.09 Ct. Pink Spinel from Tanzania

This transparent 1.09 carat cushion shape pink spinel measures 6.66 by 5.20 by 3.59 millimeters, yielding a depth of approximately 60.6 percent, and presents a faceted mixed brilliant cutting style that is calibrated to optimize both color and light return. The mixed brilliant design combines a brilliant style crown with step influenced pavilion geometry, producing precise facet junctions that concentrate return light through the moderate table while maintaining intense color saturation in the body of the stone. Clarity is graded slightly included at eye level, with natural internal features that do not compromise transparency under typical viewing distances, and the surface exhibits an excellent polish which provides crisp facet reflections and minimal surface disruption. Origin information records this spinel as from Tanzania, and the stone is natural with no enhancement, a characteristic that preserves native hue and structural integrity while increasing desirability among informed collectors.

From an optical and material perspective this pink spinel offers a distinct balance of brilliance, color, and durability that differentiates it from more commonly encountered gemstones. Spinel displays a refractive index in the neighborhood of 1.72, and a modest dispersion, producing a clean, vitreuse brilliance with restrained fire, a contrast to diamond which shows pronounced dispersion and a higher refractive index near 2.42. Compared to corundum varieties such as pink sapphire or ruby, which typically have a slightly higher refractive index and can exhibit subtle birefringence under certain conditions, spinel is optically isotropic, meaning facet images remain single and sharp with no doubling. This isotropic response, combined with the mixed brilliant faceting, yields a lively, pinpoint scintillation and consistent color across viewing angles, rather than the pleochroic shifts sometimes noted in other pink gemstones. In practical terms the spinel’s hardness near eight on the Mohs scale affords robust wearability for fine jewelry, while the medium color intensity of this specimen maintains excellent saturation without appearing overly dark in all lighting situations.

For designers and buyers seeking a stone that reads lively on the hand, this 1.09 carat cushion pink spinel is proportioned to perform as a principal gem in rings, pendants, and bespoke settings, its dimensions producing a visually substantial face up appearance without compromising finger comfort. The mixed brilliant cut allows for versatile metal pairings, working particularly well with both warm rose gold that echoes the pink saturation, and cool white metals that emphasize crisp facet contrast. Slight inclusions contribute to the natural character of the gem while remaining discreet in everyday wear, and the excellent polish reduces maintenance concerns by minimizing surface wear patterns. As stewards of fine natural material, The Natural Gemstone Company highlights the unenhanced Tanzanian origin of this spinel as a factor in its rarity and collector appeal, and we can provide additional imagery and documentation on request to assist with design decisions or valuation considerations.