1.12 Ct. Greyish Blue Spinel from Tanzania

This 1.12 carat oval greyish blue spinel from Tanzania presents a rare combination of size, clarity, and natural color that makes it a compelling choice for a statement piece, and it is offered by The Natural Gemstone Company. The gemstone measures 7.14 x 5.69 x 3.66 millimeters, a proportion that produces a commanding face up area well suited to rings and pendants while maintaining comfortable wearability. The material is transparent with an intense color intensity, a greyish blue tone that remains stable across viewing angles, and a clarity graded as slightly included when evaluated at eye level. There has been no enhancement applied to this stone, and the excellent polish highlights the cutting work without masking the gem sacrality. For buyers who prioritize natural untreated material and verifiable origin, the Tanzanian provenance situates this spinel among a select group of contemporary sources known for producing saturated blue and blue grey material.

The faceting is executed in a faceted mixed brilliant cut, combining a brilliant crown with a modified pavilion that maximizes scintillation and overall light return. Mixed brilliant faceting places smaller, more numerous crown facets above a larger pavilion arrangement, which is effective in balancing sparkle and face up color saturation on gems of this depth. With the given depth of 3.66 millimeters and the oval footprint, the cutter optimized pavilion angles to promote internal reflection while maintaining a pleasing table and crown relationship, resulting in strong contrast and lively facet patterning. Spinel is isotropic and singly refractive, with a refractive index consistent with gem quality spinel, and because it lacks birefringence the faceted pattern reads clean and stable under magnification. The excellent polish of the facets produces crisp facet junctions and minimal surface scattering, which enhances apparent clarity and allows the intense greyish blue color to present with evenness. Slight inclusions are present at eye level, typical of natural spinel, yet they are discrete and do not significantly interrupt the optical pathways created by the mixed brilliant layout.

From a design perspective the dimensions and clarity of this spinel make it especially well suited to applications that emphasize a single dominant stone. The 7.14 by 5.69 millimeter oval sits comfortably within classic solitaires and halo settings, where the transparency and intense color will read as a bold center without requiring exaggerated size to achieve presence. For ring applications, a four or six prong mounting that follows the oval outline will allow maximum light penetration and will showcase the mixed brilliant scintillation. A low bezel or gallery with open pavilion access will protect the girdle while preserving the optical performance, and a well proportioned crown to pavilion relationship will retain the gem face up appeal without appearing shallow. For a pendant, a minimal bezel that secures the girdle and allows unobstructed crown exposure will translate the stone into a highly visible focal point for a statement necklace. Because the spinel is untreated, accent stones such as small round brilliant diamonds will complement the intense greyish blue by providing white sparkle contrast without altering the spinel color dynamics. The slight inclusions contribute to the gemstone story and can be positioned discreetly through careful orientation, ensuring that the face up presentation remains clean and vivid.

The Natural Gemstone Company stands behind the technical and aesthetic qualities of this Tanzanian spinel, with documentation of carat weight, dimensions, cutting style, and enhancement status available on request. The combination of mixed brilliant faceting, excellent polish, intense natural color, and slightly included eye level clarity delivers professional level material for collectors and designers who value untreated specimens with strong visual impact. Care recommendations include avoiding prolonged exposure to harsh chemicals and ultrasonic cleaners, and securing the stone in a setting that protects the girdle while allowing adequate light to reach the crown. For clients seeking certification we can arrange independent laboratory reports that will confirm natural origin and treatment status, and for bespoke commissions our in house design team can advise on optimal crown height and setting geometry to exploit the mixed brilliant faceting. Please contact The Natural Gemstone Company for detailed imaging, facet orientation diagrams, and mounting specifications to ensure that this 1.12 carat greyish blue spinel performs as a memorable and technically refined statement piece.