1.14 Ct. Purple Spinel from Ceylon (Sri Lanka)

This one point one four carat radiant shape purple spinel presents as a transparent, untreated natural gem from Ceylon, Sri Lanka, supplied by The Natural Gemstone Company. The stone measures six point three eight by five point one seven by three point eight six millimeters, and its combination of weight and dimensions yields a compact, well balanced profile that wears comfortably in rings and pendants. The spinel carries a clarity grade described as very slightly included when evaluated at eye level, and the medium color intensity offers a rich purple that remains lively under varied lighting conditions. The polish is excellent, indicating that the lapidary finished the facet junctions with precision and removed any surface abrasion, preserving the stone s crisp facet contrast and maximizing light return.

The radiant cut of this spinel is a hybrid faceting design that marries steplike geometry on the crown and pavilion with multiple brilliant style facets to generate both broad flashes and scintillation. The cut features trimmed corners and a faceting schema optimized to balance dispersion and contrast, so that the purple hue reads evenly across the table while internal reflections contribute controlled sparkle without excessive windowing. At the reported proportions the depth is approximately sixty six point eight percent based on the average of length and width, a proportion that favors strong light return and depth of color in colored stones, while avoiding the overly deep pavilion that can deaden saturation. The craftsmanship shows careful symmetry and consistent facet alignment, essential to the radiant cut s performance, and the excellent polish further enhances facet crispness and optical clarity.

Color and clarity interact in this piece to create an attractive visual result for discerning buyers. The medium color intensity positions the purple spinel well within a saturation range that preserves vividness without reaching an overly dark tone that can hide internal light play. Spinel color often arises from transition metal trace elements, and in this example the purple hue reads as balanced and pure, with limited secondary undertone effects when viewed face up. The clarity description, very slightly included at eye level, indicates minor inclusions that are natural, discrete, and do not materially interrupt the transparency or the overall brilliance. These inclusions do not appear to compromise durability, and because the gem is unenhanced, its color and clarity are entirely natural expressions of its Ceylon origin. For collectors and custom jewelers who value untreated material, this combination of natural color, modest inclusions, and high polish is particularly appealing.

Durability and wearability are critical technical considerations, and spinel s physical properties make this stone well suited for frequent wear. Spinel ranks eight point zero on the Mohs hardness scale, which places it notably harder than common gem materials such as quartz, and within a comfortable range for engagement ring use, while remaining softer than corundum at nine point zero and much softer than diamond at ten point zero. Beyond hardness alone, spinel exhibits no true cleavage, which means it is less likely to fracture along defined planes under impact, and it displays good toughness that enhances real world durability. Given its hardness and toughness profile, this spinel can be set in settings intended for daily wear, though basic protective design choices such as secure prongs or bezel settings will further safeguard the stone from knocks. At The Natural Gemstone Company we match such technical assessment with professional recommendations for mounting and care, and we are available to advise on setting styles that preserve the gem s optical performance and longevity.