1.15 Ct. Orangish Red Spinel from Burma (Myanmar)

This gem is a transparent 1.15 carat emerald cut spinel with exact dimensions of 7.36 x 5.11 x 3.18 mm, presented by The Natural Gemstone Company. The cutting style is faceted, executed in a classic emerald or step cut, featuring broad rectangular facets on both the crown and pavilion and clipped or truncated corners to enhance durability and symmetry. The pavilion depth relative to the mean girdle diameter yields a calculated overall depth of approximately 51 percent, a proportion that balances internal brilliance with the broad color window characteristic of step cuts. The cutter has preserved a substantial table plane to emphasize color transmission and to create wide mirror like flashes along the long axis, while the bezel and step facets are oriented to produce even light return rather than the scintillation pattern expected from brilliant cuts. The polish on all facet faces is graded excellent, and facet junctions are crisp, producing clean facet junction reflections and a high degree of optical clarity for viewing at the table and through the pavilion.

Color is the defining quality of this stone, and it commands attention through an intense orangish red hue that sits in a narrow color space between pure red and warm orange. The hue exhibits a strong saturation and a medium deep tone that allows both the orange warm component and the red chroma to register strongly under daylight and incandescent lighting. Unlike many spinels where a pure red or pure pink dominates, this specimen displays a balanced color blend that is uncommon at this size, resulting in a visual impact that reads as warm red with distinct orange overtone when viewed at face up orientation. Color distribution is uniform across the table and extends to the truncated corners without zoning, which is a critical factor for step cut stones because the geometry magnifies any local color inhomogeneities. The gem is natural and untreated, with no heat treatment or other enhancements, a provenance detail that substantially increases desirability among collectors and connoisseurs seeking naturally occurring color saturation.

Clarity has been evaluated at eye level as slightly included, a classification that reflects the presence of natural internal features which are observable without magnification in certain orientations, yet do not materially detract from transparency or the depth of color. These internal features are typical of spinel formation, and in a step cut they tend to be displayed as faint inclusions aligned with the stacking of prism faces rather than as disruptive fractures. Because the emerald cut emphasizes broad planes of color rather than faceted scintillation, any inclusions are more easily located and assessed, which is advantageous for setting and commissioning jewelry. The workmanship here deliberately places inclusions away from the central table plane as much as the rough anatomy allowed, maximizing table transparency and the ability to appreciate the intense orangish red hue. Optical performance is characterized by broad, even flashes and a strong color window, the combination of which yields a stately, sophisticated look when mounted and worn.

The rarity of this gemstone is twofold, first in its size, and second in its unusual orangish red coloration from Burma. Spinels from Burma are historically prized for their saturated colors, but examples at and above one carat that retain a vivid orangish red saturation and remain unenhanced are relatively scarce in the market. At 1.15 carat this stone is substantial enough to serve as a principal center stone in ring and pendant applications, and its emerald cut geometry makes it particularly suitable for designs that emphasize linear elegance, such as east west settings, bezel frames with open galleries to allow light entry from the pavilion, or classic prong mounts that preserve table exposure. For those specifying custom work, consider a setting that aligns with the stone long axis to accentuate the step cut planes, and select metal color and side stone contrast carefully, because a warm orangish red usually pairs beautifully with both yellow gold for enhanced warmth, and rose gold for a tonal complement, while white metal can increase apparent color saturation through contrast. As with all items offered by The Natural Gemstone Company, this spinel is presented with documented origin of Burma and confirmed absence of enhancement, and we can provide additional high resolution imaging, viewing videos under multiple light sources, and detailed mounting recommendations upon request.