1.17 Ct. Blue Spinel from Ceylon (Sri Lanka)

One transparent 1.17 carat cushion shape blue spinel from Ceylon is presented by The Natural Gemstone Company, with dimensions 7.34 x 5.30 x 3.40 mm, faceted in a mixed brilliant style. The gem displays a dark color intensity, excellent polish, and a clarity grade described as very very slightly included at eye level. No enhancement has been applied, preserving the natural character and optical integrity of the material. The mixed brilliant cutting style is chosen to maximize light return from the pavilion while preserving table brightness, and the cushion outline offers a classic profile suitable for a wide range of settings. The combination of transparency, minimal inclusions, and precise polishing yields a clean, consistent blue tone and dependable surface luster when viewed in hand or under focused light.

Compared with other blue gemstones commonly considered in the same market segment, this spinel offers a distinct balance of luster and color stability. Spinel is isotropic with a refractive index around 1.72, which produces a strong vitreous luster and crisp facet reflections, though slightly less contrast and scintillation than corundum based sapphires that typically have a higher refractive index around 1.76 to 1.77. Unlike tanzanite which exhibits strong pleochroism and color shifting, this spinel delivers uniform color from most angles, which can be an advantage for designs that require consistent appearance under varied lighting. Compared with aquamarine and blue topaz that have lower refractive indices near 1.57 and 1.61 respectively, this spinel returns light with noticeably greater brilliance and depth, presenting brighter facet reflections and a denser appearance in the pavilion. The dark color intensity of this particular stone reduces overt sparkle while enhancing body color and creating a more saturated, refined blue. The excellent polish and the very very slightly included clarity grade mean that light passes through and reflects from internal facets cleanly, producing defined flashes rather than diffusion. In practical terms this Ceylon blue spinel is a durable, visually stable option for fine jewelry, offering an elegant compromise between the high brilliance of sapphire and the color consistency of less birefringent stones, and is supplied naturally, without treatments, by The Natural Gemstone Company.