1.23 Ct. Spinel from Ceylon (Sri Lanka)

This loose natural spinel offered by The Natural Gemstone Company is a transparent, oval shape greyish blue specimen weighing 1.23 carats, with precise dimensions of 8.13 x 6.10 x 3.51 mm. The cutting style is a mixed brilliant cut, executed to present strong light return across an elongated oval outline. Clarity has been evaluated at eye level as eye clean, with no inclusions apparent to the unaided eye, and polish is graded excellent, producing sharp facet junctions and crisp facet mirror planes. Color intensity has been assessed as very light, yielding a refined, understated greyish blue that reads cooler in natural daylight and tends to retain a muted sophistication under artificial illumination. Origin is documented as Ceylon, Sri Lanka, and the stone is offered without enhancement, confirming that no heat treatment or diffusion has been applied to alter color or clarity.

The gem cutter chose a mixed brilliant faceting scheme to balance spread and brilliance for the oval outline. The crown exhibits a conventional brilliant facet arrangement, with a well proportioned table that allows for controlled crown height and effective dispersion without excessive windowing. The pavilion has been modified to complement the crown, producing a series of kite and star facets that interact to generate consistent scintillation. The proportions produce a depth percentage of approximately 49 percent when assessed against the average diameter, which yields a shallow to medium profile and contributes to perceptible visual spread for its carat weight when set in jewelry. Given spinel is singly refractive and does not display pleochroism, the mixed brilliant geometry is ideally suited to preserve uniform color distribution across the table and along the girdle plane, while the excellent polish minimizes facet haze and maximizes measured light return.

Color grading and optical behavior of this greyish blue spinel are important selling points for discerning buyers. The very light color intensity places the tone in a category that emphasizes delicate hue rather than saturation, which makes the stone highly versatile for design applications that require subtlety. Under daylight the stone exhibits a soft blue leaning toward steel grey, while under warm incandescent light the grey component remains evident, reducing the tendency to appear overtly purple or green. Because the material is natural Ceylon spinel, collectors will recognize the classic cool tonal range that provenance typically imparts, often described in trade terms as elegant and refined. The lack of enhancement enhances long term stability and value, since the color and clarity are intrinsic to the crystal lattice rather than the result of post cut treatments.

From a setting and design perspective this 1.23 carat oval greyish blue spinel transitions smoothly between casual and formal contexts. Its moderate spread and shallow to medium profile allow it to sit comfortably in low gallery bezels for everyday wear, while the mixed brilliant cut produces the faceted flash necessary for evening wear and formal pieces. For maximum presence, a four or six prong open head will emphasize table surface and brilliance, whereas a bezel or partial halo will protect the girdle and emphasize the greyish blue tone for everyday practicality. Metal selection will influence perceived color, white metals such as platinum or white gold will accentuate the cool blue grey, while yellow or rose gold will introduce contrast that warms adjacent skin tones without altering the intrinsic color of the stone. For bespoke commissions and technical mounting advice please contact The Natural Gemstone Company, our team can provide exacting stone orientation drawings, recommended setting depth and seat dimensions, and high resolution images to assist your bench and ensure optimal presentation in both casual and formal jewelry designs.