1.34 Ct. Pinkish Purple Spinel from Burma (Myanmar)

This 1.34 carat cushion-shaped spinel presents a transparent, pinkish purple tone with dimensions of 6.61 x 5.79 x 4.22 mm. The gem is faceted with a mixed brilliant cutting style, combining step-like pavilion elements and brilliant crown facets to balance broad color presentation with lively scintillation. Clarity is graded slightly included at eye level, and the surface finish is described as excellent polish. The stone is natural, with no enhancement, and is documented as originating from Burma, Myanmar. These objective attributes are provided by The Natural Gemstone Company to allow precise evaluation for design and setting considerations.

The exceptional sparkle of this spinel derives from its intrinsic crystal structure and the deliberate interaction between that structure and the cutter’s design. Spinel crystallizes in the cubic system, producing an isotropic material that transmits light uniformly in all directions without pleochroism. Its relatively high refractive index, approximately 1.71 to 1.72, together with modest dispersion, creates strong internal reflection and well-defined light return when facets are proportioned correctly. In this cushion mixed brilliant, the pavilion’s brilliant facet arrangement acts to trap and redirect light back through the crown, while the crown’s mixed facets break that return into flashes and scintillation. The result is a balance of broad, even light flashes that reveal the stone’s soft pinkish purple body color and concentrated lively sparkle at facet junctions. Excellent polish minimizes light leakage at facet edges and preserves crisp facet boundaries, enhancing contrast and increasing perceived brightness. Slight inclusions are present but do not substantially interrupt light paths in this example, allowing transparency to remain the dominant optical characteristic. Taken together, the cubic crystal symmetry of spinel, the calculated proportions of the mixed brilliant cut, and the superior polish produce a visual performance that emphasizes both depth of color and a dynamic, multi-faceted sparkle, attributes consistently represented in the inventory of The Natural Gemstone Company.