1.34 Ct. Purple Spinel from Madagascar

One beautiful transparent 1.34 carat cushion shape purple spinel from Madagascar is offered by The Natural Gemstone Company, a gem that combines classic form with exceptional material quality. The stone measures 6.27 by 5.66 by 4.20 millimeters, a dimension set that provides an ideal balance between face up presence and depth for optimal light performance. The cutting style is faceted with a mixed brilliant cut, finished with an excellent polish and with no enhancement, preserving the natural state and provenance of the gem. Clarity has been evaluated at eye level as included, which for spinel typically means minor internal growth features that do not materially diminish transparency or brilliance when viewed in hand, and color intensity is classified as intense, producing a saturated and vivid purple that presents strongly under both daylight and artificial lighting conditions. For buyers who value traceable origins and natural material integrity, Madagascar is a recognized source of high quality spinel and this piece is presented with full disclosure of its origin and condition.

The mixed brilliant cut in a cushion outline is central to how this spinel interacts with light, and deliberate choices in facet design have been made to enhance its inherent optical properties. Spinel is an isometric gem with a refractive index in the neighborhood of 1.71, and a cutting approach that combines a faceted crown with a faceted pavilion capitalizes on multiple internal reflections to maximize return of light to the viewer. The mixed brilliant format provides a combination of larger window facets on the crown that concentrate color and smaller pavilion facets that break light into scintillating flashes, so the eye sees both strong color saturation and lively sparkle. The cushion outline softens the stone edges while allowing for broader table facets, which increases the apparent size face up and deepens the perceived color without sacrificing brightness, and the excellent polish ensures that light crossing the facet junctions is transmitted with minimal diffusion, enhancing both brilliance and contrast. Even with included clarity, the transparency of this spinel remains excellent, and careful facet alignment serves to minimize the visual impact of internal features, so the stone presents as a vivid, lively gem that displays color zoning in a pleasing and natural way rather than distracting obstruction.

For the educated buyer seeking investment quality and wearable durability, this Madagascar purple spinel offers a compelling combination of attributes that make it valuable on both aesthetic and technical grounds. Spinel scores around 8 on the Mohs hardness scale, which gives it robust resistance to scratching for everyday wear in rings or pendants, and the excellent polish combined with a conservative pavilion depth makes this cushion cut an excellent candidate for secure settings that protect the girdle while allowing generous light entry. The intense natural color and the fact that there are no enhancements increase its rarity compared to treated stones, and provenance from Madagascar further supports market desirability, as collectors and designers both recognize the island as a source of fine spinel material. From a gemological perspective the included clarity grade is transparently disclosed, and experienced gem buyers will appreciate that inclusions are natural fingerprints that confirm origin and authenticity. At The Natural Gemstone Company we emphasize accurate grading, ethical sourcing, and practical guidance, and we recommend settings that emphasize the stone face up, such as low halo bezels with open galleries or four claw settings with elevated prongs to allow light to circulate through the pavilion. This 1.34 carat cushion purple spinel represents a rare opportunity to acquire a naturally intense, well cut, and well polished gem with clear documentation, suitable for a discerning collector or a fine custom jewelry commission.