1.63 Ct. Purplish Pink Spinel from Tanzania

This purplish pink spinel is a transparent, oval shaped gem weighing 1.63 carats, with dimensions of 7.80 by 5.89 by 4.81 millimeters, cut in a mixed brilliant style, and graded very slightly included when viewed at eye level. The color presents with intense saturation and an even distribution across the table and pavilion. The polish is excellent, producing crisp facet junctions and clean facet planes, and no enhancements have been applied to alter color or clarity. The stone is of Tanzanian origin, and its proportions, cut and finish have been executed to deliver balanced light performance and reliable durability for use in fine jewelry.

Optically this spinel exhibits the characteristic single refractive nature of its species, which results in consistent color and uniform light return across the crown and pavilion. Spinel typically has a refractive index in the range of approximately 1.718 to 1.736, and this specimen’s cut optimizes the refractive behavior for bright, well defined reflections and controlled leakage. The dispersion of spinel is modest, approximately 0.018, which yields subtle spectral flash without the pronounced fire seen in higher dispersion gems. The mixed brilliant cut enhances scintillation by introducing a crown pattern that interacts with viewing angles to generate lively flashes, while the pavilion facets maintain depth and contrast that emphasize the intense purplish pink hue. The excellent polish contributes to a satiny to vitreous surface luster that supports crisp facet reflections and a pleasing overall finish.

When compared to other gemstones commonly considered in the same category of colored gems, this spinel presents a distinctive combination of reflective qualities. Against corundum varieties such as ruby and sapphire, spinel is singly refractive and displays more uniform color and reflection with no birefringent double image. Corundum typically has a slightly higher refractive index, which can produce marginally stronger brilliance in well cut stones, but corundum can also exhibit pleochroism and color zoning that affect perceived reflection and color in different orientations. Compared to garnet species, which can show a higher range of refractive indices depending on the variety and therefore sometimes stronger internal brilliance, spinel tends to deliver cleaner, more controlled facet reflections and a more consistent face up appearance because of its isotropic optical behavior. Against tourmaline, which often has a lower refractive index and noticeable pleochroism, spinel will generally appear more lively in terms of even light return and steadier color, especially in stones with intense saturation like this purplish pink example. Within the broader spinel family this gem sits among the better performing examples for reflection, as its combination of intense color, very slightly included clarity at eye level, and excellent polish create bright facet contrast and lively scintillation without the visual interruptions that larger inclusions can cause.

From a practical perspective this stone’s hardness and toughness make it well suited to a variety of mounting styles, with the mixed brilliant cut and oval shape lending themselves to both solitaire and halo settings where the facet reflections can be showcased. The stable isotropic optics mean that the gem will maintain its face up color and reflective behavior regardless of mounting orientation, and the absence of enhancement ensures long term color stability under normal wear conditions. For care we recommend routine gentle cleaning with warm water, mild detergent and a soft brush, avoiding harsh chemicals and prolonged exposure to extreme heat. At The Natural Gemstone Company we document origin, enhancement status, and key measurements, and this Tanzanian purplish pink spinel has been evaluated to confirm the attributes described here. The result is a precisely described, well finished gem that combines intense natural color, reliable reflective performance, and the practical characteristics desired for fine jewelry.