1.64 Ct. Spinel from Tanzania

This 1.64 carat oval purplish blue spinel from Tanzania exemplifies measured craftsmanship and natural color integrity, supplied by The Natural Gemstone Company. The stone measures 7.28 by 5.90 by 5.41 millimeters, offering a pleasing oval outline with a length to width ratio of approximately 1.23, a proportion that yields a balanced face up silhouette that reads slightly elongated without appearing narrow. The body color has been graded as medium intense with a purplish blue hue, and the material is transparent with a clarity grade of slightly included as evaluated at eye level. The faceting is a mixed brilliant cut, and the gem exhibits an excellent polish, with no enhancements reported, assuring collectors and jewelers that what they observe is a natural color and surface finish that will remain stable through normal use.

The mixed brilliant faceting strategy applied to this oval spinel is instrumental to its optical performance. The cutter has combined a brilliant style crown with a pavilion faceting scheme that favors light trapping and return, producing lively scintillation and crisp facet contrast. The crown facets create a dynamic interplay of light across the table and star facets, while the pavilion facets are calibrated to redirect light back through the crown, minimizing windowing and preserving apparent color saturation. The slightly deep girdle height and overall depth, as indicated by the 5.41 millimeter profile, contribute to the stone s face up richness, as the additional pavilion depth increases internal light path length, enhancing color intensity without sacrificing sparkle due to the precise angles and excellent polish. The result is a gem that balances dispersion and return with color retention, benefiting from symmetry and facet junction precision that are noticeable when the piece is viewed under directional lighting.

The purplish blue hue of this spinel is a compelling attribute that will command attention in any jewelry setting, because the color sits in a versatile midpoint between true blue and violet, creating an engaging cool tone that harmonizes with a wide range of metals and accent stones. As an isotropic gemstone with a single refractive index near 1.718, spinel displays a uniform color saturation across changes in orientation, unlike pleochroic species, and this stability means the face up presentation remains consistent whether set in a ring or a pendant. In practical terms, the medium intense saturation allows the stone to read as vivid under natural daylight, while retaining a tasteful restraint under warmer incandescent light, offering designers the confidence that the stone will stand out without overwhelming a composition. For settings, open prong mounting maximizes light entry and allows the mixed brilliant cut to scintillate freely, while a delicate diamond halo can amplify perceived size and introduce lively white contrast. For a contemporary effect, a high polish bezel in white gold or platinum will emphasize the cool blue, whereas rose gold or yellow gold settings will warm the surrounding palette and draw more attention to the purple notes, allowing jewelers to choose a metal to fine tune the visual impact.

From a gemological and practical standpoint the spinel offers attributes that support everyday wear and longevity, making it suitable as a center stone in a ring or an important element in a pendant. The material s hardness at Mohs 8 provides robust resistance to abrasion, while a specific gravity around 3.6 and the lack of birefringence contribute to a stable and lively visual performance. The slightly included clarity grade indicates the presence of minor internal features that are visible at eye level, however these inclusions do not materially compromise the gem s transparency or its ability to return light, and they serve as natural identifiers that confirm the stone s authenticity and natural origin. The absence of any enhancement is a significant trade consideration, because untreated spinel color is enduring and will not shift with routine exposure to heat or light. At The Natural Gemstone Company we assess polish, facet symmetry, and overall optical performance as integral to value, and this 1.64 carat Tanzanian spinel demonstrates the thoughtful cutting and natural color that experienced buyers prioritize when commissioning or selecting a centerpiece gem for a high quality setting.