1.74 Ct. Pinkish Purple Spinel from Ceylon (Sri Lanka)

This specimen is a transparent 1.74 carat round pinkish purple spinel, with precise dimensions of 7.13 x 7.16 x 4.98 mm, executed in a faceted mixed brilliant cut, clarity graded as very slightly included evaluated at eye level, color described as medium intensity, polish assessed as excellent, enhancement none, origin Ceylon Sri Lanka. The pavilion and crown meet at a well formed girdle that maintains consistent thickness, and the table is proportioned to the overall diameter to balance brilliance and color saturation. The hue sits squarely in the pinkish purple range, with a mid tone that reads neither pale nor deeply saturated, offering a versatile presence in daylight and incandescent light. The transparency is notable for spinel at this weight and dimension, allowing controlled light transmission without the diffusion that would mute sparkle, and the lack of enhancement confirms natural color chemistry and optical character directly from the Sri Lankan crystal.

The mixed brilliant cut combines a standard brilliant crown with a modified pavilion facet scheme designed to enhance both scintillation and color depth, and the cutting emphasis is on maximizing return from the crown facets while allowing the pavilion facets to contribute directed flashes. Crown facets are crisp with symmetrical facet junctions and tight meeting points, the crown angle and pavilion angles have been controlled to produce a lively combination of brilliance and fire, and facet geometry yields a pattern of small, evenly distributed scintillation that reads dynamic at slight movement. The pavilion incorporates both triangular and kite facets in a typical mixed layout, supporting a round outline that is well centered, and the table comprises an appropriate percentage of the girdle diameter to preserve face up size while preventing washout of the medium intensity color. Excellent polish contributes to mirror like facet surfaces, enhancing optical contrast between bright and dark areas, and the overall symmetry supports stable light performance from multiple viewing angles.

Clarity for this spinel is very slightly included evaluated at eye level, which in practical terms means inclusions are minor, primarily internal crystals or healed fractures that do not materially interrupt the facet pattern or create significant extinction under normal viewing. These inclusions are consistent with natural spinel formation, and their positions near facet junctions or toward the pavilion contribute minimally to light leakage, preserving strong return and sparkle. The medium color intensity gives the pinkish purple a balanced saturation that is ideal for a range of jewelry scales, it maintains chroma under both artificial and natural lighting, and it avoids overtones that would push the stone into a single color dominance. Spinel exhibits only weak pleochroism, so this gem presents consistent hue from multiple orientations, and the absence of any enhancement confirms that the color is inherent and stable. Origin Ceylon Sri Lanka is relevant because Sri Lankan spinels are known for clean crystals and lively tones, and this example displays those regional characteristics.

For versatility the gem fits equally well in casual daywear and formal evening pieces, its size and round outline offering compatibility with solitaire settings, halo mounts, three stone designs, and cluster arrangements. The dimensions and mixed brilliant cut deliver a good face up presence in both low profile bezels and elevated prong settings, and the excellent polish plus very slightly included clarity ensure attractive sparkle in a ring, pendant, or pair of cufflinks. With a Mohs hardness of eight and good natural toughness typical of gem spinel, the stone is suitable for regular wear with standard care, and setting choices such as four or six prong mounts will protect the girdle while maximizing light entry. For a formal presentation pair this spinel with white diamonds to accentuate brilliance, or combine it with warm color accents in yellow gold to enhance the pinkish purple warmth. The Natural Gemstone Company stands behind the provenance and assessment of this piece, offering full disclosure on origin and treatment status, and we can provide mounting recommendations and bespoke design guidance to showcase the technical strengths of this 1.74 carat Ceylon spinel.