3.11 Ct. Spinel from Burma (Myanmar)

This item is a transparent cushion shaped purple spinel weighing 3.11 carats, with precise dimensions of 8.15 by 7.90 by 5.77 mm, cut in a mixed brilliant style, and presented with an excellent polish. The gem exhibits an intense color intensity and a clarity grade described as very very slightly included, evaluated at eye level, which translates to minimal visible inclusions under normal inspection. The stone has been heat treated, a standard and stable enhancement used to optimize hue and saturation, and its documented origin is Burma, Myanmar. The Natural Gemstone Company presents this example as a representation of high quality spinel from a historically respected source, with the combination of weight, proportions, and finish intended to maximize both presence and practical wearability in finished jewelry pieces.

From an optical perspective, spinel offers a distinctive balance of brilliance and color that differs in measurable ways from more commonly encountered gemstones. Spinel has a refractive index of approximately 1.718, which is modestly lower than diamond and slightly lower than corundum, and a low to moderate dispersion. As a result, this purple spinel does not display the fire characteristic of diamond, where a higher refractive index and higher dispersion produce pronounced spectral flashes. Compared with corundum variants such as sapphire, which have a slightly higher refractive index, spinel often appears more immediately vibrant because it is isotropic and singly refractive. That isotropic optical nature eliminates double refraction, so color and light return are even across the stone, without the directional color shifts that can occur in pleochroic gems. Relative to quartz based gems, such as amethyst, spinel’s higher refractive index and greater optical density yield a more lively light return and a richer perceived depth of color, making this particular specimen stand out within the palette of purple gemstones.

The mixed brilliant cut and excellent polish of this spinel materially influence its perceived brilliance and scintillation. Mixed brilliant cutting typically combines a brilliant facet arrangement on the crown with a more step or modified configuration on the pavilion, which in this case has been executed to balance strong face up color with controlled light return. The facet geometry concentrates and redirects light in a manner that enhances both overall brightness and small scale flashes of scintillation, while the excellent polish ensures minimal light leakage and high surface reflectivity. The reported clarity of very very slightly included at eye level indicates that inclusions are minimal and do not materially impede light transmission, so the gem presents clean, consistent windows of color and sparkle when set. The heat treatment reported for this spinel is a stable, widely accepted enhancement that improves color uniformity and saturation without compromising the structural integrity of the crystal, and it should be considered disclosed in any appraisal or certification.

Provenance from Burma, Myanmar situates this spinel within a region known for producing richly saturated and well crystallized spinel specimens, and the combination of origin, cut, and finish contributes to the overall appeal of the gem. In practical terms, spinel’s hardness and toughness make it suitable for daily wear settings, while the gem’s optical properties favor designs that allow for direct light entry to showcase the mixed brilliant facet pattern. For those comparing gemstones based on visual performance, this 3.11 carat purple spinel will display a deep and consistent purple face up color, lively light return relative to many quartz and lower refractive index gems, and a smooth, even appearance that differs from the pleochroic or strongly birefringent stones. The Natural Gemstone Company provides this description to assist in assessment and selection, and documentation or independent laboratory grading is available upon request to verify the stated attributes and the heat treatment disclosure.