5.38 Ct. Spinel from Ceylon (Sri Lanka)

This transparent 5.38 carat cushion shape red spinel, measuring 12.23 by 10.72 by 5.41 millimeters, exemplifies precise lapidary control and balanced proportions, attributes central to The Natural Gemstone Company. The cutter employed a mixed brilliant faceting schema, combining a modified brilliant crown with a pavilion that retains a series of elongated kite and triangular facets to maximize light return while preserving color saturation. The table facet is well centered, and the facet junctions exhibit consistent symmetry, enabling even scintillation and broad flashes from the table and crown facets. The stone presents a measured depth that supports a controlled escape of light, minimizing windowing while maintaining a lively play of light across the crown. The excellent polish on every facet plane produces sharp facet reflections and minimizes diffusion, which is especially important in a saturated red spinel where surface luster directly affects perceived depth of color. For buyers who assess cutting geometry, this example demonstrates an intentional balance between optical performance and weight retention, yielding a gem that reads larger than its carat weight might suggest when set in jewelry.

Color and clarity characteristics are central to the gemological appeal of this spinel, and here the material is notable for a vivid color intensity and clean visual appearance. The hue reads as a classic pure red with strong saturation and a medium to moderately deep tone, providing a rich visual presence that remains lively under a range of lighting conditions. The clarity is graded as very very slightly included when evaluated at eye level, meaning that inclusions are minimal and generally internal, often confined to inconspicuous crystal or needle type inclusions that do not disrupt transparency or light performance. Because spinel lacks cleavage and shows compact crystal habit, these minor inclusions do not compromise durability or polishability, and the cutter was able to orient facet junctions to mitigate their visual impact. The overall transparency and vivid chroma allow the pavilion facets to return saturated red light rather than dark tones, contributing to the gemstone s strong color saturation while preserving brilliance.

Provenance and treatment details are provided for full disclosure and to inform long term care decisions. This specimen originates from Ceylon Sri Lanka, a source known for spinel that forms in metamorphic host rocks with trace chromium and iron chemistry, chromium acting as the primary chromophore responsible for the red hue in high quality stones. The gem has undergone a controlled heat treatment, an enhancement commonly applied to spinel to stabilize and enhance color uniformity and to reduce the visibility of localized pleochroic zones. This treatment is stable and does not involve fracture filling or surface coatings, the result being improvement in color saturation without introducing instability. The cutting workflow at The Natural Gemstone Company included iterative preform stages with progressive grinding and fine lap polishing using diamond abrasives calibrated to the stone s hardness, ensuring facet integrity and an excellent final polish that complements the heated color enhancement and natural crystalline properties.

Durability considerations make this spinel an exceptional candidate for daily wear in rings and other frequently worn jewelry styles. Spinel has a Mohs hardness of eight and shows excellent toughness due to the absence of cleavage, properties that confer strong resistance to abrasion and impact relative to softer colored gemstones. The gem s balanced depth and mixed brilliant faceting protect against excessive surface exposure of pavilion facets when set, and recommended mounting approaches include protective bezel settings for maximum edge protection or secure multi prong settings for a balance of protection and light exposure. Routine maintenance is straightforward, warm soapy water with a soft brush safely removes everyday residues, and professional ultrasonic cleaning is generally acceptable for clean, intact spinel, though it is advisable to inspect settings before subjecting jewelry to mechanical cleaning. For collectors and designers seeking a robust, intensely colored red that performs reliably in daily wear, this 5.38 carat cushion red spinel represents a technically sophisticated choice, and The Natural Gemstone Company is pleased to offer this well documented, precisely cut example to discerning buyers who value both gemological integrity and wearable durability.