5.62 Ct. Spinel from Ceylon (Sri Lanka)

In the hush between dusk and the first star, a rare violet light gathers, deep and secret, as if the evening itself had been folded into a gemstone. This 5.62 carat cushion purple spinel from Ceylon carries that twilight within its heart, a quiet and dignified color that speaks of distant mountains and monsoon skies. At The Natural Gemstone Company we have long revered spinels for their sincere glow and noble lineage, but few of the stones we encounter bring together such scale and hue. Larger purple spinels with transparent clarity and natural, untreated color are uncommon, and to hold one cut with such care is to hold something both ancient and freshly born. Imagine a single moment made visible, a memory set in light, a promise that will not fade.

Measured at 11.16 by 8.32 by 6.90 millimeters, this cushion shape spinel is substantial enough to be the centerpiece of an heirloom ring, a pendant that draws the eye, or a bespoke design that will be whispered about for generations. The mixed brilliant cut gives the stone a modern, faceted life, slicing and returning light with a rhythm that feels like breath, while the excellent polish ensures each plane is a mirror to the soul. Clarity is described as very very slightly included when evaluated at eye level, a testament to its transparency and purity, and the medium color intensity balances depth with luminosity, so the purple reads as regal without losing its playful heart. There has been no enhancement to alter its nature, the color is entirely natural, and its provenance from Ceylon, Sri Lanka, links the gem to an island long celebrated for producing gems that carry a story as compelling as their beauty.

In sunlight the spinel catches and sings, revealing layers of violet that lean toward amethyst and lavender, sometimes soft, sometimes decidedly dusky, depending on the light and the mood. The cushion outline lends the gem a vintage, romantic silhouette, and the mixed brilliant facet pattern scatters points of light across its surface so they seem to dance as the stone moves. In candlelight the color deepens, becoming a velvety jewel tone that suggests secret gardens and letters written in ink long dried. On the hand it sits with authority yet with intimacy, large enough to be noticed, gentle enough to invite a second glance. Compared with more common spinels, which tend to be smaller or have more saturated or less nuanced purple tones, this example is notable for its balance. Large purple spinels in the five carat range are scarce, and unheated, transparent stones of this size are rarer still, making this gem an exceptional choice for someone who seeks a center stone that feels both rarefied and wearable.

To choose this cushion purple spinel is to choose a love that wants to be celebrated in detail, to set an important life moment to a stone that answers in kind. Let it be the gem that declares an engagement with quiet certainty, or the pendant that marks a milestone and is worn close to the heart. At The Natural Gemstone Company we can help you imagine settings that honor the stone, whether a delicate halo that frames its gentle glow, a bezel that cradles its cushion silhouette, or a modern minimalist band that allows its color and size to speak plainly. We will also offer guidance on care, suggesting gentle cleaning in warm, soapy water and soft cloth drying, attentive storage away from harder gems, and occasional professional inspection to keep its polish and setting in perfect harmony. Owning a stone like this is to accept a companion that will age beautifully, a jewel that will gather memories and reflect them back as shimmering facets, a rare and true purple, a story waiting to be told.