6.19 Ct. Spinel from Ceylon (Sri Lanka)

This 6.19 carat cushion shape purple spinel from Ceylon offered by The Natural Gemstone Company is a specimen that balances weight, face up area, and optical performance with technical precision. The stone measures 11.15 by 9.62 by 6.80 millimeters, producing a depth that works in concert with its mixed brilliant faceting to deliver strong light return and saturated color. When calculating proportion metrics, the depth equates to approximately 65.5 percent relative to the average of the length and width, a proportion that sits within the optimal range for cushion cuts intended for mounted jewelry. The mixed brilliant configuration pairs a brilliant style crown with a modified pavilion layout, a deliberate choice to maximize scintillation while preserving color saturation in the pavilion, and the excellent polish preserves crisp facet junctions and mirror like facet planes that enhance contrast and sparkle, attributes that are especially relevant to experienced buyers and designers evaluating performance under different lighting environments.

From a clarity and material science perspective, this spinel is transparent and eye clean at normal viewing distance, meaning no inclusions detract from the face up presentation when inspected at eye level. Spinel has a stable crystal structure and a hardness of approximately eight on the Mohs scale, providing notable resistance to abrasion and suitable durability for everyday wear in rings and other high contact jewelry. This particular stone has no enhancements, it is natural and untreated, and originates from Sri Lanka, historically renowned for producing spinel with fine hue and strong saturation. The combination of an intense purple color intensity and the lack of treatment means that its color characteristics are intrinsic to the crystal chemistry and zoning is minimal, producing even face up distribution and predictable behavior when transitioned between daylight and artificial incandescent lighting.

The mixed brilliant faceting creates a dynamic interplay between large crown facets and a tiered pavilion, producing a balance of broad flashes and smaller scintillation events. For designers this means the gem will read vivid in halo settings, where the larger crown facets provide strong contrast against accent diamonds, and it will also perform well in solitaire mounts, where angular pavilion facets interact with open back light to communicate depth. The cushion outline with slightly rounded corners benefits from prong placement that follows the corner geometry, because secure corner support reduces stress on the girdle while allowing the crown facets to catch light. The excellent polish enhances edge definition at facet junctions, ensuring that pavillion reflection return is coherent, and buyers who evaluate optical symmetry will appreciate the consistent facet alignment that reduces light leakage common in poorly executed cuts.

When considering custom mounting options, this spinel is versatile across a broad spectrum of settings and metal choices. For ring applications, a four prong corner set preserves the cushion silhouette and exposes the pavilion for maximum brilliance, while a six prong configuration adds mechanical security and can be used to create a visual motif. Rounded prongs are recommended for the rounded corners of this cushion shape, because they cradle the edges without creating localized stress that could chip sharper corners. A thin bezel can be used to create a modern, protected profile, but it should be executed with a low wall to avoid visually darkening the outer edge and diminishing the intense face up purple. Halo designs using small brilliant cut accents will amplify perceived size and color saturation, while three stone or cathedral mounts can emphasize the center stone height and crown geometry for dramatic elevation. Pendant and earring executions benefit from an open back or cup style mount that admits back lighting to intensify the hue, and for bead or cluster settings the mixed brilliant cutting will integrate well with rounded melee accent stones.

Technical considerations for fabrication, setting and long term wear are important to realize the full potential of this spinel. Given the measured depth and overall proportions, standard setting beds and commercially available head sizes will accommodate this gem with minimal recutting, preserving most of the original weight. If a customer prefers a lower profile, a jeweler can reduce the pavilion slightly, however recutting will reduce carat weight and may alter the delicate balance of facet angles that produce the current intensity of color, therefore any re faceting should be undertaken only by an experienced lapidary who can preserve crown to pavilion angle relationships. For metal selection, platinum and 18 karat yellow or rose gold all complement the intense purple saturation, and contrasting metal tones can be used to shift perceived warmth or coolness of the face up color in a controlled way. The Natural Gemstone Company provides this stone with documentation of origin and treatment status, and we recommend standard care procedures for spinel, including avoidance of ultrasonic cleaning if there is any doubt about setting integrity, and periodic checks of prong tension to maintain security. For designers and collectors seeking a premium, versatile center stone, this 6.19 carat Sri Lankan cushion spinel represents a rare combination of proportionally efficient dimensions, meticulous mixed brilliant cutting and natural, intense color, and it is well suited to bespoke engagements where technical excellence in cut and mounting are paramount.