0.88 Ct. Brownish Red Tourmaline from Mozambique

This specimen is a transparent oval brownish red tourmaline, weighing 0.88 carat, with dimensions of 6.97 by 4.96 by 3.92 millimeters. The gem is fashioned in an oval outline, a classic shape that emphasizes length to width balance and optimizes face up presentation. The cut follows a mixed brilliant design, combining a faceting scheme that is intended to maximize return of light across a wide range of viewing angles. Clarity is graded as slightly included when evaluated at eye level, and these inclusions are consistent with natural formation and do not materially detract from the stone s overall transparency. Color is described as intense, producing a strong presence in hand and in setting, and the surface finish is an excellent polish, providing crisp facet junctions and minimal surface disturbance. No treatments or enhancements have been applied, and the origin is Mozambique, a source known for producing tourmalines with lively color and good crystalline quality. The Natural Gemstone Company presents this example with full disclosure of its natural state, precise measurements, and observed characteristics.

The mixed brilliant cut employed on this oval tourmaline has been executed to take full advantage of tourmaline s inherent optical properties. In a mixed brilliant, the crown typically carries a pattern of brilliant style facets, including a well proportioned table and star and bezel facets, while the pavilion often incorporates a combination of stepped facets and modified brilliant facets designed to balance light return and color retention. This arrangement enhances overall brilliance, by allowing incident light to fragment and recombine within numerous small facets on the crown, while the pavilion facets act to redirect light back toward the viewer with controlled angles that favor internal reflection rather than leakage. The oval outline introduces subtle variability in facet orientation across the surface, which encourages scintillation as the gem or the viewer moves, and the symmetrical alignment of pavilion facets ensures that those flashes of light remain cohesive and pleasing. The mixed brilliant approach is particularly effective for tourmaline, because the gem s refractive properties favor multiple internal reflections that, when guided by precise facet angles and proportions, support a lively play of light without sacrificing the depth of color.

The interaction between the cut and the gem s color is particularly important for a brownish red tourmaline of intense saturation. The mixed brilliant schema preserves color by minimizing large open windows that allow light to pass straight through without interacting with the body color, and by creating numerous reflective planes that increase the perceived color saturation face up. For tourmaline, which can display pleochroic tendencies depending on orientation, a well executed oval mixed brilliant can be oriented to present the most desirable face up hue, providing a consistent visual experience in typical wearing positions. Slight inclusions, as present in this stone, can act as internal markers that modestly affect light paths, but because the material is transparent and the polish is excellent, these inclusions remain unobtrusive and do not generate noticeable haze or diffusion of light. Instead, they often contribute to a natural character without compromising brightness, while the finely polished facet surfaces ensure that light is cleanly reflected, producing crisp sparkle and lively contrast between bright facets and darker facet planes.

For practical use and setting considerations, the 6.97 by 4.96 by 3.92 millimeter oval offers versatility for a variety of jewelry designs, including single stone rings, pendants, and delicate earrings, where the balanced proportions and mixed brilliant faceting will maintain an attractive visual presence. The stone s lack of enhancement confirms that it is natural, and its Mozambican origin provides additional context for expected color behavior and crystal habit. As with all faceted gemstones, appropriate setting design will support the cut s light performance, for example by avoiding overly deep or opaque mounting materials that might obstruct light entry, and by allowing sufficient exposure for light to enter the crown and exit through the table and crown facets. Routine care should be consistent with standard practices for tourmaline, focusing on gentle cleaning with warm water and mild detergent, and avoiding exposure to harsh chemicals or extreme thermal shock. The Natural Gemstone Company stands by the accuracy of these specifications and descriptions, and is available to provide further measurements, detailed photographs, or guidance for integration of this 0.88 carat oval brownish red tourmaline into your commissioned piece or existing collection.