1.20 Ct. Almandine Garnet from Ceylon (Sri Lanka)

From the molten and metamorphic heart of Ceylon Sri Lanka this almandine garnet begins a story that spans deep time and careful human hands. Formed under heat and pressure, within rocks that have been folded and reshaped for millions of years, the crystal grew as a concentrated pulse of iron rich beauty. In the small mining districts where families have worked the land for generations stones like this one are coaxed from gravel beds and alluvial deposits, each pebble carrying the memory of its place of origin. When a stone of unusual transparency and color is found, it is set aside, studied, and celebrated, because not every rough gem reveals the vivid red that makes almandine special. The journey from rough to gemstone is a passage through cultural knowledge and geological fortune, and this particular oval garnet carries with it the quiet dignity of Ceylon provenance, a heritage we honor at The Natural Gemstone Company.

Once selected, the rough was entrusted to a cutter who understands how to translate natural color into wearable fire. The result is a transparent 1.20 carat oval almandine garnet with precise dimensions of 7.13 x 5.24 x 3.30 mm, rendered in a mixed brilliant cut to balance scintillation and color depth. Under close inspection at eye level this stone shows a clarity grade of very very slightly included, a mark of exceptional transparency for almandine, and the polish was finished to an excellent lustre so that each facet catches light without distraction. Its vivid color intensity is immediate and commanding, a saturated red that retains warmth and life in both natural and indoor light. There has been no enhancement applied to this gem, so what you see is the honest color and character that nature provided in Ceylon Sri Lanka, carefully conserved by the lapidary art.

The mixed brilliant cut was chosen deliberately to maximize both brilliance and the jewel like saturation unique to this specimen. The cutter layered crown and pavilion facets so that light entering the stone is refracted and returned with lively flashes, while the oval outline provides an elegant silhouette that sits gracefully in a setting. At a Mohs hardness of about 7 to 7.5 almandine offers everyday durability, ideal for a ring or pendant that will be worn and admired often. The very very slightly included clarity means the gem reads clean to the eye, with inclusions small enough to be embraced as part of its natural fingerprint rather than as distractions. In lifestyle photographs the gem is shown on a hand to offer scale and context, demonstrating how a 1.20 carat oval becomes a focal point without overwhelming the overall aesthetic. At The Natural Gemstone Company we document these details so that each client understands the interplay of size, cut, and color before a purchase is made.

Owning this garnet is more than acquiring a pretty stone, it is investing in a story made tangible. This is an investment in natural beauty, because the color and clarity are untouched by treatment, a living example of what fine almandine can be when it is discovered and cut with respect. It is also an investment in craftsmanship, because the transformation from pebble to polished gem required decades of accumulated skill at every step, from the miner who recognized the rough to the cutter who coaxed brilliance from within. Culturally garnets have been treasured across eras for their association with protection, passion, and steadfastness, and a Ceylon almandine carries echoes of island histories and artisanal traditions. As a piece intended to be passed down, set into a family heirloom, or simply worn as a daily celebration of refined taste, this garnet is a compact repository of provenance and human care.

At The Natural Gemstone Company we stand behind the authenticity and story of every gem we present, and this Ceylon almandine is accompanied by the information you need to feel confident in its origin and quality. We can discuss mounting options that highlight the gem, suggestions for settings that protect while showcasing its vivid red, and care recommendations to preserve its polish and color for years to come. For collectors and gift buyers alike this garnet represents a measured, aesthetic investment, a single stone that embodies natural history, skilled cutting, and enduring beauty. If you would like further details, bespoke setting proposals, or assistance in imagining how this 1.20 carat oval garnet would sit in a ring or pendant, we at The Natural Gemstone Company are ready to guide you through the next steps.