0.44 Ct. Ruby from Mozambique

This specimen is a transparent red ruby weighing 0.44 carat, presented in a classic cushion shape with well balanced proportions, and measuring 5.60 by 3.41 by 2.18 millimeters. The gem is fashioned with a mixed brilliant cut that combines a faceted crown and step cut pavilion to optimize both brilliance and face up color. Clarity is graded as very slightly included when evaluated at eye level, which allows for a clean, visually appealing window into the stone while retaining natural character. Color is described as intense, with rich red saturation and appealing tone, and the surface exhibits an excellent polish that contributes to lively light return and a refined presentation. The ruby is untreated, with no enhancement, and is of Mozambique origin, attributes that inform both provenance and market perception. The Natural Ruby Company confirms the measured parameters and the untreated status of this ruby, providing a clear technical profile for trade and design considerations.

Weight is a defining attribute for this ruby, and the 0.44 carat mass plays a central role in its assessment of value and rarity. In the ruby market, price per carat typically scales with size, but the relationship is non linear and influenced heavily by color and clarity. A well colored ruby at this scale benefits from high price per carat because intense, saturated material is relatively uncommon in smaller sizes. Where larger rubies command premiums for single stones that retain intensity across several carats, a sub half carat ruby that exhibits intense color and minimal eye visible inclusions represents a disproportionate concentration of desirable attributes, and therefore a higher per carat valuation relative to many other small rubies. The 0.44 carat weight also offers practical advantages for setting and wear, allowing for versatile design options from delicate solitaire rings to accent stones in multi gem compositions, while preserving a strong color presence that often outperforms its nominal weight when viewed in typical jewelry settings.

Rarity is further accentuated by the combination of untreated status, Mozambique origin, and the measured dimensions of this piece. Mozambique has become a significant source of high quality ruby material in recent decades, but fully natural, unheated rubies displaying intense color remain comparatively scarce in the market. At 0.44 carat, the cutter has achieved a balance between preserving weight and optimizing color and clarity, which implies careful material selection and skilled lapidary work. The mixed brilliant cut enhances the face up appearance by allowing more of the ruby s rich red to be perceived, which can be particularly important when weight is below the half carat threshold. The absence of heat or other enhancement amplifies the stone s rarity in terms of untreated supply, and for many connoisseurs and trade buyers untreated material carries an added premium that is independent of raw size. Collectors and designers who prioritize natural, unenhanced gems often regard stones in this weight range as attractive because they provide access to high quality, untreated color without the logistical and financial demands associated with larger single stones.

For technical specification and practical design notes, this ruby s dimensions of 5.60 by 3.41 by 2.18 millimeters produce a compact footprint that sits comfortably within traditional ring settings while still offering a notable color presence. The mixed brilliant cutting style and excellent polish contribute to efficient light performance, and the very slightly included clarity grade indicates inclusions that do not detract from the gem s overall visual impact at normal viewing distances. The measured 0.44 carat weight, coupled with intense color and untreated origin, positions this ruby as a premium small format gem suitable for refined jewelry applications and considered purchases. The Natural Ruby Company provides this information to support transparent evaluation, and is available to supply further documentation on origin, measurements, and grading to facilitate design, appraisal, and acquisition decisions.