0.50 Ct. Ruby from Burma (Myanmar)

This oval shaped ruby weighs 0.50 carat, and measures 5.76 x 4.21 x 2.21 mm, offering a compact profile with proportional depth, sourced from Burma Myanmar. The stone is transparent, with a vivid color intensity and a clarity grade of very slightly included when evaluated at eye level, highlighting the gem quality of the material. The cutting style is a mixed brilliant cut, with an excellent polish that produces clean facet junctions and minimal surface abrasion. Enhancement has been applied through heat treatment, a standard and stable practice that optimizes chroma while maintaining structural integrity. The Natural Ruby Company presents this specimen with precise measurements and treatment disclosure, enabling informed appraisal and confident selection.

The geometric faceting has been executed to maximize light play, combining a brilliant facet schema on the crown with a controlled step component in the pavilion to balance color saturation and return of light. The oval outline requires careful proportional planning to avoid windowing and to ensure even color distribution across the length and width of the stone. At the given dimensions the depth ratio is approximately 44 percent relative to the average diameter, a proportion that supports robust internal reflection without excessive darkening. The crown presents a well scaled table and a series of kite and star facets that create multiple internal reflection planes, while the pavilion facets are arranged to provide precise optical symmetry, channeling incident light back through the crown facets to produce optimal brilliance and scintillation.

From an optical performance perspective, the mixed brilliant geometry in this ruby enhances three critical phenomena, brilliance, scintillation, and color saturation. Brilliance is delivered by the coordinated angles and facet sizes which maximize total internal reflection for the corundum refractive index range, scintillation is generated by the alternating broad and narrow facet faces which produce lively flashes with movement, and enhanced color saturation is achieved by the pavilion design that returns more red light and reduces leakage. Rubies often exhibit pleochroism, and this cut minimizes undesired directional color shifts by averaging light paths across the oval shape, producing a consistent vivid red at multiple viewing angles. The very slightly included clarity grade indicates blemishes or minor inclusions that do not obstruct light flow at normal viewing distances, therefore the internal field contributes character without compromising optical performance.

Craftsmanship details include a consistent girdle thickness that supports secure setting, and an even polish that eliminates micro abrasion, allowing facet planes to act as precise mirrors. The facet junctions are sharp and well aligned, promoting crisp contrast patterns that experienced gem buyers can appreciate under both diffused and direct illumination. Heat treatment has been applied in a controlled manner to enhance color uniformity and reduce the visibility of rutile silk and other inclusions, a process which in this example preserves transparency and structural stability. For mounting, an open or semi open setting is recommended to allow maximum light ingress, prong or four bead settings will preserve the designed light return, while closed back styles will deepen color and may reduce apparent brilliance, a consideration for designs that prioritize color depth over scintillation.

For the discerning buyer seeking technical merit and aesthetic refinement, this 0.50 carat Burmese ruby from The Natural Ruby Company offers a compelling combination of precise geometry, superior polish, and natural saturation, enhanced through responsible heat treatment. The mixed brilliant faceting strategy provides a balance of fire and color, producing lively scintillation and consistent vivid red under varied lighting conditions. When specifying a mount, consider settings that expose the pavilion to light, use secure yet minimal metal work around the girdle, and consult with a lapidary or jeweler experienced in corundum proportions to preserve the optical intent of the cut. The Natural Ruby Company stands behind the descriptive specifications provided, and welcomes technical inquiries regarding facet maps, mounting recommendations, and comparative performance with alternate cuts to ensure the stone meets rigorous technical and aesthetic expectations.