0.55 Ct. Ruby from Burma (Myanmar)

This exemplary transparent ruby, presented by The Natural Ruby Company, is a 0.55 carat oval, measuring 6.14 by 4.01 by 2.60 millimeters, with a mixed brilliant faceting scheme, intense pinkish red hue, and a clarity described as very slightly included when evaluated at eye level, heat treated, with an excellent polish. The oval proportions produce a length to width ratio of approximately 1.53, giving a classic elongated outline that flatters finger and pendant settings while preserving optical balance. The measured depth relative to the mean diameter is approximately 51 percent, a proportion that emphasizes face up color saturation and lively return of light, without introducing excessive windowing or a heavy dark center. The mixed brilliant cut employed here combines a faceted crown designed to maximize dispersion and scintillation, with a pavilion geometry that favors controlled contrast and depth, yielding a dynamic balance between brilliance and saturated body color. The polish is executed to a very high standard, each facet junction crisp and free of polish lines, allowing the intense pinkish red color to read evenly across the table and crown facets.

The journey of this ruby begins in Burma, Myanmar, a region globally acknowledged for producing some of the most chromatically vivid rubies. Formed within marble hosted geological environments under precise conditions of chromium enrichment and low iron content, Burmese rubies often display that deep, lively red with subtle pink undertones. From the moment the crystal was unearthed, it was assessed for crystal habit, color zoning, and internal character. The rough piece showed a promising distribution of chromium driven color, and enough size and clarity to justify precision cutting. At The Natural Ruby Company we prioritize sourcing from responsible supply chains, and this specimen was documented through the early stages of the supply chain, inspected for natural origin characteristics, and selected for cutting because its combination of color and inclusion pattern would respond well to heat enhancement and careful orientation during faceting.

Cutting this stone required a disciplined technical approach designed to conserve weight while delivering optimal optical performance. The cutter oriented the long axis to align with the crystal’s best color direction, minimizing the appearance of color banding or shifting when set. Preforming was executed to define the oval outline, followed by precise planning of facet angles to accommodate the slightly shallow depth. The mixed brilliant design uses a brilliant style crown, with truncated kite and star facets that increase scintillation, paired with a pavilion that employs modified pavilion facets to create an even light return and to broaden the perceived color across the table. The trade off was carefully managed between pavilion angle and crown height to maintain a vivid face up tone without producing a dark window or overly reflective flash. Heat treatment was applied, a common, stable, and widely accepted enhancement, to improve color saturation and to reduce the prominence of silk type inclusions, rendering the stone visually cleaner at standard viewing distances while preserving natural crystal structure and inherent optical features.

Now prepared for the market, this 0.55 carat pinkish red oval ruby presents as a versatile, technically refined gem ideal for collectors and designers who appreciate specific cutting choices and documented origin. Its intense color intensity, very slightly included clarity at eye level, and excellent polish make it a desirable center stone for a refined, understated ring, a fine studded pendant, or as a paired accent where hue consistency is required. For mounting, settings that allow light to enter the pavilion will maximize the mixed brilliant cut’s performance, prong, or open bezel styles are recommended, with attention to metal color to complement the pinkish red tone. The Natural Ruby Company stands behind the technical disclosures, including the Burmese origin and the heat treatment enhancement, and provides detailed photographic and dimensional documentation to facilitate confident selection. For buyers who value craftsmanship, provenance, and cut precision, this ruby embodies the technical nuances of expert lapidary practice, and represents a compact but powerful expression of Burmese ruby character suitable for both connoisseur collections and bespoke jewelry commissions.