0.68 Ct. Ruby from Madagascar

This transparent cushion shaped ruby weighs 0.68 carat, and measures 5.23 by 4.34 by 3.45 millimeters, and it presents a balanced combination of brilliance and depth due to its mixed brilliant cut. The stone displays a vivid color intensity, with rich red tones that remain consistent across the table and pavilion, and an excellent polish that enhances light return and surface luster. Clarity is graded as very slightly included when evaluated at eye level, and the inclusions are minor and do not detract from the gem that remains clean to the eye for practical viewing. This ruby has been heat treated, a well established and accepted enhancement in the trade that improves color and clarity while maintaining the natural origin of the material, and the gem originates from Madagascar, a source known for producing lively and desirable rubies. The Natural Ruby Company offers this gem with exacting photographic and measurement documentation, enabling precise evaluation for design and appraisal.

This ruby connects to a long heritage of use for red corundum in personal ornament and ceremonial objects, a lineage that spans centuries across multiple cultures. Historically, rubies have been set by goldsmiths into signet rings, pendants, and crown jewels, often selected for their combination of brightness and saturated color, and they have been valued as symbols of vitality, courage, and status. In South and Southeast Asian traditions red corundum was frequently used in auspicious jewelry and talismanic settings, chosen for its perceived capacity to strengthen resolve and protect the wearer, and in medieval Europe rubies were likewise reserved for distinguished commissions and ecclesiastical adornment. The cushion shape itself reflects classical proportions, offering a soft rectangular outline with rounded corners that has been favored in heirloom designs, while the mixed brilliant cut translates that traditional form into modern optical performance, delivering scintillation that suits both antique inspired and contemporary settings.

For practical application, the gem is well suited for a single stone ring, a refined pendant, or a central element in bespoke fine jewelry, and its modest weight and clean appearance allow for elegant settings that emphasize color rather than size. In settings where resilience is required, the gem can be secured with precision prongs or a bezel mount that highlights the cushion profile and protects the girdle, and the excellent polish will ensure comfortable wear and consistent flash under daily lighting. Care recommendations include avoiding sustained exposure to strong acids and household chemicals, limiting mechanical impact that could chip the girdle or pavilion, and periodic professional cleaning by a qualified jeweler, further noting that heat treated rubies are stable under normal wear conditions. For buyers and designers seeking documentation, The Natural Ruby Company can provide detailed imagery and a full description of the gem, including its origin, treatment disclosure, measurements, and clarity assessment, to support insured appraisal and responsible provenance.

This ruby represents a considered balance between historical resonance and modern gemological standards, offering both the aesthetic depth associated with traditional red corundum and the transparency and polish prized by contemporary gem cutters. Its vivid color and compact dimensions make it an adaptable choice for a range of jewelry commissions, and its origins in Madagascar place it among a new generation of sourcing regions that produce stones with vibrant color and reliable cutting characteristics. When incorporated into a design, the stone will convey the heritage of ruby use through its color and form, while meeting current expectations for finish and stability, and it will serve as a refined, enduring element in any collection that values both provenance and craftsmanship.