1.17 Ct. Ruby from Mozambique

This transparent 1.17 carat oval ruby, measuring 6.78 by 5.17 by 3.80 millimeters, exemplifies the qualities that discerning buyers seek. Cut as an elegant oval with a mixed brilliant cutting style, this ruby displays a vivid color intensity that immediately captures the eye, and an excellent polish that allows light to dance through its facets. Its clarity has been graded as eye clean when evaluated at normal viewing distance, which means that there are no inclusions visible without magnification that would interrupt the overall brilliance and visual appeal. The stone has been heat treated, a common and stable enhancement in fine rubies that improves color saturation and removes undesirable inclusions in a way that is widely accepted by trade professionals and gemological laboratories. Originating from Mozambique, this gem comes from a region that has become known for producing richly colored corundum, and The Natural Ruby Company stands behind the gem with transparent documentation and provenance details to support its quality and history.

Imagine the deep history behind this gem, formed millions of years ago within the earths crust under conditions of intense heat and pressure. Rubies are the gem variety of corundum, an aluminum oxide mineral that crystallizes in aluminum rich environments where silica content is low. Tiny amounts of chromium substitute into the crystal lattice during growth, and it is this chromium trace element that gives the corundum the red color we call ruby. In the region that is now Mozambique, tectonic processes folded and metamorphosed ancient sedimentary and igneous rocks, concentrating aluminum rich layers and creating pockets where corundum crystals could nucleate and grow. Over vast spans of geological time, fluids moving through fractures carried elements and facilitated crystal growth, allowing corundum to develop into transparent crystals. Subsequent uplift and erosion liberated these crystals from their host rocks, transporting some into alluvial deposits where natural abrasion rounded fragments and concentrated the most durable and attractive crystals for later discovery.

From a gemological perspective, the combination of a vivid color intensity and an eye clean clarity makes this 1.17 carat ruby particularly desirable to an educated buyer. Color is the primary determinant of value in rubies, and a vivid, saturated red that retains brightness under varied lighting is rare. The mixed brilliant cut is chosen to maximize face up color and scintillation, while the oval outline allows efficient weight distribution to present a larger face up appearance than many other shapes at the same carat weight. The excellent polish enhances light return and allows the vivid color to breathe, producing a lively and appealing stone in hand. Heat treatment is disclosed, because responsible trade practice requires transparency about enhancements. Heat treatment in rubies is a well understood, stable process that often results in a more uniformly colored and visually pure gem. For buyers who require certification, The Natural Ruby Company can assist with third party gemological reports that document weight, measurements, cut style, clarity observations, treatment disclosure, and stated origin, thereby supporting both aesthetic appreciation and investment confidence.

When considering this ruby for a custom commission or an existing jewelry setting, its size and proportions are highly versatile for a variety of applications, from a refined solitaire ring to an elegant pendant. Corundum has a hardness and toughness that make rubies durable for everyday wear, and the eye clean clarity reduces the likelihood of inclusions affecting durability over time. For preservation, routine care includes avoiding abrupt temperature changes, keeping the gem away from strong chemicals, and periodic professional cleaning and inspection, especially if set in a ring. The Natural Ruby Company provides detailed provenance information, transparent grading notes, and responsible recommendations on settings and insurance appraisal to help protect your purchase. This 1.17 carat Mozambique ruby combines geological heritage, meticulous cutting and polishing, and clear treatment disclosure, creating a compelling proposition for collectors and connoisseurs who seek authenticity, beauty, and long term value.