2.06 Ct. Ruby from Mozambique

This GRS certified natural ruby is a finely transparent specimen weighing 2.06 carat, presented in a classic cushion shape with refined proportions measuring 8.23 by 6.00 by 3.91 mm. The cutting style is a mixed brilliant, designed to marry the scintillation of brilliant facets with the color retention advantages of broader pavilion geometry. The stone exhibits vivid color intensity, a pure saturated red that remains lively across viewing angles, and an excellent polish that produces crisp facet junctions and clean light return. Clarity is graded as slightly included at eye level, meaning that internal features are present on close inspection, yet they do not detract from the gem's overall visual performance or its transparency. Enhancement is none, the ruby is provided in its natural state, and the GRS report documents both the untreated condition and Mozambique origin, providing independent verification of provenance and treatment status.

The journey of this ruby began in the alluvial deposits of Mozambique, a known source of high quality rubies where tectonic processes have concentrated corundum crystals into river gravels. In the field, the rough was recovered through careful screening and sluicing, then subjected to preliminary sorting to separate material by color, transparency, and size. From the first assessment, this piece stood out for its clean crystal habit and strong intrinsic color, making it a candidate for precision cutting rather than bulk tumbling. Ethical sourcing practices were observed at every stage, and the lot was cataloged and photographed before being consigned to the cutting atelier. At every transfer point samples were retained for spectral and inclusion analysis, and the finished gem was forwarded to GRS for independent testing, where gemological techniques confirmed natural origin and absence of thermal or chemical enhancement.

The lapidary considerations that guided the cutting of this ruby illustrate a deliberate tradeoff between weight retention and optical optimization, a balance that The Natural Ruby Company pursues consistently. The cutter opted for a mixed brilliant scheme, combining a faceted crown with kite and star facets to increase surface scintillation, while maintaining a modified brilliant pavilion to maximize internal light reflection. The cushion outline was preserved to emphasize the stone's natural crystal proportions, with gently rounded corners that reduce susceptibility to chipping in jewelry settings. Facet symmetry was executed with micrometric precision, and the girdle thickness was controlled to provide stability without introducing dark banding. The polish quality is excellent, achieved through sequential polishing laps and fine abrasives that removed micro abrasions while preserving crisp facet edges, resulting in heightened brilliance and a smooth tactile finish.

Viewed in practical use, this 2.06 carat Mozambique ruby presents as a versatile high color stone suitable for a solitaire ring or a refined pendant, where its vivid red will read as both classic and contemporary. The slightly included clarity provides evidence of natural origin, contributing to the gemological narrative without compromising sparkle, and the lack of enhancement enhances its long term value and collectability. At The Natural Ruby Company we document each step of the stone's chain of custody and provide the GRS certificate alongside detailed images that show proportion, facet arrangement, and in hand scale. For connoisseurs who value technical excellence, provenance, and transparency in treatment, this cushion mixed brilliant ruby represents a rare confluence of material quality and expert craftsmanship, ready to be set into a piece that will retain both aesthetic and investment appeal.