2.10 Ct. Ruby from Madagascar

This 2.10 carat cushion-shaped ruby from Madagascar presents a technically refined combination of dimensions and cutting style that will immediately appeal to connoisseurs. Measuring 8.40 by 6.79 by 3.69 millimeters, the stone has an overall depth ratio of approximately 49 percent, a proportion that favors strong face-up color saturation and controlled windowing. The cutter employed a mixed brilliant schema, with a brilliant-style crown to maximize scintillation and a complementary pavilion arrangement that balances step-influenced light return with depth of color. The mixed brilliant geometry produces a lively play of pinpoint flashes and larger facet-scintillation, while maintaining a uniform color face-up, aided by an excellent polish that yields crisp facet junctions and minimal surface diffusion. Clarity is graded as slightly included at eye level, which in practical terms means the internal characteristics are present but do not materially interrupt the gem’s transparency or its strong vivid color intensity. Importantly, this ruby is unenhanced, a natural, untreated material, a rarity that The Natural Ruby Company highlights for collectors and custom design clients who prioritize provenance and geological integrity.

From a gemological and setting-engineering perspective, the stone’s attributes suggest specific mounting strategies to both protect the gem and showcase its optical properties. The cushion outline with softened corners benefits from a secure, minimally intrusive prong architecture or a low-profile bezel that is micro-engineered to brace the girdle without masking the face-up surface. A four- or six-prong cathedral setting in platinum will allow maximum light entry to the brilliant crown facets, enhancing scintillation, while a thin, custom-milled bezel variant in 18 karat rose gold can warm the overall presentation and reduce the risk of corner chipping in wearable daily jewelry. Given the slightly included clarity, the seat and girdle should be cut to provide stable contact points and a supportive bezel floor or prong seat rather than excessive pressure on localized areas. The relatively shallow depth favors a slightly raised setting plane to preserve light return; a low profile with a pierced gallery will protect the pavilion without shutting off additional light refraction pathways.

When considering complementary gemstones, the ruby’s vivid red opens many refined design directions depending on desired contrast, color harmony, and technical execution. For maximal brilliance and a classic high-contrast approach, pair the ruby with high-quality round brilliant diamonds of H to F color and Very Good to Excellent cut proportions as accent melee and halo stones. The near-colorless diamonds will deliver intense scintillation that frames the ruby’s red without imparting unwanted color shifts, and strategically placed tapered baguettes at the shoulders can lengthen the silhouette and emphasize the cushion’s axis. For a sophisticated color-resonant composition, use pink sapphires or padparadscha sapphires as secondary stones; their analogous hues will produce a graded red–pink field that enhances saturation while maintaining cohesion. For designers seeking dramatic chromatic contrast, calibrated round or step-cut emeralds or chrome diopside can create a complementary green field; note that emeralds often require protective settings due to natural fissures, so channel-set tapered baguettes or bezel-set accents are advisable to mitigate stress. Blue sapphires, particularly deep cornflower blues, will offer a regal triadic palette when combined with yellow metal, creating a luxurious, high-contrast piece that still reads cohesive.

In translation to a finished custom piece, the ruby’s dimensions and mixed brilliant cut lend themselves to center-of-piece applications where both optical performance and wearability are required. A bespoke three-stone ring with proportional trillion diamonds or tapered baguettes will emphasize the cushion’s length and color, while a halo of calibrated brilliant melee will amplify perceived size and add perimeter scintillation; if using colored accents, select sapphires or spinels of closely matched tone and controlled saturation to avoid muddiness. Metal selection should be made with attention to refractive contrast and long-term wear: platinum for maximum contrast and security, 18 karat yellow gold for warmth and vintage appeal, and 18 karat rose gold to intensify the ruby’s red through warm undertones. For necklaces and pendants, a pierced gallery and a slightly elevated seat will optimize light entry for photography and display. At The Natural Ruby Company we work with bench jewelers to translate these technical choices into secure, elegant settings that respect the stone’s untreated origin and optical character, ensuring the final piece balances preservation, performance, and visual harmony.