2.68 Ct. Ruby from Mozambique

This ruby is a finely proportioned, transparent 2.68 carat oval, presenting dimensions of 10.36 by 7.43 by 3.75 millimeters, cut in a mixed brilliant style to balance depth of color with lively light return. The mixed brilliant approach integrates a modified crown of large star and kite facets with a pavilion that uses a combination of step and brilliant facet geometry, yielding bright table reflections and a controlled dispersion pattern that preserves color saturation face up. At these dimensions the stone shows an overall depth ratio of approximately 42 percent, which favors a broad face up area that maximizes apparent size and color impact, rather than extreme brilliance at the expense of color. The body color is best described as pinkish red with intense color intensity, and the gem exhibits very good transparency with internal characteristics visible at eye level, earning a clarity grade of included when viewed without magnification. The inclusion suite is consistent with natural ruby, with fine internal features that interact with light to create depth and character rather than detract from the gem when set and viewed at normal distances.

The cutter achieved an excellent polish across faceted planes, and the proportions are optimized to retain the finest possible material from a Mozambique rough, where color zoning and crystal orientation require deliberate planning to avoid color leakage. Heat treatment has been applied, a well established and stable enhancement that improves both hue uniformity and apparent clarity, while avoiding secondary fillers or resin treatments that compromise durability. The lapidary chose an oval outline to emphasize the stone's color while preserving weight, making it ideal for a variety of settings including solitaire rings, pendant centers, or bespoke designs that benefit from a warm, broad face up appearance. The mixed brilliant faceting yields strong flash and broad color windows, and the excellent polish ensures that light is returned efficiently across the table and crown facets, contributing to a lively face up presentation. For practical considerations, the gem is durable under normal wear, and standard care with warm soapy water and a soft brush is appropriate, avoids ultrasonic cleaners when the mounting by the jeweler might trap debris, and ensures the long term appearance of a heat treated yet stable natural ruby.

Compared to lab grown rubies, this natural Mozambique specimen offers several market and aesthetic advantages that distinguish it for collectors and connoisseurs. Natural rubies display a unique internal fingerprint, a combination of inclusions, growth zoning, and color distribution that cannot be perfectly replicated by synthetic processes, and these features are valued as evidence of natural formation and geological origin. The provenance from Mozambique contributes to rarity and desirability, as material from that region can present an attractive balance of color intensity and natural character that commands premium collector interest. Lab grown rubies provide excellent value for uniform, inclusion free material, and they can be ideal for certain design applications where absolute homogeneity and lower cost are priorities, however lab grown material typically lacks the individuality and potential for appreciation that natural stones can offer. The Natural Ruby Company sources and evaluates natural rubies with attention to origin and treatment disclosure, and we can provide detailed imagery and independent laboratory reports on request, to support investment and design decisions. This 2.68 carat pinkish red oval is an example of skilled cutting and stable heat enhancement applied to a naturally formed gemstone, offering the tactile history, geological story, and market attributes that knowledgeable buyers seek in a high quality natural ruby.