2.74 Ct. Cabochon Ruby from Mozambique

This example specimen from The Natural Ruby Company is a meticulously prepared heart shaped ruby cabochon weighing 2.74 carats, with exact measurements of 7.82 by 8.08 by 5.09 millimeters, originating from Mozambique and confirmed as untreated, no enhancement. The heart outline is executed with careful symmetry, the two lobes and central cleft are well defined for a cabochon execution, and the overall silhouette maintains proportional balance between width and height, which is a critical factor when setting a shaped cabochon into a precision bezel or a custom gallery. The choice of a cabochon cut for this piece is deliberate and technically informed, as the cabochon dome maximizes the visual saturation of the stone and provides a stable geometry for handling and mounting, while the 5.09 millimeter thickness yields a substantial dome height that supports a strong color presence without compromising finger comfort in ring applications or depth economy in pendant settings.

Color characteristics are a primary point of technical interest for this ruby, described as pinkish red with intense color intensity, a combination that indicates robust chromium activation within the corundum lattice combined with a modest level of iron that slightly shifts the hue toward the pink end of the red spectrum. The stone is translucent, allowing light to enter and scatter diffusely rather than transmit sharply as in a transparent cut stone, which enhances perceived saturation visually and produces a soft internal glow under diffused lighting. From a gemological perspective the host mineral is corundum, with a refractive index in the range of 1.762 to 1.770 and a birefringence of approximately 0.008 to 0.010, and a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale, factors that govern both the cutting approach and the long term wearability. The intense color intensity combined with translucency is ideal for a cabochon, as the curved surface concentrates and displays the color evenly across the table area, and the absence of enhancement preserves the natural hue and internal character associated with Mozambique material.

Clarity has been graded as very slightly included when evaluated at eye level, which in practical terms means that inclusions are minimal and do not detract from the overall visual field to a degree that would compromise the aesthetic or structural integrity of the stone. Typical inclusion types in Mozambique rubies include fine rutile silk, pinpoint crystals, and occasional thin healed fractures, and in a cabochon these features can be rendered inconspicuous by the cutting strategy, where orientation and dome curvature are used to conceal or diffuse the visual impact of inclusions. The cutter has achieved an excellent polish across the dome, indicating comprehensive progression through abrasive grits and final polishing with submicron diamond paste or cerium oxide, resulting in a high gloss with minimal surface disturbance such as polishing lines or pits. The combination of very slightly included clarity and excellent polish produces a visually clean surface, while the translucency allows controlled light diffusion that masks minor internal features and emphasizes color saturation.

From a practical application and design standpoint this heart shaped cabochon is technically suited to secure bezel style settings and low profile gallery mounts that protect the girdle and perimeter while showcasing the heart outline, while a deep bezel cup will guard the gem against edge impacts and preserve the dome geometry. For ring use a custom bezel with a narrow flange is recommended to maintain the visual integrity of the heart cleft, and for pendants a flush bezel or closed back mount will enhance the intensity of the pinkish red tone by minimizing background interference. Metal choices such as warm yellow gold or rose gold will reinforce the red tonal family and intensify the apparent color, while white metals will provide a modern contrast and may slightly cool the perceived hue. The untreated status and Mozambique origin add provenance value and are important considerations for certification and resale, and The Natural Ruby Company can provide documentation and photographic records on request to support appraisal and insurance needs. If you require additional technical data, such as a detailed inclusion photomicrograph, a refractive index reading, or guidance on custom mounting tolerances for the specified 7.82 by 8.08 by 5.09 millimeter dimensions, The Natural Ruby Company is available to advise on setting design, grading documentation, and care recommendations to ensure the stone performs optimally in its final application.