3.53 Ct. Ruby from Mozambique

This 3.53 carat cushion shape ruby from The Natural Ruby Company presents an exceptional combination of size, color, and workmanship that makes it an outstanding choice for an engagement ring. Measuring 9.16 by 9.07 by 4.63 millimeters, the stone sits as an elegant, near-square cushion that reads with a substantial presence on the finger without feeling oversized. The mixed brilliant cut combines the fire and return of brilliant facets with the softer, romantic outline of a cushion, producing a lively play of light across the pavilion and crown. The cut proportions have been executed to maximize brilliance and face-up color, and the excellent polish delivers crisp facet junctions and bright reflections. For an educated buyer assessing engagement stones, these dimensions and cut characteristics mean the ruby will project a confident center stone silhouette in solitaire or halo settings, and will balance well in common ring head depths and prong counts used for engagement designs.

Color and clarity are the defining attributes of a ruby’s desirability, and this stone scores highly on both. It displays a vivid color intensity, a saturation level prized in the trade, giving the gem an unmistakable, richly saturated red that remains lively under varying lighting conditions. The clarity is described as very very slightly included, evaluated at eye level, indicating that while minute inclusions exist, they are not intrusive to the gem’s overall appearance and do not materially interfere with the visual depth or brilliance. For rubies, such minor inclusions are typical and often expected in natural material, and they serve as evidence of natural origin rather than a detracting flaw. The combination of vivid saturation and eye-level cleanliness gives this ruby the kind of visual impact buyers seek for a signature engagement piece: intense, true red color with transparent, jewel-like clarity.

Full disclosure on enhancement and origin is central to fair valuation and long-term satisfaction. This ruby has been heat treated, a standard and widely accepted enhancement in the ruby market that improves color and can reduce the visibility of inclusions in a stable, permanent manner. Heat treatment is transparent and durable with normal wear, and it does not carry the same permanence or value implications as more invasive treatments. The stone’s origin is Mozambique, a modern and important provenance for vivid rubies. Mozambican rubies are known for producing strong, saturated colors and, in many cases, larger sizes with appealing clarity, characteristics that have made them highly sought after since significant deposits were developed. At The Natural Ruby Company we provide full disclosure of treatment and origin because provenance and treatment history are essential components of an informed buying decision and of the stone’s valuation over time.

Choosing this ruby for an engagement ring is a choice grounded in both aesthetics and practicality. Ruby ranks 9 on the Mohs hardness scale, second only to diamond for everyday wearability among commonly used colored gemstones, and this hardness translates to excellent durability for a ring intended for daily wear. For settings, a low-profile four-prong or rounded bezel can protect the slightly rounded cushion corners while allowing the mixed brilliant facet pattern to exhibit maximum brilliance. Metal choice will influence the perceived color: 18 karat yellow gold tends to warm and intensify the red, producing a classic, romantic presentation, while platinum or white gold offers a modern contrast that emphasizes the stone’s true hue and sparkle. We recommend an independent gemological report upon request for collectors or buyers seeking third-party verification, and The Natural Ruby Company is happy to provide additional images, video, and a formal appraisal to assist with insurance and certification. Routine care is straightforward: gentle warm soapy water and a soft brush for cleaning, avoidance of harsh chemicals and extreme thermal shock, and periodic inspections of the setting. Taken together, the 3.53 carat cushion Mozambique ruby offers rarity, visual drama, and durability — attributes that make it an ideal, meaningful centerpiece for an engagement ring intended to last generations.