5.03 Ct. Ruby from Burma (Myanmar)

This ruby presents as a textbook example of precision cutting, gemological quality, and classic Burmese coloring, offered by The Natural Ruby Company. The specimen weighs 5.03 carats, and its oval outline measures 11.40 millimeters by 8.43 millimeters by 5.86 millimeters. The cutter elected a mixed brilliant faceting scheme, combining a faceted pavilion executed with brilliant style facets and a crown that balances step and modified brilliant facets, to optimize both light return and color saturation. The clarity has been evaluated as very slightly included at eye level, indicating that the stone is effectively eye clean under normal viewing conditions, while small internal features are typical for natural corundum and do not interfere with overall transparency. The color grade is vivid in intensity, exhibiting the saturated red prized by connoisseurs, and the polish is graded excellent, reflecting a highly skilled lapidary execution. Enhancement is limited to heat treatment, a stable and widely accepted process in trade, and the documented origin is Burma, Myanmar, a provenance that historically correlates with some of the most sought after ruby material.

Examining the cutting and proportions, the gemstone depth to length ratio is a defining metric, with the measured depth of 5.86 millimeters corresponding to a depth of approximately 51.4 percent relative to its maximum length. This depth percentage, combined with oval proportions that favor a length to width ratio near 1.35, supports an even balance between brilliance and color concentration. The mixed brilliant approach on the pavilion increases internal light dispersion, generating scintillation while allowing the crown geometry to modulate hue intensity through controlled light leakage. The faceting pattern minimizes windowing in the face up position, and the facet junctions show precise alignment, contributing to consistent reticle interactions when viewed under direct light. The girdle and pavilion interface have been executed to support secure mounting with minimal loss of material, and the excellent polish enhances both surface reflectivity and the perception of depth, enabling the vivid red to present with notable saturation and life.

From a colorimetric and clarity perspective, the ruby exhibits attributes that appeal to collectors and technical buyers alike. The red exhibits a vivid saturation, and the tone is centered in the medium to medium deep range, which is optimal for preserving both color saturation and brilliance under various lighting environments. The stone displays the characteristic pleochroism of ruby, where subtle shifts between primary red and slightly deeper red violet can be observed when the stone is rotated, underlining the importance of orientation during mounting to display the most compelling face up color. The very slightly included clarity grade indicates that inclusions are minimal to the unaided eye, and that these features are contained and do not compromise structural integrity. Heat treatment has been employed, a standard practice for improving color uniformity and reducing silk and rutile related haziness, and in this example the treatment is consistent with laboratory expectations, producing a stable enhancement that improves optical performance without artificial fillers or diffusion processes.

On a gemological basis, the specimen is corundum, bearing the diagnostic physical and optical constants that underpin its performance in jewelry and investment contexts. Typical refractive index values for ruby fall in the range of 1.762 to 1.770, with a birefringence near 0.008, and a specific gravity around 4.00, all indicators of corundum and contributing to the stone sitting securely in most mounting designs while offering notable heft for its dimensions. The hardness of nine on the Mohs scale ensures strong wear resistance, making this ruby appropriate for daily wear pieces when properly mounted, and excellent for heirloom and statement jewelry applications. For collectors seeking precision, the combination of a 5.03 carat weight, mixed brilliant cutting philosophy, vivid Burmese color, and an eye level very slightly included clarity grade delivers a comprehensive set of attributes that integrates rarity, aesthetic appeal, and technical merit. The Natural Ruby Company presents this ruby as a perfect addition to a high end gemstone collection, and we recommend professional certification and bespoke setting design to fully realize the optical and investment potential of this exceptional Burmese ruby.