5.49 Ct. Ruby from Mozambique

This transparent cushion shaped ruby weighs 5.49 carat, and measures 13.26 by 9.85 by 4.74 millimeters, and it is presented by The Natural Ruby Company with full disclosure of its attributes. The stone is described as pinkish red with vivid color intensity, and it is certified as Other. The cutting style is a mixed brilliant cut, combining the scintillating facet arrangement of a brilliant with the broader planes of step cutting, which is particularly effective in a cushion outline. Clarity is graded as slightly included when evaluated at eye level, and the stone has been heat treated to enhance clarity and color stability. The polish is excellent, and the piece originates from Mozambique, a source known for producing richly colored rubies with strong tone and saturation.

The optical properties of corundum, the mineral family to which ruby belongs, are central to the gems exceptional sparkle. Corundum has a relatively high refractive index, and this causes significant bending of light as it passes from air into the crystal, increasing internal reflection. The presence of chromium as a trace element imparts the red hue, and the manner in which chromium absorbs and transmits specific wavelengths influences the stones apparent brightness. In a mixed brilliant cut, small crown facets break incoming light into numerous components, and those components are redirected by the pavilion facets back toward the viewer. The precise geometry of each facet, combined with the high refractive index of ruby, produces strong contrast between bright and dark areas, and the result is a lively play of light that is perceived as sparkle.

Facet proportions and polish quality further refine the sparkle, and the cushion shape of this specimen optimizes light return through slightly rounded corners and a broad table. The mixed brilliant arrangement places emphasis on both scintillation and overall flash, allowing rapid changes in brightness as the stone or the observer moves. Excellent polish reduces surface scattering, permitting more light to be refracted and reflected internally rather than dissipated by a dull surface. Slight inclusions are present, and because they are small and dispersed they do not interrupt the primary paths of reflected light, so they have minimal impact on the stones dynamic performance. Heat treatment has reduced some of the more absorbing inclusions and has homogenized color zoning, which increases the uniformity of light return and enhances the visual impression of depth and fire.

From a practical perspective this 5.49 carat Mozambique ruby is a balance of natural character and refined cutting, and it exemplifies how structural and material factors combine to produce exceptional brilliance. The crystalline lattice of corundum, the chromium induced color, the high refractive index, and the carefully executed mixed brilliant facet pattern all contribute to a level of sparkle that distinguishes this gem from many others. The Natural Ruby Company presents this stone with attention to its disclosed treatment history and origin, and with a focus on measurable attributes such as carat weight, dimensions, clarity grade, cut style, and polish quality, so that a collector or maker of fine jewelry can assess its suitability for a custom setting or a museum quality piece.