0.92 Ct.Tw.Total Carat Weight Ruby Pair from Mozambique

This matched pair of fancy shape red rubies is presented by The Natural Ruby Company, each stone showing careful selection and precision cutting. The weights are 0.45 carats and 0.47 carats respectively, with dimensions 4.51 x 5.25 x 1.78 mm and 4.55 x 5.36 x 1.87 mm. Both stones are step cut, a faceting style characterized by concentric rows of rectangular or trapezoidal facets on the crown and pavilion, producing broad, planar flashes of color rather than the small pinpoint scintillation associated with brilliant cuts. Clarity is graded as very very slightly included when evaluated at eye level, indicating that any internal features are extremely minor and do not detract from the visual integrity of the stones in typical jewelry use. Color is described as medium intense in intensity, a balanced combination of tone and saturation that reads as vivid red in hand and on the finger, while maintaining a degree of transparency that allows clean light transmission. The stones have been heat treated, a stable and widely accepted enhancement used to improve clarity and to normalize color, and their origin is Mozambique, a source known for producing rubies with strong color and good crystal quality. The polish is excellent, with crisp facet junctions and a smooth finish that maximizes luster and face up appeal.

From a cutting and optical perspective these step cut rubies emphasize color and clarity over dispersion and scintillation. The step cut architecture creates large, contiguous planes that act like color windows, allowing the viewer to read the red hue across the entire table rather than in fragmented reflections. This produces an aesthetic that is more architectural and controlled, particularly well suited to designs that rely on color saturation and symmetry. Compared to brilliant cut rubies, which trade off some color depth for increased fire and sparkle, these step cut stones maintain a steady, saturated appearance that is especially attractive in warmer light. Compared to cabochons, which present a smooth, diffused color field and a soft glow, the step cuts here offer sharper edges and greater definition, useful when the design intent is precise geometry. Relative to other species such as spinel or garnet, these rubies exhibit higher refractive index and a different spectral response, which when combined with the step cut results in a deeper, more three dimensional red that holds its presence against bright backgrounds. The small disparity in depth between the two stones, 1.78 mm versus 1.87 mm, has been controlled so that face up color remains consistent, though experienced setters will note that the slightly deeper pavilion on the heavier stone subtly intensifies saturation face up, a factor we account for when matching pairs for symmetry.

Practical considerations for setting and design follow directly from the technical profile of these gems. The low to moderate table to depth relationship and the step cut geometry favor closed back or bezel settings when the objective is to amplify color, and they also sit elegantly in knife edge or halo frames when a cleaner, modern silhouette is desired. For studs, these stones offer an architectural, mirror like appearance that reads small but striking, ideal as matched earrings where the paired symmetry enhances the visual impact. For ring shoulders or as accent stones, their flat pavilion and shallow depths allow for low profile settings that maintain comfort while preserving the architectural facet pattern. In comparison with other matched pairs that prioritize brilliance, these rubies are optimized for collectors and designers who prioritize hue, saturation, and facet clarity. The excellent polish minimizes surface abrasion and ensures that facet junctions remain sharp after setting, and the very very slightly included clarity grade reduces the need for opaque or closed back mounting to mask internal features. At The Natural Ruby Company we pair stones not only by weight and size, but by optical behavior, color bias, and facet alignment, ensuring that when set the pair operates as a single visual unit. If you seek a matched pair that emphasizes pure color and geometric faceting, these Mozambique step cut rubies represent a refined balance of craftsmanship and natural material quality, and we can provide additional viewing angles and setting recommendations upon request.