Natural Purple Rhodolite Garnet 1.43ct Oval Cabochon

A deep magenta-purple cabochon with a high, smoothly polished dome that gives the color a wet, glassy look. Light gathers in a bright fuchsia band low in the stone while the rim stays dark, close to black at the very edge. Internal fractures cross the upper half and catch the light as pale silvery planes, with a small warm orange-red inclusion sitting near the top left. Semi-transparent rather than clear, so the purple glows through the dome instead of sparkling.

African rhodolite covers this deeper purple end of the range, and cabochon cutting suits material with visible internal structure by making it part of the look. The stone is untreated. At 7x5.6mm with a flat back it is straightforward to set, and it works best as a pendant where the domed top can catch light from above. As a garnet it also serves as a January birthstone.

Natural rhodolite garnet, January birthstone, untreated, sold loose.