**Complimentary Specimens** As a gesture of appreciation, winning lots with a final hammer price above €50 will include one small additional mineral offered entirely free of charge. —————— DESCRIPTION: If nature had an architect, this crystal would be one of its purest blueprints. Here, geometry is not suggested, it is declared. This spinel stands as a near perfect octahedron, a crystalline form so precise that it feels designed rather than grown, as if the Earth itself paused to construct something flawless, balanced and complete. Formed as a true isometric crystal, this specimen presents the classical octahedral habit that defines spinel at its highest expression. Each face converges with deliberate symmetry, each edge crisp and intentional, creating a compact, self contained structure that can be read instantly in three dimensions. Nothing is excessive, nothing is missing. It is crystal architecture reduced to its most elegant solution. The colour is reddish pink, clean and gemlike, recalling the inner glow of heated stone rather than surface pigment. Light does not merely reflect from the crystal; it enters it. Along the edges and thinner sections, the spinel activates internally, revealing depth and luminosity that confirm its gem quality nature. This is a crystal that behaves like a gemstone even before cutting, carrying chromatic authority far beyond its size. Transparency ranges from translucent to locally transparent, allowing the internal structure to participate in the visual experience. Natural internal features are present and honest, reinforcing its untreated state and geological authenticity rather than diminishing its appeal. The lustre is sharply vitreous, enhancing the precision of the faces and reinforcing the clarity of the octahedral geometry. Nothing has been polished, altered or enhanced. This is spinel exactly as it emerged from its host environment, preserved in its natural, uncompromised form. Spinels from Myanmar occupy a singular position in gemology. Long confused with ruby in royal treasuries, they are now understood as one of the most stable and visually powerful coloured gemstones known. Crystals that preserve both form and colour at this level are increasingly rare, particularly at small sizes where perfection is unforgiving. This is not merely rough material. It is a complete natural crystal, where geometry, colour and provenance align with unusual clarity. SPECIFICATIONS: • Weight: 0.05 g • Weight in carats: 0.25 ct • Dimensions: 3.5 × 3.5 × 3.5 mm • Origin: Mogok Stone Tract, Myanmar (Burma) • Mineral species: Spinel • Chemical formula: MgAl₂O₄ • Crystal system: Isometric (cubic) • Crystal habit: Natural octahedral crystal • Colour: Reddish pink • Transparency: Translucent to locally transparent • Lustre: Vitreous • Treatment: None NOTABLE POINTS: • Complete natural spinel crystal • Near perfect octahedral geometry • Fully preserved crystal faces and edges • True isometric growth, not fragmentary rough • Gem quality reddish pink colour visible without cutting • Strong internal luminosity for its size • Clean reddish pink hue without brown or dull modifiers • Natural untreated state confirmed by internal features • Crisp vitreous lustre across all faces • Classical morphology typical of high quality spinel • Compact, balanced and visually coherent structure • Direct dual appeal to mineral and gem collectors COLLECTOR’S INTEREST: This specimen appeals to collectors who value form as much as colour. While many spinels enter the market solely as faceting rough, few retain such clear and readable crystal geometry. The octahedral habit is iconic, but rarely preserved with this level of balance at small scale. For serious collectors, this crystal offers educational clarity and aesthetic precision. It is a reference example of spinel crystallography, elevated further by its reddish pink colour and Mogok provenance. A piece that rewards close inspection rather than scale alone. LAPIDARY POTENTIAL: The colour saturation and internal behaviour indicate genuine lapidary potential. With careful orientation, the crystal could yield a small but vividly coloured gemstone, benefiting from spinel’s excellent hardness and stability. However, cutting would permanently erase the octahedral form that defines this specimen’s identity. Its strongest and most honest expression lies in its current state, where geometry, colour and natural growth remain fully visible and intact. ————— Shipping and Handling: All orders are shipped by Portuguese National Post. • Dispatch time: within 1 to 3 business days after payment confirmation to Catawiki • Transit time with CTT service: between 5 to 7 business days within europe and worldwide, depending on destination national post. • A tracking number is always provided Photography and transparency: All photographs are taken under controlled lighting conditions using a macro lens, carefully selected to present each specimen as accurately as possible. No filters, colour enhancement, or artificial saturation are applied. The lighting setup uses a calibrated 5500K light source, replicating neutral daylight to reveal natural tones, surface features, and internal characteristics. Under warmer or weaker indoor lighting, colours may appear slightly different, which is normal. The purpose of this photographic process is documentation and representation, not visual enhancement. Images are intended to reflect the specimen faithfully as it appears under balanced natural light conditions. Identification and ethics: All specimens offered are natural and described to the best of our knowledge, based on direct sourcing, professional experience, and information provided by trusted suppliers working at the origin. Every effort is made to ensure transparency and accuracy regarding identification, locality, and general characteristics, avoiding misleading statements about treatment, provenance, or nature. Customs and import taxes: Any customs duties, import fees, or local taxes applied by the destination country are entirely the responsibility of the winning bidder. These charges are not included in the auction price or shipping cost and are determined by the buyer’s local authorities. Guarantee and resolution: Customer satisfaction is important. In the unlikely event of an issue such as loss, damage, or discrepancy, please contact us promptly through Catawiki’s messaging system. Each case is handled individually and fairly, with appropriate solutions offered when justified. Appreciation and commitment: We sincerely thank you for your trust. Our work focuses on careful selection, accurate representation, and respectful presentation of mineral specimens with character and interest. Each piece is chosen for its individual qualities rather than speculative or financial considerations. We aim to provide a transparent, reliable, and consistent experience for collectors at all levels. With gratitude, GemPulse Minerals