Description: An intense ruby red body, sharply expressed crystal geometry and deeply textured surfaces give this Burmese spinel a striking sculptural presence. Three intergrown crystals create a sculptural composition, with a dominant octahedral crystal accompanied by two smaller crystals that extend its silhouette and introduce contrasting angles, reflective planes and recessed junctions. The larger crystal establishes the specimen’s architectural character. Its triangular faces meet along defined edges, while the adjoining crystals introduce an appealing asymmetry. From one perspective, the composition appears broad and expansive; from another, the crystals overlap visually, revealing the depth of their intergrowth and the angular spaces between them. Ruby red gives the specimen its strongest visual identity. Deeper crimson areas alternate with brighter scarlet passages, producing a rich tonal range throughout the crystal group. Where light enters the translucent body, the red becomes more vivid and luminous, particularly along thinner sections and projecting edges. The relationship between colour and reflection changes as the specimen is rotated. Broad faces catch the light, while neighbouring recesses retain darker red tones. This contrast brings the surface relief into focus and allows different parts of the crystal architecture to become prominent in succession. Pronounced etching adds a detailed geometric character to the natural faces. Triangular depressions, angular recesses and stepped contours interrupt the broader reflective planes. Some features remain clearly separated, while others meet and form more intricate outlines, creating a varied surface that invites close examination. These etched features complement the underlying octahedral form. Their recessed boundaries introduce depth within individual faces, while small ledges and changes in surface level catch the light differently. The result is a compelling interplay between smooth vitreous planes and more textured areas, with the original crystal geometry remaining clearly expressed. Spinel crystallises in the cubic system and commonly develops an octahedral habit. An octahedron consists of eight triangular faces arranged as two pyramids joined at their bases. These natural crystal faces develop during growth, reflecting the ordered internal structure of the mineral. Etching represents a subsequent process in which dissolution modifies the surface of an existing crystal. Its interaction with crystallographic directions can produce geometric depressions and stepped relief. GIA’s educational material describes the octahedral habit of spinel, while its Gems & Gemology publications document triangular etch features on octahedral faces. This provides the mineralogical context for the combination of angular crystal form and sculpted surface detail displayed here. The two smaller accompanying crystals enrich the composition with additional faces and projecting contours. Their relationship with the larger crystal gives the specimen a distinctive outline, while their connected surfaces introduce further changes in reflection and colour as the viewing angle shifts. The specimen brings together a strong ruby red palette, an expressive arrangement of three crystals and pronounced etched relief. Its individuality lies in the way these elements interact, creating a piece whose overall silhouette is immediately engaging and whose finer surface details remain rewarding under closer observation. Specifications: • Weight: 0.39 g • Weight in carats: 1.95 ct • Dimensions: 8 × 6.5 × 6.5 mm • Origin: Man Sin mine, Mogok, Myanmar • Mineral: Spinel • Colour: Ruby red • Crystal system: Cubic • Crystal habit: Octahedral • Crystal arrangement: Three intergrown crystals comprising one dominant crystal and two smaller accompanying crystals • Surface character: Pronounced etching with triangular depressions, angular recesses and stepped contours • Transparency: Translucent, with variable light transmission across the specimen • Lustre: Vitreous • Condition: Etched crystal faces with visible surface irregularities and imperfections, as shown in the photographs Notable Points: • Rich Ruby Red Colour A concentrated red palette establishes the specimen’s visual identity, with deeper crimson areas contrasting against brighter scarlet passages. • Three Intergrown Crystals One dominant crystal and two smaller companions form a connected composition with an expressive silhouette and multiple points of visual interest. • Distinctive Octahedral Geometry Triangular natural faces and defined edges give the larger crystal the characteristic geometric form associated with spinel. • Pronounced Surface Etching Angular depressions and recessed features create intricate relief across the crystal faces, adding depth and individuality to the specimen. • Clearly Expressed Triangular Features Triangular depressions introduce recurring geometric forms that reveal the relationship between surface dissolution and crystal structure. • Stepped Contours and Recessed Outlines Small ledges and changes in surface level provide additional detail, becoming more apparent as the direction of illumination changes. • Vivid Response to Light Light entering the translucent body brings forward brighter red passages and illuminates selected edges and internal areas. • Reflective Vitreous Faces Broad natural planes return strong reflections, contrasting with textured sections and deeper etched recesses. • Sculptural Crystal Arrangement The smaller accompanying crystals extend the dominant form, creating an appealing asymmetry and a varied outline from different perspectives. • Man Sin Provenance The specimen originates from Man Sin mine in Mogok, Myanmar, a locality documented by GIA for its production of red spinel. Collector’s Interest: The appeal of this specimen rests in the combination of ruby red colour, octahedral crystal form and pronounced surface etching. Each element contributes to a coherent visual identity, from the immediate impact of the red body colour to the finer geometric detail revealed across the natural faces. The arrangement of three intergrown crystals is particularly engaging. The larger crystal provides a clear focal point, while the smaller companions introduce additional angles and reflective surfaces. Their connected forms create a composition that remains interesting as the specimen is viewed from different directions. Closer examination brings the etched relief into prominence. Triangular depressions, stepped boundaries and irregular recesses interrupt the broad faces, offering a detailed record of surface modification while preserving the underlying crystal geometry. Its provenance from Man Sin adds a further point of interest for collectors of Burmese spinel. Together with its colour and crystal arrangement, this locality makes the specimen relevant to collections focused on Myanmar minerals, spinel morphology or naturally etched crystals. The piece is especially suited to collectors who appreciate both the overall composition of a specimen and the finer features of its surfaces. Its individuality lies in the specific relationship between the three crystals and the distribution of etched detail across their faces. Lapidary Potential: The strongest appeal of this spinel lies in preserving its existing crystal composition. Its ruby red colour and translucency contribute to its appearance, while the intergrown octahedral forms and etched surfaces provide the characteristics that distinguish it as a mineral specimen. Faceting would remove the natural faces and their geometric depressions, disrupting the relationship between the three connected crystals. Preserving the group retains its sculptural outline, reflective planes and detailed surface relief. A display that allows several viewing angles would make the most of these features. Soft directional illumination can reveal the etched contours, while light projects and vivid ruby red colour. —————— Shipping and Handling: All orders are shipped by Portuguese National Post and UPS. • Dispatch time: within 1 to 3 business days after payment confirmation to Catawiki • Transit time service: between 2 to 5 business days within europe and worldwide, depending on destination national post. • A tracking number is always provided Photography and transparency: All photos were taken under controlled light conditions, carefully selected to reproduce the most accurate natural colour of each specimen. No filters, colour enhancement, or artificial saturation were applied. The lighting setup uses a calibrated 5500K light source, which replicates neutral daylight and reveals the true tones and clarity of the mineral. Under weaker or more yellow indoor lighting, colours may appear slightly different, which is normal and expected. The purpose of this setup is to present each specimen exactly as it appears in balanced natural daylight, allowing buyers to appreciate its authentic colour and lustre without distortion. Identification and ethics: All specimens offered are guaranteed natural and as described. Their origin and mineral identification are provided with the most accurate and reliable information available. Every effort is made to ensure that each piece is presented with full transparency, avoiding any misleading details regarding its nature, treatment, or provenance. 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 a priority. In the event of any issue, such as loss, damage, or discrepancy, please contact us immediately through Catawiki’s messaging system. We will always find a fair and suitable solution, including refund, replacement, or other commercial arrangements whenever justified. Appreciation and commitment: We sincerely thank you for your trust and preference. Our goal is to continuously bring you some of the most beautiful, unique, and exceptional mineral specimens from around the world. Each piece is carefully selected for its quality and character, ensuring that every purchase meets the highest standards. Your satisfaction and confidence are our top priorities, and we will always strive to exceed your expectations with every order. With gratitude, GemPulse Minerals