Vietnamese Pink Spinel Rough Crystal, 26.5 Carats

This specimen is a significant piece of rough spinel from Vietnam, weighing approximately 26.5 carats. The gemstone exhibits a vibrant, saturated pink to reddish-pink hue, characteristic of high-quality spinel from the Luc Yen district. The material displays an sub-euhedral to irregular crystal habit with evident natural trigons and growth lines across its surface planes. The luster is vitreous, reflecting light well despite the unpolished state. In terms of clarity, the specimen appears semi-transparent to translucent; visible internal features include typical feathered inclusions and fractures, which are standard for natural rough of this size. The external surfaces show some contact marks and minor surface-reaching fissures consistent with alluvial mining or extraction processes. There are no signs of synthetic treatment or glass filling visible in the provided image, indicating a natural state. The saturation is uniform throughout the piece, suggesting a potentially high yield for faceted stones, although the internal fractures will dictate the final cutting geometry. The piece represents a desirable size for collectors or for high-end lapidary work, showcasing the intense coloration that has made Vietnamese spinel a competitor to fine ruby in the gemstone market.