Thanks Kelpie, kt, and natsplat. Kelpie, I haven't thought too much about setting yet, since a) I can't seem to stop buying stones first, and b) I have to dig myself out of the hole I've dug first.
These pictures just aren't really good enough. The spinel is so wonderfully cut (thanks, Gene!) and sparkly. I LOVE it and it will probably be one of the first of my stones to be set whenever the time comes - likely as a honkin' cocktail ring.
Also, this is not my first spinel - I have two hot pink Mahenge spinels, one of which I've actually posted on this forum. I blame my confusion on sleep deprivation.
There is a small "natural" on the side, so I was thinking of either putting a bezel around it (which my jeweler suggested might be okay if we use a softer metal, like palladium, which I've been wanting to try for a while anyway) or a halo, which would add to the size (and, presumably, cost), but then I don't have to worry about any damage to the area during setting, and it might protect it somewhat from me dinging it (?). Any suggestions/thoughts are welcome, of course.