Collection: Spinel

Spinel is a stunning and durable gemstone that has been historically mistaken for ruby and sapphire due to its vibrant colors. It is now highly valued in its own right for its beauty, rarity, and excellent gemological properties.

Qualities of Spinel:

1. Color – Spinel occurs in a variety of colors, including red, pink, orange, purple, blue, and even black. The most prized colors are vivid red, hot pink, and cobalt blue.
2. Hardness & Durability – It has a hardness of 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale, making it a durable gemstone suitable for everyday wear.
3. Brilliance & Luster – Spinel has excellent brilliance due to its high refractive index and is often cut to maximize its sparkle.
4. Clarity – Generally, spinel is found with high clarity, meaning fewer inclusions compared to other gemstones like ruby.
5. Transparency – Typically transparent to translucent.
6. Rarity – Fine spinel, especially in vivid colors, is rare, making it a prized collector's stone.
7. Pleochroism – Spinel does not exhibit pleochroism (color change when viewed from different angles), meaning its color is uniform.
8. Fluorescence – Some red spinels fluoresce under UV light due to trace amounts of chromium.
9. Composition – Spinel is a magnesium aluminum oxide (MgAl₂O₄) and belongs to the cubic crystal system.

Notable Varieties:

• Red Spinel – Resembles ruby; historically mistaken for rubies in crown jewels.
• Blue Spinel – Highly sought after, especially the rare cobalt-blue variety.
• Pink & Purple Spinel – Popular due to their vibrant hues.
• Black Spinel – Used for elegant, dark gemstone jewelry.

Historical Significance:

• The famous Black Prince’s Ruby in the British Crown Jewels is actually a red spinel.
• Spinel has been historically sourced from Sri Lanka, Myanmar (Burma), and Afghanistan.

Spinel is an excellent alternative to ruby and sapphire for those looking for a beautiful yet unique gemstone. Would you like information on buying or caring for spinel jewelry.