Spinel
Misrecognized Royal Gems
📜 History and Stories
Prior to the birth of modern gemmology, spinel, especially red spinel, had been mistaken for ruby for centuries. It played an important role in many European royal jewels, but persisted under the name of ruby.
The most famous example is the 170-carat Black Prince's Ruby set in the British Imperial Crown, which is actually a huge, uncut red spinel.
🌍 Major Origin Distribution
There is a relative concentration of top quality spinels. Mogok in Burma is the source of the legendary red and pink spinels. Other important sources include Tanzania, Tajikistan (for large red spinels) and Vietnam (for vivid blue spinels).
📍 Discover a legendary property: Mugu, Myanmar🔬 Gemological Properties
| characterization | descriptive |
|---|---|
| Chemical composition | Magnesium-aluminum oxide `(MgAl₂O₄)` |
| crystal system | Equiaxial crystal system (cubic crystal system) |
| Mohs hardness | 8 |
| index of refraction | 1.712 - 1.762 (usually 1.718) |
| characterization | Monorefractive, which gives it pure color and high intensity fire. |
Spinel vs.
💰 Different quality grades and values
The heart of spinel's value lies in its color. Unlike many gemstones, spinel usually requires no heat treatment, and its naturally beautiful color is part of its charm.
1. Color
The most important factor. Energetic reds, cobalt blues and bright pinks are the most valuable.
2. Clarity
A good quality spinel usually has very few inclusions, and a clean eye is the basic requirement.
3. Cut
A fine cut fully expresses its exceptional brightness and fire.
4. Carat
High quality large carat spinels are extremely rare and highly valued.
Different Colors of the Value Ladder
Spinel comes in a wide range of colors and values. Neon red-pink spinel, known as the "Jedi Knight", and vivid blue spinel, colored by cobalt, are the most sought-after varieties on the market.
💖 Symbolism
🗓️
August Birthstone
Spinel is one of the birthstones of the month of August and shares this honor with peridot.
💝
22nd Wedding Anniversary Stone
It represents dedication and long-lasting love, and is a commemorative gemstone for the 22nd wedding anniversary.
Vitality and Hope
It is believed to energize the wearer, dispel negativity and inspire hope.
🛡️ Care and Wear
With a hardness of 8, spinel is very strong and durable, suitable for almost all types of jewelry and easy to care for.
✅
Daily Wear
Stiff and great for everyday wear.
🔊
Ultrasonic cleaning
Usually safe for ultrasonic and steam cleaning.
💎
Avoid hard contact.
Still need to avoid scratching with hard objects such as diamonds.
🧼
Gentle and clean
Standard jewelry cleaning methods are available.
👑 royal and celebrity favorite
Black Prince Ruby
This massive 170-carat red spinel is one of the centerpieces of the British Imperial Crown, bearing witness to centuries of British history, including the famous Battle of Agincourt.
Timur Ruby
Another one from the British Royal Jewelry Collection, weighing over 350 carats, bears the names of several Mughal emperors. It is also a huge red spinel, not a ruby.