SPINEL

SPINEL

Spinel: The King's stone

"Spinel: the gem that has often masqueraded as ruby, only to reveal a unique allure all its own." 


Spinel is a rare gemstone known as the "King's Stone." It has been prized since ancient times and was often mistaken for rubies by monarchs. It adorned the imperial crowns of Britain, Germany, Russia, and France, as well as the thrones of Eastern rulers. Indeed, it is almost impossible to visually distinguish red spinel from ruby, and the difference can only be detected through careful analysis. This is why, during the examination of antique jewelry, royal crowns, and adornments, it was discovered that they contained spinels instead of rubies. 


The original name of the mineral "spinel" might derive either from the Latin word "spinella," which translates to "thorn" (referring to the unique shape of spinel crystals), or from the Greek word "spinos," meaning "spark" (due to the ability of spinel to glow in the dark).

The color range of spinel is very diverse, including blue, pink, violet, orange-red, green, lavender, black, etc. Bright red specimens are called ruby spinel, while blue crystals are known as sapphire spinel. There are also specimens with an alexandrite effect, which change color depending on the lighting.

The characteristics that allow the stone to compete with rubies and sapphires in terms of beauty and value include vivid colors, strong luster, and rarity. However, it should be noted that there are synthetic analogs. If a crystal appears perfect, this should raise suspicion. In natural stones, tiny inclusions and imperfections are almost always visible. Low cost can also indicate that it is likely a fake. Therefore, if there are doubts that a stone of rich, bright color might be synthetic, it is better to certify it in an independent gemological laboratory.
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Origin of Natural Gemstones

Only a few deposits in the world can boast of producing gem-quality spinel. It is interesting to note that spinel is often found in the same locations as rubies, which historically led to even greater confusion in distinguishing between these two stones.
 

The finest specimens of red spinel are mined in Myanmar and Tanzania, with Tanzania being the absolute leader in the extraction of this unique stone, where the largest and brightest nuggets are found. In recent years, significant deposits have also been discovered in Sri Lanka and Vietnam, increasing the availability of this precious gem on the global market. It is worth noting that in addition to red spinel, other color variations, such as blue and pink spinel, are also gaining popularity among jewelers and collectors, further increasing the overall demand for this mineral.

Spinel from Burma, especially from the Mogok region, is renowned for its rich color and high transparency. Burmese spinel often exhibits deep red, pink, or bluish hues and contains few inclusions. The mining of spinel in the country is highly restricted, making these stones rare and highly sought after in the market. Overall, Burmese spinel is considered a benchmark of quality and beauty, and its unique characteristics make it extremely popular in the jewelry world.

Spinel belongs to the cubic crystal system and usually forms in the octahedral habit

Spinel from Sri Lanka, especially from the Ratnapura region, is known for its variety of color shades, including pink, red, blue, lavender, purple, and even colorless. Large-sized crystals are frequently found, allowing for the cutting of stones ideal for use in various jewelry pieces.

Sri Lankan colour variety

In Tanzania, at the Mahenge deposit, truly unique bright pink spinels are mined. The distinctive color is a hallmark of the nuggets from this region.

Spinel from Tanzania is often sold under the names "Neon pink," "vivid pink," and "hot pink." These large stones captivate everyone, as they represent the pinnacle of quality and beauty in spinels.

Red Spinel Mahenge
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Price of spinel

The value of spinel mostly depends on the type of spinel you're referring to. For example, pure, colorless spinel is one of the rarest types, making it highly valuable due to its scarcity. This is because spinel is rarely found without encountering elements and impurities that give it color.
 

The most valuable colors of spinel are bright red and cobalt blue, which allowed spinel to be mixed with ruby and sapphire. The value of colors in descending order can be listed as follows: red and pink, purple or violet shades, some blue colors.
The price of spinel stones largely depends on their variety, color, and quality. Fine blue spinels range from $78 to $1,250 per carat, while fine red spinels can cost $200 to $2,000 per carat. Fine purple spinels average around $350 per carat, while other colors range from $11 to $100 per carat. Star spinels average about $200 per carat.
 
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Spinel as the investment. Potential

Spinel is an attractive choice for diversifying an existing investment portfolio. It is still much cheaper than ruby, but we predict that it has great potential to catch up with it in the future. Clean, transparent stones weighing over 10 carats are suitable for investments.

When buying spinel, it is important to ensure that the gemstone is of the highest quality. The color should be as pure and vivid as possible and should not be subsequently enhanced. As with all gemstones, untreated specimens of natural color are particularly valuable. The authenticity and quality of gemstones can be confirmed by a certificate from an independent gemological laboratory.

We anticipate that spinel will sharply increase in price over the next few years, making it a worthwhile investment. 
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Synthetic spinel

The flame fusion process, also known as the Verneuil process, is the most common and cost-effective method for synthesizing corundum (ruby and sapphire) and spinel. In this process, powdered chemicals that form the gem are fed through a high-temperature flame. The molten material then falls onto a rotating pedestal, where it gradually builds up to form a synthetic crystal known as a boule. These synthetic crystals can later be cut and faceted into gemstones. Synthetic gems possess the same chemical, optical, and physical properties as their natural counterparts, but are a more affordable alternative.

Synthetic spinel

Despite the almost complete chemical and physical similarity between natural and synthetic spinel, the jewelry market remains categorical: synthetic gems decrease in price, while natural ones appreciate over time, all due to differences in origin.

Plamena recommends purchasing natural gemstones after all, as the feeling of owning a genuine treasure is very pleasant and valuable.

How to distinguish synthetic spinel?
There are a couple of simple tricks that can help determine the origin of the gem. Take a loupe and look deep into the spinel: a natural stone will be slightly cloudy and contain small particles of heterogeneous impurities. Laboratory specimens, on the other hand, are usually almost perfectly transparent, with only gas bubbles as impurities.
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Renown Spinel Colors

Vivid Red Spinel

Although red spinels are found in other parts of the world, such as Tanzania and Sri Lanka, they cannot compare to the pure red, "pigeon's blood" shades typical of the chromium-rich deposits of Mogok. A well-saturated medium-tone red spinel from Burma can compete in quality with the best Burmese rubies while remaining more affordable.

Jedi Spinel

The nickname "Jedi" was given to the neon bright pinkish-red spinels originally found only in Namya, Burma. Made famous by Vincent Pardieu of GIA Thailand, he named these brightly colored reddish pink spinels "Jedi" because they did not fall into the 'dark side' (dark tones). True Jedi spinels only come from Burma and are very hard to come by.

Hot Pink Spinel

A highly saturated pink spinel with a slight hint of red, though not as much as in a Jedi. This wonderfully fluorescent color will capture attention in any crowd. These spinels are found in many sources around the world, but most consistently from Mahenge, Tanzania.

Cobalt Spinel

To achieve cobalt spinel status, a gem must contain enough cobalt to exhibit a bright blue color, much like the cornflower blue found in blue sapphires. True cobalt spinels are very rare and are consistently found only in Vietnam and Sri Lanka. Most blue spinels contain iron or zinc, which gives them a darker tone.

Grey Spinel

Grey spinels have been setting trends for the past couple of years. Their unique color, not seen in other varieties of gemstones, seems to complement high jewelry. These spinels are found throughout the world, but most consistently in Burma and Sri Lanka.

Lavender Spinel

Another unique color to spinel, unlike any other gemstone if the saturation and tone are just right, is true lavender. This color differs from that of an amethyst, as it leans more towards blue hues. A redder variation, called lilac spinel, is equally attractive.
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Magical Properties 

Mystics believe that spinel draws energy directly from the cosmos. For this reason, the mineral is considered a powerful talisman against negative energy influences (such as curses and the evil eye).

One of the primary abilities of the stone is the power of foresight, which the mineral bestows upon its owner.
 

The Most Notable Magical Properties of Spinel:

 

  1. Positive Changes: If a person is disillusioned with life and lacks confidence, spinel can correct this. The mineral encourages its owner, instilling hope and positivity.
  2. Attracting Luck: The influence of the mineral is varied, ranging from a single stroke of luck to success in all endeavors.
  3. Wish Fulfillment: It is believed that the most cherished dreams of a spinel owner will come true. However, there is one caveat: the wish must be sincere and pure.
  4. "Love Magnet": The stone attracts romantic relationships. Under the influence of spinel, single women become more attractive and seductive. For men, the mineral adds charisma and self-confidence.
  5. Assistance to Travelers: When setting out on a journey, don’t forget about spinel. This stone will make the trip easier and protect against various troubles.
  6. Ideal Helper in Family Relationships: Spinel can strengthen families by bringing peace and mutual understanding. Couples feel a renewed sense of passion, and children become more obedient.
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Zodiac Signs

The element of spinel is Fire, so the mineral especially favors the fire signs of the zodiac:

 

Leo: The undeniable favorite of the stone. Spinel will enhance all the best traits of their character, making Leos wiser and more insightful. This mineral will give Leos a boost of energy and enthusiasm, making them more goal-oriented and enterprising. Leos will easily tackle any task and be destined for success.


Sagittarius: Ambitious Sagittarians often lack the energy to realize their desires. Spinel will provide them with an endless supply of energy and health. Under the mineral’s influence, Sagittarians will tire less and forget about laziness and procrastination. Often suffering from their natural trustfulness, this stone will make them more discerning and prudent.


Aries: Aries will receive a tremendous surge of physical and spiritual strength. They will feel a thirst for knowledge and a drive for self-development. Their energy will be noticed by the right people (bosses, partners), leading to positive changes in their lives.

 

To a lesser extent, the mineral also favors six other zodiac signs:

 

Taurus: Sensitive and in need of maintaining physical and emotional health, spinel will help them become calmer and more confident.


Gemini: Often suffer from their own temperament. Spinel jewelry can help calm their emotions, making them more insightful and reasonable.


Virgo: Can accumulate energy from spinel and use it when necessary, such as in stressful situations, during depression, or when making tough decisions.


Libra: Tend to doubt everything and struggle to make decisions. Spinel will give them confidence and decisiveness.
Capricorn: Often carry the heavy burden of bad memories and thoughts. The stone will help them adopt a more optimistic outlook on life.


Pisces: Characterized by frequent self-doubt and doubts about others. Spinel will give them confidence and the strength to achieve their desires.

 

Note: Spinel is a strong and willful stone. This means only morally strong individuals can handle the mineral and use its energy for their purposes. Weak personalities should wear spinel in moderation; otherwise, it might bring harm.
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Physical characteristics

The chemical formula of spinel is MgAl2O4. Mineral belongs to the class of oxides and is a mixed oxide of aluminum and magnesium. Its crystals are octahedral, occasionally dodecahedral in form. They can be either transparent or opaque, with the stone's light-transmitting abilities changing when the crystal lattice's aluminum and magnesium ions are substituted by ions of other metals.

  • Composition: magnesium and aluminum oxide
  • Luster: vitreous
  • Hardness 7.5-8
  • Crystal structure: cubic
  • Refractive index: 1.71–1.73
  • Dispersion: 0.02
  • Density: 3.6
  • Double refraction: none
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Features of stone care

Spinel has a good hardness of 7.5-8 on the Mohs scale. However, it may not withstand strong mechanical stress, so it is important to protect it from impacts and falls. When caring for jewelry with spinel, the following is recommended:

  • Remove jewelry before engaging in strenuous physical work or sports.
  • Store jewelry in a separate box with soft walls.
  • When doing household chores, it is advisable to remove the jewelry.
  • Avoid any contact of spinel with chemically aggressive substances.
  • Periodically, clean the stone gently with a weak soapy solution and a soft brush.

Regularly clean spinel from dirt – no less than 3-4 times a year. But under no circumstances should you use any chemical cleaning agents. It is enough to make a weak soapy water solution yourself. Dirt can be removed with a cloth or a toothbrush with soft bristles.

 

 

Spinel FAQS

Are spinel expensive?

Spinel is often more affordable than gemstones like diamonds or sapphires, yet its price varies depending on factors such as color, size, clarity, and origin. The most prized spinels are vibrant red ones, sometimes called "ruby-like" spinels, and cobalt blue spinels, both of which can fetch higher prices. Synthetic or lab-grown spinels are typically more affordable than their natural counterparts.

Can spinel change colour?

Spinel can sometimes appear to change color when viewed from different angles. However, this isn't actual color change; it's simply the way light interacts with the stone's structure and reflects off its surfaces.

Why is spinel so expensive?

Spinel prices can vary based on factors such as color, clarity, and size. Generally, spinel is more affordable than other precious gemstones like diamonds, rubies, or sapphires. However, certain spinel varieties with exceptional qualities, such as vivid red or blue colors, can command high prices due to their rarity and desirability.

What's the difference between ruby and spinel?

Ruby, a variety of corundum, is renowned for its deep red hue, symbolizing passion and vitality. It has a long history of being one of the most valuable gemstones, with prices reflecting its rarity and intense color. Spinel, on the other hand, comes in a variety of colors, including red, blue, pink, and more. While red spinel can sometimes resemble ruby, it is generally more affordable.

What is the birth month for spinel?

Spinel is an alternative birthstone for August. While peridot is the traditional choice, spinel has gained popularity due to its vibrant colors and increasing appreciation. Its variety of hues and growing recognition make it a wonderful option for those born in August.

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