Often described as 'the great imposter' for its staggering likeness to ruby in its red varieties, for me it was the enchanting blue/grey hues that stopped me in my tracks and stole my heart.
Mineral: Spinel
Hardness: 8
Birthstone: August
Anniversaries: 22nd
Where do Spinels come from?
Spinels are found on every continent, even Antarctica. However, the traditional sources of gem-quality spinels are Afghanistan, Myanmar (Burma), and Sri Lanka. They are also found in gravel beds in Tanzania and Madagascar, and marble deposits in Vietnam.
Hardness
Spinel is around 8/10 on the Mohs hardness scale; It's a tough gemstone with good resistance to knocks and scratches. Spinels also have a high refractive index, which means a well-cut gem will have excellent brilliance regardless of the colour.
The Great Imposter
Spinel has been confused with sapphire and ruby for more than a millennium. Perhaps the world's most famous gemstone, the Black Prince’s Ruby set in the British crown jewels dates back to 1366 AD. However, it's not a ruby; it's actually an enormous 170ct red spinel.
Myths & Legends
Since spinel is a newly recognised gem there’s not as much folklore and legend surrounding its powers. It has however, been associated with sorcerers and alchemists and there's reference to its use to protect the wearer from fire. Spinel also contains a magnetic mineral Magnetite, which is believed to have been used by ancient mariners to help with navigation.
Colour
Historically, red spinels are the most celebrated. However, spinels can range from strong, deep colours to very light pastels and come in hues of pink, lavender, red, orange, purple, blue, and even black. Colourless spinels are very rare and you don't really get pure green or yellow stones.
Any questions about Spinels?
