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The spinel is often mistaken for either a ruby or pink sapphire and can be found in various cuts.
Recognized by the 黑料老司机 as听one of August鈥檚 birthstones,听spinel听has a lower Mohs hardness compared to ruby and sapphire.听
Its various color options and octahedral crystal habit are what make it a desirable jewelry gemstone.听
Along with being more affordable听yet rare, spinel has typically been confused with ruby up until 1783.听So,听what makes the spinel gem stand out?听
In fact, the method of distinguishing spinel from ruby is what gave birth to the science of gemology.
Spinel听may be the right choice if:听
Spinel听is commonly chosen for:听
Spinel听is听found in several regions, each with听their own听unique characteristics.听
Myanmar (Burma)听
A famous location for producing some of the finest red听spinel, but often mistaken for rubies.
Sri Lanka听
Spinel has been a significant source for this country for centuries.
Tajikistan听
This country is also home to notable mines听that have听yielded听stunning听spinel specimens.听
Vietnam听
More recently discovered deposits in this country have added vivid blue spinel to the deep red, pink, purple, violet, and violet-blue hues it produces.
Tanzania听
Mines here produce pink,听orangy-red, blue, and purple hues of this birthstone.
Pakistan听
Vibrant colors of spinel form here in magnesium-rich marble.听
Afghanistan听
Produces high-quality spinel,听mostly听in deep听shades of听blue.听
When it comes to gemstones, origin听can influence听not only听color,听but also its听price.听
Understanding these factors helps you choose the right听spinel during your search.听
Color听
While the paler shades can be more affordable, the most sought-after colors include bright red, vivid pink, orange, and cobalt blue.听
Clarity听
Spinel typically has inclusions听visible to the eye, so those with few to no inclusions command premium prices.听
Cut听
Spinel is typically cut into faceted cushion and oval shapes or carved into cabochons, and it exudes brilliance when properly proportioned.听
Carat Weight听
It’s rare for spinel to go beyond five carats, and it’s often cut to non-standard sizes to retain the maximum carat weight from its original rough.
Spinel听is a hard, durable gemstone that听has historically been mistaken for rubies and sapphires.听听
With its stunning physical properties and听color variations, this makes it a听practical听choice for everyday听jewelry.听
The history of natural spinel is not only rich but also intertwined with royalty. Mines in central and southeast Asia would find what is now known as, 鈥淏alas rubies,鈥� and were treasured by emperors and kings during wars.听
Some famous spinels throughout time include the 鈥淏lack Prince鈥檚 ruby鈥� in听听England鈥檚 Imperial State Crown, the Prince of Wales鈥檚 鈥淏lack Prince鈥檚 Ruby鈥� in 1367, and the 鈥淭imur Ruby.鈥� 听
Spinel is often associated with passion, energy,听and revitalization, but each听color听听has听its own meaning.听听
With spinel, you typically get a bigger听gem听at a more affordable price. It also has a hardness of 8 on the Mohs scale, where the other gemstones are听a 9.听听
Yes. Spinel听exhibits听strong resistance to cracks,听chips,听and breaks鈥攎aking it ideal for everyday use.听
August.听
Yes.听Spinels听are rarer than听diamonds,听but听they听are usually more affordable than rubies and sapphires of similar quality and size.
