Spinel

Spinel is a transparent, hard mineral found in red, pink, blue, violet and black. For centuries it was mistaken for ruby: some “rubies” in European crown jewels are in fact spinels.

Properties #

• Composition: magnesium aluminum oxide.
• Hardness: 8 on the Mohs scale.
• Color: red, pink, blue, violet, black; intense red and pink are the most sought after.
• Origins: Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan and Vietnam, among others.
• Treatments: almost never treated; synthetic spinel exists.

Uses in jewelry #

• Everyday rings, earrings and pendants.
• A more affordable alternative to ruby and sapphire.
• August birthstone on the modern list.

Pros and cons #

Advantages #

• Very hard and brilliant.
• Intense colors without treatments.
• Cheaper than a ruby of similar quality.

Limitations #

• Little known, so it can be hard to find.
• Large stones of pure color are expensive.
• Can be mistaken for synthetic ruby without a certificate.

Care and cleaning #

• Clean with lukewarm water, mild soap and a soft brush.
• Tolerates ultrasonic cleaning if well set.
• Store it apart so it does not rub other stones.

See also #

• Gemstones in jewelry
• Ruby
• Sapphire