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     Welcome my gem enthusiasts, If you are new comers to this sparkling world of gem, I am pretty sure you have already heard about Diamonds, Rubies, Sapphires and Emeralds. But have you come across the Spinel. Still a undervalued true splendid beauty and hidden among red rubies thourgh out the history.In this post, I will cover interesting topics such as how spinels are found and what are their formation shapes, rare colors and more. Lets get started.

What Exactly Is Spinel?

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     Simple, spinel is mineral like sapphires discovered around the world for centuries, formed beneath the surface under intense of heat at pressure. Major chemical in a spinel is Magnesium Aluminum oxide (MgAl₂O₄ ) and it has a Cubic Crystal system. Which means when you find a perfect spinel crystal, it may look like two pyramids stuck together. Also they are found in same mines alongside rubies and other sapphires. That is why most of time it mixed up with sapphires.

      In ancient times, when there was no advanced gem testing methods, spinels identified as sapphires. Specially red spinel was mistakenly identified as Red ruby. (Read out previous blog how they have confused kings as rubies) Ancient traders introduced spinels from Sri Lanka and Myanmar  to Europe and western worlds. And they were sold as sapphires.

    The work of spinel comes from the latin word “Spinella” which means little thron.That name assigned for spinels because of its pointy crystals.

Why everybody loves Spinels

       One of the most fascinated thing about spinel is its variety of hues like paint box from heaven. The most prized color is vivid red which is caused by chromium, the same color element makes ruby red. But you can find spinels in Blue, Lavender, pink, white, green, orange and even in black. Also I have seen so many spinel with star asterism. Cobalt blue is one of another highly prized variety of spinel.

      Spinel has 1.71 to 1.73 refractive index, which gives spinel a brilliant sparkle look like diamonds. Also it stays in 8 score in Mohs hardness scale and that’s why it is a solid option for jewelries. 

       Precisely, the impurities lead to the colour of spinels by absorbing and reflecting light. it has a reflective index (measure of how much it bends light) around 1.71 to 1.73 that gives it an excellent sparkle almost like a diamond. Spinel is scores a solid 8 in the Mohs hardness scale which rates gems from 1 (soft like talc) to 10 (diamond-tough, making it durable enough for everyday wear, like in pendants,  rings, earrings etc. so it won’t get scratches.

     If you are a beginner in the gem industry it’s better to start with a blue or red spinel as it’s striking and versatile. The prices differ but a good quality 1 carat spinel cost around $500 to $5,000, depending on color or clarity which is less than an equivalent ruby.

Where does Spinels come from?

       Spinals are normally found in coluntries like Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Vietnam and even Afghanistan. In Myanmar the mogok valley is well known for making the finest “pigeon’s blood” red spinels, A ruby-inspired crimson, deep and luminous.

      Spinel mining can be a challenging task, with stones usually taken from river sediments or hand-dug channels by small and medium size miners. In the recent years ethical sourcing has been valued everywhere, buyers are encouraged to choose gems certified by bodies such as the Responsible Jewellery Council, which helps ensure they are conflict-free.

Practical Details of Spinel: The brainy Side.

     So first of all without overwhelming you, let’s get into bit more details about spinels. Spinel has a precise gravity of about 3.6 which means its denser than many other gemstones. For example if you pick one up, it would fell substantial. You might also spot inclusions tiny crystals or fluid-filled cracks which are called “fingerprints” that helps to identify the gem.

     Gemologists differentiate spinel from similar stones using apparatuses such as refract meters to measure refractive index and spectroscopes to analyze absorption patterns. For example, Red spinel is marked by strong chromium lines but generally lacks the UV fluorescence seen in certain rubies. When you are buying it’s more convenient to ask for a lab report from places like GIA to verify its authenticity.

Maintenance for Your Spinel

     Spinel works exquisitely across all types of jewelry, from necklaces to bracelets to rings and beyond. It’s also very suitable for engagement rings due to its hardness and also its uniqueness. While pairing red spinel with diamonds feels old-style and blue spinel in white gold feels definitely contemporary.

    Maintaining a spinel gemstone is not very complicated or hard. Avoid using harsh chemicals to clean, only you  need to clean it with lukewarm water and little bit of soap with a soft brush. That helps you to keep the gemstones authenticity. And also store it separately to prevent cuts from solider gems like sapphires or diamonds.

Spinel is perfect for beginners. Here is the reason

     Spinel is a perfect pick if you are just starting your gem journey, as it is beautiful, durable and affordable. Like the laid-back friend of the gem family with plenty of stories to tell to begin your journey. Whether you are buying your very first gem or searching a gemstone for a custom jewelry design, spinel will be a fantastic opportunity with no doubt.