What Is Spinel? A Quick Guide to the Gemstone

While spinel may not be as popular as similarly colored gemstones like garnets and rubies, it is growing in popularity. In fact, spinel is now considered an August birthstone.

So, is a spinel ring or other piece of spinel jewelry a good pick for your collection? Here’s everything you need to know about the gemstone’s origins and history, its benefits and drawbacks, and how to care for your spinel jewelry.

What Is a Spinel Gemstone?

So, what is spinel stone? The answer isn’t totally straightforward. Among the rainbow of gemstones, spinel has historically been mistaken countless times for similar options like rubies and sapphires. Red spinel gemstones were mined and treasured for centuries, with many believing they were, in fact, rubies. That’s before mineralogist Jean Baptiste Louis Rome de Lisle found that spinel gemstones are completely their own gemstone.

Natural spinel can be found all around the world, in countries such as Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Thailand, and Afghanistan. Spinel ranks an 8 on the Mohs hardness scale, compared to rubies’ ranking of 9 and diamonds’ ranking of 10. It’s a durable gemstone that can stand up to daily wear, but it’s not the most durable gemstone.

Spinel comes in a vast array of colors, though bright red spinel or ruby spinel is what most people imagine when they think of this gem. It’s possible to find blue spinel, pink spinels, black spinel, and purple spinel, among other options. The stone gets its color from varying amounts of minerals present inside. For example, a higher amount of chromium will produce a redder stone. If there’s more iron, you’ll get orange and purple varieties, and with cobalt, you’ll get a blue hue.

Famous Spinels from History

While you may be able to rattle off a fair number of famous diamonds, the most famous spinels may be unfamiliar to most people. Yet, throughout history, royalty and dignitaries have displayed prized spinels, according to the International Gem Society … even if, technically, the collectors thought they had rubies on their hands.

In early times, when spinels were still misclassified as rubies, some of the biggest and best specimens were known as Balas rubies, sourced from Asia and Afghanistan. Among the biggest and most well-known spinel gemstones are:

• The Black Prince’s Ruby, currently included in the British crown jewels; it was originally gifted to Edward, the Black Prince of Wales, in the 14^th century.
• The Timur Ruby, also part of the British crown jewels and weighing 350 carats.
• The Samarian Spinel, the largest in the world, weighing 500 carats.

In the early 2000s, gemologists discovered what became known as Jedi spinels. These bright red-pink stones have an almost neon-like glow and were named as such because they possess no dark tones. In other words, they’re the complete opposite of “the dark side” — much like a Jedi from the Star Wars universe.

What Are Spinels’ Quality Factors?

When determining the value and cost of faceted spinels, experts consider several key factors, including the gemstone’s color, clarity, cut, and carat weight.

1. Color

The most expensive spinel gemstones feature the brightest colors. The bright red spinel rubies hue is particularly valuable, as are bright blue, pink, and orange spinels. If you want a spinel that’s on the more affordable side, opt for a pastel-hued stone.

2. Clarity

As with many gemstones, the fewer the inclusions in spinel, the better. The more inclusions visible within the stone, the lower the quality and, therefore, the price.

3. Cut

When considering a gemstone’s value, gemologists look for a cut that will make it shine and sparkle the brightest. The best cuts to achieve this effect with spinel are cushion and oval.

4. Carat weight

Of course, the size of any gemstone will impact its value and cost. Most spinels on the market are under five carats in size.

Attributes of Synthetic Spinel

Is spinel a gem that’s sometimes made in a lab, like diamonds? Yes!

A key difference, however, is that synthetic pieces don’t hold the same value as natural spinel. Instead, synthetic spinel is used in more inexpensive pieces and may be sold as a “fake” version of other gemstones, including:

• Aquamarine beryl
• Emerald
• Tourmaline

Synthetic spinel may also be used in industrial settings due to its strength and durability.

Spinel Care and Maintenance Needs

As with other precious gemstones, your best option for taking care of spinel jewelry is to take it to a professional. Since spinel is relatively durable, some may clean spinel jewelry with an ultrasonic or steam cleaner. But you may want to avoid at-home steam and ultrasonic cleaners as they can still be harsh. Instead, simply use warm water and mild dish soap to remove debris or build-up on the stone. Then, wipe the jewelry dry with a clean cloth.

It is most important not to expose your spinel jewelry to high temperatures, as this can negatively affect the stone’s color.

Should You Buy Spinel Jewelry?

Is a piece of spinel jewelry right for you? Consider the pros and cons before shopping.

Spinel pros

• Very durable, ranking an 8 on the Mohs scale
• Comes in a range of unique colors
• More affordable than similar gemstones
• Steadily increasing prices make it a good investment

Spinel cons

• Current market value is lower than what you might find with other gemstones
• Spinels that possess high clarity are rare
• Spinel jewelry can sometimes be challenging to find, as the stone isn’t as popular as diamonds or rubies

Spinel Gemstone FAQs

What Is a Spinel Stone?

Spinel is a fairly durable gemstone mined most extensively throughout Asia that was historically mistaken for rubies. Spinels are growing in popularity and are currently more affordable than similar stones such as rubies and sapphires. They come in an array of colors, from red to orange and yellow spinels to dark green to blue and purple spinels.

Is Spinel Rarer Than a Diamond?

Yes! However, this isn’t because spinel is exceptionally rare but because diamonds are exceptionally common. The rarity of diamonds is more of a marketing-based myth than reality.

Is Spinel a Real Gemstone?

While sometimes accused of being a mere ruby copycat, spinels are very real gemstones in a category all on their own.

Are Spinels Cheap?

Spinels are less expensive than rubies and other expensive precious stones. However, spinel prices are rising as demand rises for the stone, especially as it becomes a popular ruby alternative.

Can You Wear Spinel Jewelry Every Day?

Yes, thanks to the durability of a spinel gem, you can easily wear it every day. Your spinel jewelry should remain beautiful for years with the proper care and maintenance.

Protect Spinel Jewelry (and More!) with Comprehensive Jewelry Insurance

Whatever jewelry you purchase, from spinels to rubies to diamonds, specialized jewelry insurance can keep your collection safe in the case of loss, theft, or accidental damage.

BriteCo offers comprehensive insurance policies that cover everything, regardless of what life throws at you (or your jewelry). Learn more and get a quick and easy quote today.

Related Articles:

What Is a Chalcedony Stone?
What is Morganite?
What is a zircon gemstone?
What Is a Moldavite Stone?
What Is Malachite?

Appraisal Tool:

The Easiest Way to Get a Professional Jewelry Appraisal Valuation!

GET AN APPRAISAL NOW →