Spinel — an exquisite precious mineral, captivates with its rich palette of colors, ranging from fiery red and intense blue to delicate pink, violet, orange, deep black, and even colorless. Its exceptional beauty, brilliance, and hardness historically led to it often being mistaken for ruby or sapphire, a testament to its value in the world of gemstones.
The primary deposits of high-quality spinel are concentrated in Myanmar (Burma), Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Tanzania, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan. The mineral primarily forms in metamorphic rocks (marbles) and, less frequently, in igneous rocks, often occurring alongside corundum (ruby and sapphire).
Today, spinel is highly prized by collectors and jewelers for its natural beauty, durability (due to its high hardness), clarity, and diverse range of hues. Particularly rare and coveted are bright red ('ruby spinel'), cobalt blue, and intense pink specimens, which are sought after by connoisseurs.
Spinel — a stone with a rich history and exceptional gemological characteristics, making it a superb choice for creating unique jewelry pieces and a valuable addition to any mineral collection.
Physical properties
Chemical formula
MgAl₂O₄ (Magnesium aluminum oxide)
Hardness
8 on the Mohs scale
Crystal system
Cubic
Transparency
Transparent to opaque
Luster
Vitreous
Color
Red, pink, blue, violet, orange, yellow, brown, black, gray, green, colorless
Specific gravity
3.5 - 4.1 g/cm³
Jewelry with this mineral
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