Spinel Gemstone A Dazzling Alternative

Spinel Gemstone: A Dazzling Alternative to Traditional Precious Stones

Gemstones have long been admired for their beauty, rarity and symbolic meaning. Among the most popular are diamonds, emeralds, rubies and sapphires, which are collectively known as the "big four." However, there are several other gemstones that are equally stunning and valuable, one of which is the spinel.

Spinel is a mineral that comes in a range of colours, including red, pink, blue, purple and black. It has been used in jewellery for centuries, but it has often been mistaken for other gemstones, such as ruby and sapphire, due to their similar appearance. It wasn't until the late 18th century that spinel stone price was recognized as a distinct mineral species.

Characteristics and Properties of Spinel

Red spinel stone has a hardness of 8 on the Mohs scale, making it a durable and scratch-resistant gemstone. It also has a high refractive index, which means it has excellent brilliance and fire. In terms of its chemical composition, black spinel gemstone is an oxide mineral that is made up of magnesium, aluminium and oxygen.

The most famous spinel in history is the Black Prince's Ruby, which is actually a red spinel. It is set in the Imperial State Crown of England and has a weight of 170 carats. Other notable spinel august birthstone gemstones include the Samarian Spinel, which is a pinkish-red stone weighing 500 carats and the Timur Ruby, which is a red spinel weighing 352.5 carats.