Drawn illustration, not a photograph
Spinel
Spinel
Long mistaken for ruby; several famous “rubies” in royal collections are spinels. Today it is valued in its own right for bright colour and rarely being treated.
- Mineral
- Magnesium aluminium oxide
- Colour from
- Chromium (red, pink), iron and cobalt (blue)
- Hardness
- 8 on the Mohs scale
- Known sources
- Myanmar, Tanzania, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Tajikistan
What to look for
- Vivid, saturated colour; cobalt blue and hot pink are prized
- A clean face
- Usually untreated, which should be confirmed
CareDurable. Clean with warm, soapy water.
General guidance about the stone. Each actual stone is described individually, with its own photographs and any laboratory report, when you enquire.
Spinel, to wear.
Ask whether a ring, pendant, stud earrings or a bracelet with spinel is available, in gold, platinum or silver.