Spinel
Spinel spent centuries misidentified as ruby, several famous crown rubies are spinel. It is singly refractive, brilliant, untreated and still under-priced relative to corundum, making it the connoisseur's value pick.
Spinel at a glance
- Mineral family
- Spinel
- Chemical formula
- MgAl2O4
- Mohs hardness
- 8
- Refractive index
- 1.718
- Specific gravity
- 3.60
- Crystal system
- Cubic
- Colours
- pink, red
- Birthstone month
- August
- Anniversary
- 22nd
- Typical treatment
- Almost always completely untreated, which is a significant part of its appeal to collectors.
- In stock now
- 1 stones from $748.50
What drives the price
Spinel spent centuries misidentified as ruby, several famous crown rubies are spinel. It is singly refractive, brilliant, untreated and still under-priced relative to corundum, making it the connoisseur's value pick.
In one line: Colour (hot pink and red highest), clarity, size, untreated status.
Treatment
Almost always completely untreated, which is a significant part of its appeal to collectors.
Any seller unwilling to state treatment in writing is telling you something. Every listing on this site states it.
Durability and daily wear
Durable and ultrasonic-safe. Warm soapy water.
Mohs 8, cubic crystal system, specific gravity 3.60.
Tradition and meaning
A stone of revitalisation and endurance, associated with renewed energy after depletion.
Birthstone for August. Associated with Leo. Anniversary stone: 22nd.
Frequently asked
Is spinel a real gemstone?
Very much so. Spinel is a distinct natural mineral, not a synthetic or a substitute. The confusion comes from historic misidentification, the Black Prince's Ruby in the British Imperial State Crown is in fact a spinel.
Why is spinel cheaper than ruby?
Purely market recognition. Spinel is rarer than ruby in fine qualities, is almost never treated, and is nearly as hard, but it lacks ruby's centuries of name recognition, which is exactly why collectors buy it.
Is spinel treated?
Rarely. The overwhelming majority of spinel on the market is entirely untreated, in sharp contrast to ruby and sapphire where heat treatment is near-universal.
