The Splendid Spinel: A Deep Dive into Its History, Qualities and Uses

In the world of gemstones, the spinel is a hidden treasure. Often mistaken for other gems due to its diverse colour palette, spinel has a captivating history, striking qualities, and numerous uses that make it a gemstone worth celebrating. In this blog, we'll uncover the allure of the spinel and why it deserves a prominent spot in your gemstone collection.

The History of Spinel

Spinel is often called the "great imposter" of the gemstone world because it has been mistaken for other, more valuable gems throughout history. Its wide colour range, combined with its sparkle, led it to be mistaken for rubies or sapphires in many of the world's most famous jewels.

For instance, the 'Black Prince’s Ruby' and the 'Timur Ruby,' both prominent features in the British Crown Jewels, were discovered to be spinels. These 'imposter' gems, originally mined from the historic Kuh-i-Lal mines in the mountains of Tajikistan, were often presented to royals as rubies and held a significant place in royal adornments.

Despite its historical mix-up with other gemstones, spinel has been recognized as a distinct gemstone since the 18th century and has since then carved out its own place in the gem world.

Qualities of Spinel

Spinel is a durable gemstone, ranking an 8 on the Mohs hardness scale, making it suitable for all types of jewellery. It forms as cubic crystals like diamonds, and this crystalline structure allows it to be cut into a variety of shapes, from rounds, cushions, and ovals to more elaborate designer cuts.

One of the standout qualities of spinel is its colour range. It is found in an array of beautiful colours, including deep red, vibrant pink, orange, purple, blue, and bluish green. The most desired is the hot pink or red spinel, which was often mistaken for ruby. The more recently discovered blue spinels from Sri Lanka and Vietnam have also gained popularity.

Spinel also exhibits excellent brilliance and sparkle due to its high refractive index, and some spinels also showcase a stunning optical phenomenon known as asterism, or the star effect.

Uses of Spinel

Today, the primary use of spinel is in jewellery. Its durability, combined with its brilliance and array of colours, makes it a favourite amongst gem enthusiasts and jewellers. Whether set in rings, earrings, necklaces, or bracelets, spinel makes a dazzling statement.

Notably, spinel is also the official birthstone for August, along with peridot, offering an alternative for those who prefer its vibrant colour range.

Apart from adornment, spinel is often used for metaphysical purposes. It's believed to rejuvenate and revitalize, helping to alleviate stress, anxiety, and depression. The red spinel is associated with vitality and strength, while the blue spinel is believed to offer calming and soothing energies.

Spinel is truly a hidden gem in the world of gemstones. With its vibrant hues, remarkable durability, and intriguing history, it's a gemstone that can add sparkle and diversity to any collection. Whether you're seeking a distinctive piece of jewellery, an alternative birthstone for August, or a gemstone with an enchanting past, spinel fits the bill. It’s certainly time for this ‘great imposter’ to take its rightful place in the limelight.

If you're reading this blog in August, you're in luck!

During the whole of August you can get 20% off Spinel and Peridot using code: AUGUST20

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Until next time jewellery makers!

-JM