Facts About Spinel Gemstones
If you are not familiar with spinel gemstones, you are not alone. When I first started hand making jewelry, I too was unfamiliar with spinel gemstones. Through researching and satisfying my curiosity, I discovered some interesting facts about the spinel gemstone. The more I started learning and exploring the array of colorful spinel gems, I was hooked. Not before long, I started using the durable stones in my one-of-a-kind MONOLISA Ring Collection.
This month I am sharing with readers the history behind the stone, its meaning, how it forms, the beautiful gem color options, and some interesting gemstone facts. Let's take a look at this cool gemstone.
Where Was the First Spinel Gemstone Found?
Spinel gemstones date back to around 100 B.C., found in Buddhist tombs in Kabul, Afghanistan.
How Is a Spinel Gemstone Formed?
A spinel gemstone forms when impure limestone is altered by pressure and heat. Spinel is a magnesium aluminum oxide.
What Are the Color Options of a Spinel?
Spinels are allochromatic gemstones. Their color comes from the presence of trace elements acting as chromophores—an atom or group whose presence is responsible for the color of a compound. The spinel gemstone is well known for its red hue. However, spinels come in a variety of strong to deep color shades, including blue, brown, black, green, lavender, red, and violet. Although there are colorless spinel gems, they are extremely rare. Some spinels can have a cat's eye or star stone effect.
What Is the Meaning of a Spinel Gemstone?
According to legend, spinel clarifies thoughts, stimulates creativity, and emits a protective energy that connects its wearer to the center of the earth. Spinel gets its name from its spiky crystal structure, from the Latin “spina,” meaning thorn.
What Is the Largest Spinel in the World?
The largest known spinel gemstone is the Samarian Spinel. This gemstone beauty weighs 500 carats.
Where Do Spinel Gemstones Come From?
The majority of spinel gemstones are found in Myanmar and Sri Lanka. Spinels are also mined in Tanzania and Tajikistan.
Is a Spinel a Precious Gemstone?
No, a spinel gemstone is not classified as a precious gemstone. The only precious gemstones are diamond, ruby, sapphire, and emerald.
What Birthstone Month Is Spinel?
Spinel is one of the modern birthstones for the month of August.
How Strong Is a Spinel?
Spinels are known for their resistance to scratches. A spinel is considered a strong gemstone and is an 8 on the Mohs scale. The Mohs Scale measures the hardness of various minerals from 1 through 10—one being the softest and ten the hardest.
What Is the Price Range of Spinel Gemstones?
How much a spinel costs depends on the quality, carat size, and color of the stone. Spinels can range from approximately $300 to $3,000 per carat. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) classifies spinels as Type II clarity gemstones, meaning they are usually included. Spinels are rarer than diamonds, and finding stones beyond a 5-carat size is rare.
Spinel gemstones offer a beautiful, durable, and colorful option for fine jewelry design.
This blog article is written by California Jewelry Designer Lisa Ramos, who is a member of the International Gem Society (IGS), Society of North American Goldsmiths (SNAG), and the Argentium Silver Guild.
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