Spinel

Emerald-cut, pinkish purple spinel, 0.80 cts, Tanzania. © Dan Stair Custom Gemstones. Used with permission.

A blazing red, octahedron-shaped natural spinel in a calcite matrix, Mogok Valley, Mogok Township, Pyin-Oo-Lwin District, Mandalay Division,…

Custom ring with 3.60-ct spinel, pure red color, Myanmar (Burmese) stone. Photo © Seth Rosen. Used with permission.

Spinels come in a wide variety of colors, including red. Although rubies and spinels are now identified gemologically as two distinct gem species,…

Spinel is singly refractive. However, a synthetic spinel may show anomalous double refraction (ADR). Testing gemstone refraction with a polariscope…

Spinel has a hardness range of 7.5 to 8. These beautiful gems make excellent, durable jewelry stones in many colors. Prior to the 20th century, many…

“Spinel,” 1.05 cts, round brilliant cut, 6.98 mm, likely from Tanzania. © Dan Stair Custom Gemstones. Used with permission.

Melanite druzy and meteorite accompany a red spinel in this 14k gold ring. © Metamorphosis Jewelry Design. Used with permission.

Minerals with isometric crystal systems can occur with octahedral shapes, like this cranberry-red spinel from Luc Yen, Yenbai Province, Vietnam.…