Spinel

Spinel Gemstone

Spinel is considered a noble mineral with the richest palette of colors. Its chemical composition is similar to rubies and sapphires. This colored stone is regarded as a rare mineral. Because of this, the high-quality samples are valued very high, up to several thousand dollars per carat. Experts note the deficit of gem-quality spinel on the world market.

Spinel price and colors

The market price of spinel gems is influenced by the coloring of crystals, in particular their richness, as well as their purity and origin. The price of different color varieties varies a lot.

• Red spinel belongs to the higher price category. First-class samples from these regions cost thousands of dollars per carat. The presence of additional color shades (orange, purple or burgundy) makes the price of red spinel cheaper.
• A pink-colored spinel is also quite expensive. The market price of red and pink colored stones is constantly increasing. Prices from $300 to $3000 per carat, with vibrant, intense pinks being the most expensive.
• Light-Blue or blue-colored minerals are considered one of the rarest. On the jewelry market, they are usually called "cobalt spinel," since the color scheme is defined by the presence of cobalt. Prices for blue spinels can range from $500 to $3000 per carat, with deep, rich blues being the most expensive.
• There are also examples of stones with purple and lavender hues. The more saturated minerals look the most attractive and expensive. They are characterized by the appearance of dispersion, which favors the beauty of the stone.

History of Spinel gem

Jewelry makers have been using spinel since time immemorial. Earlier, its transparent red crystals were mistakenly referred to rubies. The records of the traveler Marco Polo remain that the pink spinel from Badakhshan is called "bala ruby. The Europeans called this mineral "balas", naming it according to the ancient name of Badakhshan. The French transformed the name "rubies balas" into "rubies bale", and since the beginning of the 20th century, they began referring to these stones as "bale spinel".

At all times, the multi-colored spinel crystals were reckoned among the most expensive gems. The royal regalia were adorned with these minerals, thus counting spinel among the symbols of power. It is known that noble claret-colored stones used to decorate the crowns of the emperors of the Russian and German Empires, as well as of the kings of Great Britain and France. Spinel was prominent on the "Cap of Monomakh," which was used for the coronation of Russian princes. In the 18th century, a unique spinel crystal weighing 398.72 carats, taken from the Monomakh's Cap, was placed at the crown of the crown for the Russian Empress Catherine II. The Eastern rulers, who had countless riches, loved to decorate their thrones with spinels. It is interesting that modern ways of diagnosing the gems have allowed us to find out that some of the most famous rubies in the world are in fact crystals of noble spinel. This is the case with the British Treasury's "Timur Ruby," weighing 361 carats, and the "Black Prince Ruby," weighing 170 carats.

Treatment

Natural spinel is not subject to enhancement due to the unique properties of these stones. However, some methods of growing synthetic crystals have been worked out. That is why we often come across synthetic spinel specimens on sale that are difficult to distinguish from real minerals of natural origin by standard diagnostic methods. When buying an expensive spinel, you should make sure you have an expert opinion issued by an independent gemological laboratory. The absence of beneficiation makes the spinel stand out among other gemstones.

Deposits

Spinel is a mineral that can be found in various types of rock formations and deposits around the world. Some of the most notable deposits of spinel include:

1. Sri Lanka
2. Myanmar (Burma)
3. Tanzania
4. Afghanistan
5. Madagascar
6. Vietnam
7. Pakistan
8. Russia

Jewelry

On the showcases of jewelry stores, there is practically no jewelry piece featuring a noble spinel. The rarity of natural minerals makes the masters to make one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry only to order. Experts of many world-known jewelry brands create exclusive pieces of spinel jewelry of different colors, which are a highlight of their collections.