Hardeness 8

Origin Burma

Treatment None

The main factor preventing the spinel from achieving greater recognition is its rarity. Fine spinels are now rarer than the rubies they used to imitate. Strangely, they are also more affordable: in the gem world, being too rare can be a drawback because so few people even get a chance to develop a fondness for the varieties in question.In addition to beautiful rich reds, spinel can be found in a range of gorgeous pastel shades of pink and purple. Of particular interest is a vivid hot pink with a tinge of orange mined in Burma. It is one of the most spectacular gemstone colours seen in any species at all. Spinel also comes in beautiful blue tones called cobalt spinel, but these are very, very rare.

The transparent red spinels were called spinel-rubies or balas-rubies. In the past, before the arrival of modern science, spinels and rubies were equaly known as rubies. After the XVIII the word ruby was only used for the red gem variety of the mineral corundum and the word spinel became used.

In addition to Burma, spinel is mined in Sri Lanka, Tanzania, and Tadzhikistan, part of the former Soviet Union.

Spinel is a durable gemstone that is perfect for all jewellery uses. It is most often faceted in oval, round, or cushion shapes and is not currently found in calibrated sizes due to its rarity.

Type 1 Gemstones

The following gemstones are typically inclusion free, even minor inclusions detract from their value.

Diamond, Amethyst, Beryls(Aquamarine,Morganite), Citrine, Smoky Quartz, topaz, Chrysoberyl, Kunzite, Tanzanite, green Tourmaline, and Blue Zircon

IF Internally flawless under extreme magnification (Very rare)

F Flawless

VVS Minute inclusions under 10x; invisible to the unaided eye

VS Minor inclusions under 10x; usually invisible to the unaided eye

SI1 Noticeable inclusions under 10x; usually visible to the unaided eye

SI2 Noticeable inclusions under 10x; usually quite visible to the unaided eye

I1 prominent- moderate affect on appearance or durability

I2 prominent - severe affect on appearance or durability

I3 prominent- severe affect on beauty, transparency or durability

Type 2 Gemstones

Gemstones that normally have small inclusions that do not detract from value.

Alexandrite, Andalusite, Iolite, Peridot, Rhodolite, Ruby, Sapphire, Spinel, Tourmaline, Garnet, Amethyst, Red Zircon, Tsavorite; Blue, Orange, Purple, Fluorite.Yellow and Parti-colored Tourmaline

F Flawless

VVS Minor inclusions under 10x; usually invisible to the unaided eye

VS Noticeable inclusions under 10x; often invisible to the unaided eye

SI1 Obvious inclusions under 10x; visible to the unaided eye

SI2 Obvious inclusions under 10x; very apparent to the unaided eye

I1 prominent - moderate affect on appearance or durability

I2 prominent - severe affect on appearance or durability

I3 prominent - severe affect on beauty, transparency or durability