Composed of Magnesium-Aluminum, the spinel is an often underappreciated and unrecognized gemstone. The spinel—through the presence of certain chemical combinations—can be colorless, red, blue, green, brown or black. Red spinels are often referred to as “Balas Rubies.”
In fact, spinels are often mistaken for rubies, sapphires, topaz or emeralds. The most famous case of mistaken-spinel-identity is the Black Prince’s Ruby—the centerpiece of the British Imperial State Crown. Not a ruby at all, this stone is a large, deep-red spinel weighing 170 carats.
 |
| The Black Prince's "Ruby," The Royal Collection |
Spinels can offer the same brilliance that other gems demonstrate while exhibiting a hardness not present in stones such as the emerald. Modern jewelers often use the term “spinel” to refer to a lab-created stone. You may recall picking out your High School class ring and noticing that the hunk of pep-rally glass was referred to as “spinel.” Don’t be fooled by this. If you’re purchasing a spinel, make sure that it’s the real thing.
Very popular in Victorian and Edwardian jewelry, the spinel is often dominant stone in many antique and vintage designs. Their beauty and their durability earns them the right to the same fame that their better-known siblings enjoy.
No comments:
Post a Comment