Is spinel the same as ruby?
The two natural gems are generally found together in gem gravels, to the extent that spinel has been called “mother of ruby.” Many historic rubies were probably spinels; the Timur Ruby in the British crown jewels is such a stone. Spinel may be distinguished from ruby by its lesser hardness and lighter weight.
Is spinel more valuable than ruby?
Gem-quality red and blue spinels are very rare. They are much less abundant than rubies and sapphires of similar quality and color. Even with equivalent beauty and greater rarity, their prices are much lower than ruby and sapphire. The lower price is an example of how rarity has not set the price.
Is spinel better than ruby?
Red spinel generally has better clarity than ruby and treatments are not used to enhance their color; being singly refractive (the only other stones that are, are diamond and garnet) they have a higher dispersion which can display a fire that can’t be compared but they are not as hard as ruby, being an 8 on the MOHS …
Are spinels real gems?
Spinel belongs to the cubic crystal system and its characteristic crystal shape is an octahedron, which looks like two back-to-back pyramids. Like ruby, spinel is found in alluvial deposits; it ranks 8 on the Mohs scale and has good toughness, making it a durable gem for jewelry.
Is spinel a semi precious stone?
Spinel, traditionally considered as ‘semi-precious’, is a fine gem that is rapidly growing in popularity. Spinel has a bright vitreous lustre and can be found in a wide array of colours including red, blue, violet, and pink.
How do you identify a spinel stone?
The proper way to analyze whether Spinel is real is to put it under a UV Radiation Light. Set it to long-wave and look for any stones that are particularly glowy. If the stones are glowy, that means it’s synthetic and not natural.
Does spinel scratch easily?
Spinel is quite high on the hardness scale (8/10) so avoid storing it loose with other gemstones as it could easily scratch them. Conversely, anything harder, such as a sapphire, ruby or diamond, could scratch your Spinel so it is always best to keep gemstones in soft individual cloth bags.
Is spinel a sapphire?
Spinel is a natural gem that is in its own mineral group (so, not a gem with siblings like Ruby and Sapphire, or Emerald and Aquamarine.) As a result, people often mistake Spinel for Sapphire or Ruby. In fact, the Black Prince’s Ruby – the center of the British Crown Jewels – is actually a Red Spinel.
Why is spinel so expensive?
Evaluating the color of spinel Red spinel looks strikingly similar to rubies. Interestingly, red spinel is much rarer than rubies, but due to its extreme rarity there is little demand for it and therefore it is not as valuable. As with any gemstone, spinel with even saturation and intense hue are the most valuable.
Are spinel stones expensive?
Fine Spinels from both Burma and Tanzania are still very affordable in sizes under 1 carat, with prices ranging from $200 to $500 a carat for good colors. But prices go up exponentially with size. Top reds and pinks typically sell for $600 to $1,200 a carat in the 1-2 ct size, but increase dramatically over 2 carats.
How much is red spinel worth?
Spinel Price Guide
| Colour | Carat | Price Per Carat (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Red | 1.0 – 5.0 | $800 – $5000 |
| Jedi Pink – Burma | 1.0 – 5.0 | $800 – $5000 |
| Hot Pink | 1.0 – 5.0 | $500 – $3000 |
| Cobalt Blue – Vietnam | 0.8 – 3.0 | $2000 – $8000 |
What is the most expensive spinel?
Cobalt Blue Spinel from Luc Yen mine in Vietnam is the rarest and most desirable fine stone, and the biggest hype in the modern gem industry.
What is the difference between a Ruby and a red spinel?
Because of this, red spinel has often been used to imitate ruby. In fact, the similarities are so convincing, that up until the late 19th century there was no distinction at all between the two gem types. Many famous old “Rubies” were in more modern-times discovered to be Red Spinel.
Why is spinel not as valuable as other gemstones?
They are much less abundant than rubies and sapphires of similar quality and color. Even with equivalent beauty and greater rarity, their prices are much lower than ruby and sapphire. This is an example of how rarity has not determined the price. Spinel is not as valuable because it is not as popular.
What are the different colors of spinel?
Red and blue spinel: Spinel occurs in a wide variety of colors. The bright reds and deep blues can be spectacular specimens. It is easy to understand how early gem traders confused spinel with ruby and sapphire for over 1000 years.
What mineral is mistaken for a ruby?
A spectacular gem mineral confused with ruby and sapphire for over 1000 years. Red and blue spinel: Spinel occurs in a wide variety of colors. The bright reds and deep blues can be spectacular specimens. It is easy to understand how early gem traders confused spinel with ruby and sapphire for over 1000 years.