spinel |
( spin - NEL )
|
BUYER’S OVERVIEW:
Spinel is considered to be a semi-precious gemstone. While not abundant in nature, clean, natural stones are available but large stones are rare. Synthetic Spinel, especially those that mimic the rare blue, red or pink colors are widespread, especially on internet auction sites.
Spinel is judged by depth of color and clarity with the finest Spinel having a saturated pure color, with minimal brownish or gray overtones. Red and pink Spinel are the most prized, followed by the lavender and blues. Any Spinel over 2 carats is rare and good stones over 3 carats are very rare.
COLOR:
Spinel comes in a wide range of colors including; red, pink, orange, blue, violet, purple and black. Yellow, green, brown and colorless stones are seldom used as gems.
APPEARANCE:
Transparent to opaque, Spinel is a Type II gemstone and is usually included.
Phenomena: Spinel sometimes exhibits the phenomena of color change and will rarely exhibit Asterism, a pattern of reflected light that forms star patterns (usually 4 or 6-rayed), typically seen in star rubies and star sapphires.
SIZE RANGE:
0.5 to 3 carats; faceted stones over 40 carats have been seen but any Spinel over 2 carats is rare, and good stones over 3 carats are very rare.
POSSIBLE ENHANCEMENTS & TREATMENTS:
Spinel has no known enhancements.
HARDNESS:
8 on the Mohs scale.
BEST USE OF THE GEMSTONE:
Spinel is a strong gemstone and can be used in any type of jewelry; however, reasonable care should be taken with all gems.
CARE & CLEANING:
It is best to never expose colored gemstones to cleaning solvents or chemicals of any kind.
Common cleaning methods include:
Ultrasonic: usually safe
Steamer: usually safe
Warm soapy water: safe
Reaction to Chemicals: can be damaged by acids.
Reaction to Heat: light colored stones may fade under intense heat
Stability to Light: stable
INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THIS GEMSTONE:
Many famous gemstones in crown jewel sets around the world that were believed to be rubies are actually Spinel. The most famous is the Black Prince’s Ruby, a magnificent 170 carat red Spinel that currently adorns the Imperial State Crown in the British Crown Jewels and was once worn by Henry V on his battle helmet. The Timur Ruby, a 352 carat red Spinel now owned by Queen Elizabeth, has the names of some of the Mughal emperors who previously owned it engraved on its face. The two largest spinel, each 520 cts., are on display at the British Museum in London. The “Diamond Fund” in Moscow owns a spinel of 400 cts. Today, Spinel is a great substitute for ruby and sapphire as well.
Within the spinel group some specimens have established their own names; Flame Spinel is bright orange to orange-red, Balas Spinel is pale red, Pleonaste is dark green to blackish and opaque, Hercynite is dark green to black, Grahnite is blue, violet, or dark green to blackish, Gahnospinel is blue to dark blue or green and Picotite is brownish, dark green or black
In nature, Spinel usually occurs with ruby and sapphire. Unlike most gems on the market today there is no known treatment that can improve the clarity of color of spinel.
The name spinel is thought to have come from the Latin word, “spina”, meaning thorn, because of its pointed crystal form, or the Greek word for “spark”, which refers to its bright color.
DESIGNATION:
Associated with 22nd wedding anniversary
Spinel is considered to be a semi-precious gemstone. While not abundant in nature, clean, natural stones are available but large stones are rare. Synthetic Spinel, especially those that mimic the rare blue, red or pink colors are widespread, especially on internet auction sites.
Spinel is judged by depth of color and clarity with the finest Spinel having a saturated pure color, with minimal brownish or gray overtones. Red and pink Spinel are the most prized, followed by the lavender and blues. Any Spinel over 2 carats is rare and good stones over 3 carats are very rare.
COLOR:
Spinel comes in a wide range of colors including; red, pink, orange, blue, violet, purple and black. Yellow, green, brown and colorless stones are seldom used as gems.
APPEARANCE:
Transparent to opaque, Spinel is a Type II gemstone and is usually included.
Phenomena: Spinel sometimes exhibits the phenomena of color change and will rarely exhibit Asterism, a pattern of reflected light that forms star patterns (usually 4 or 6-rayed), typically seen in star rubies and star sapphires.
SIZE RANGE:
0.5 to 3 carats; faceted stones over 40 carats have been seen but any Spinel over 2 carats is rare, and good stones over 3 carats are very rare.
POSSIBLE ENHANCEMENTS & TREATMENTS:
Spinel has no known enhancements.
HARDNESS:
8 on the Mohs scale.
BEST USE OF THE GEMSTONE:
Spinel is a strong gemstone and can be used in any type of jewelry; however, reasonable care should be taken with all gems.
CARE & CLEANING:
It is best to never expose colored gemstones to cleaning solvents or chemicals of any kind.
Common cleaning methods include:
Ultrasonic: usually safe
Steamer: usually safe
Warm soapy water: safe
Reaction to Chemicals: can be damaged by acids.
Reaction to Heat: light colored stones may fade under intense heat
Stability to Light: stable
INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THIS GEMSTONE:
Many famous gemstones in crown jewel sets around the world that were believed to be rubies are actually Spinel. The most famous is the Black Prince’s Ruby, a magnificent 170 carat red Spinel that currently adorns the Imperial State Crown in the British Crown Jewels and was once worn by Henry V on his battle helmet. The Timur Ruby, a 352 carat red Spinel now owned by Queen Elizabeth, has the names of some of the Mughal emperors who previously owned it engraved on its face. The two largest spinel, each 520 cts., are on display at the British Museum in London. The “Diamond Fund” in Moscow owns a spinel of 400 cts. Today, Spinel is a great substitute for ruby and sapphire as well.
Within the spinel group some specimens have established their own names; Flame Spinel is bright orange to orange-red, Balas Spinel is pale red, Pleonaste is dark green to blackish and opaque, Hercynite is dark green to black, Grahnite is blue, violet, or dark green to blackish, Gahnospinel is blue to dark blue or green and Picotite is brownish, dark green or black
In nature, Spinel usually occurs with ruby and sapphire. Unlike most gems on the market today there is no known treatment that can improve the clarity of color of spinel.
The name spinel is thought to have come from the Latin word, “spina”, meaning thorn, because of its pointed crystal form, or the Greek word for “spark”, which refers to its bright color.
DESIGNATION:
Associated with 22nd wedding anniversary