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Spinel is a hard, crystalline mineral that is used as a semi-precious gemstone:

• Color

  Spinel can be colorless, red, lavender, violet, blue, green, brown, or black. The red variety is often confused with a ruby.

• Composition

  Spinel is made of magnesium and aluminum, and its chemical formula is MgAl2O4.

• Hardness

  Spinel is 8 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, making it a durable gem.

• Crystal shape

  Spinel crystals are octahedrons, which look like two pyramids back-to-back.

• Origin

  Spinel is often found in alluvial deposits, and is commonly found in Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Vietnam, Tanzania, and Kenya.

• Uses

  Spinel is most commonly used as the birthstone for August.

• History

  Before the end of the 19th century, spinel was often misidentified as a ruby or corundum. Some famous spinels include the Black Prince's Ruby and the Timur Ruby.