Red Spinel Description:

Red spinel is a beautiful and rare gemstone often mistaken for ruby due to its vibrant red color. It belongs to the spinel mineral family, which is composed of magnesium aluminum oxide (MgAlâ‚‚Oâ‚„). Unlike ruby, which is a variety of corundum, spinel has a different crystal structure and is typically found in octahedral crystals.

Key Characteristics of Red Spinel:

• Color: Deep red to pinkish-red, sometimes with orange or purplish undertones.

• Hardness: 7.5–8 on the Mohs scale (durable but slightly softer than ruby).

• Luster: Vitreous (glassy) and highly reflective.

• Clarity: Usually eye-clean, meaning it has minimal visible inclusions.

• Refractive Index: 1.71–1.76, giving it brilliance similar to ruby.

• Formation: Naturally occurs in metamorphic and alluvial deposits, often found alongside rubies and sapphires.

• Sources: Myanmar (Burma), Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Tanzania, and Afghanistan are known for high-quality red spinels.

Historical Significance:

Red spinel has been mistakenly identified as ruby for centuries. Some of the worldâ€TMs most famous “rubies,†like the Black Princeâ€TMs Ruby in the British Crown Jewels, are actually red spinel. Historically, spinel was highly valued in royal collections before gemology advanced enough to distinguish it from ruby.

Uses and Value:

Red spinel is prized in fine jewelry for its brilliance and rarity. While natural red spinel is valuable, it is often more affordable than ruby. It is not commonly treated or enhanced, making natural specimens highly sought after.

Would you like a comparison between red spinel and ruby?