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Spinel is a mineral that can be colorless or a variety of colors, including red, pink, purple, green, blue, brown, and black. It's a member of the cubic crystal system and is often found in gravel deposits.

Composition:

Pure spinel is colorless, but impurities give it color

The chemical formula for spinel is MgAl2O4

It typically contains magnesium and aluminum

Chromium gives spinel its red color

Hardness:

Spinel has a hardness of 8 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness

Diamond has a hardness of 10

Crystal shape:

The characteristic crystal shape of spinel is an octahedron, which looks like two back-to-back pyramids

Spinel crystals have no true cleavage

Uses:

Spinel is a durable gem for jewelry

Well-formed spinel crystals are in high demand among mineral collectors

Famous spinels:

The Black Prince's Ruby, which is set in England's Imperial State Crown

The "Timur ruby" in the British Crown Jewels

The "Côte de Bretagne", formerly from the French Crown jewels

The Samarian Spinel, the largest known spinel in the world