With no need for enhancements to improve its appearance, Spinel comes with both looks and strength to beat other gems. It ranks in hardness at 8 Moh a few steps from diamond and corundum. This makes it a fantastic gem for rings and bracelets which are susceptible to more damage through regular wear. You cannot forego this electric and brilliant pink gem for anything else. This article has pointers on getting to know this rare and spectacular gem.
Forgotten jewel in the gemstone world
This gemstone has no association as an anniversary gem and is not a birthstone. It comes in various colors. High-quality spinel comes from places including Sri Lanka, Cambodia, and Myanmar. Other good sources include Nigeria, Thailand, Tanzania, Russia, Brazil, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. Spinel gemstones come in various colors including yellow, brown, black, blue and red. However, the ruby-like red spinel is the most sought after. Its coloring agents include iron, cobalt, and vanadium. Spinel has been confused with ruby for a long time because it’s discovered together with ruby and sapphire deposits.
Picking quality spinel
Natural spinel does not get treated. However, inferior quality stones might get oiled or dyed to enhance their appearance. Synthetic spinel might sometimes get substituted for authentic ones. This mimics natural stones in composition and might not be easy to detect. They look genuine and have similar hardness and durability. Thus, great care is essential to differentiate between the two.
The rarest spinel is the cobalt blue. This comes in a rich deep blue with traces of cobalt. However, spinel varies from opaque to that with a dull luster. It might come with inclusions present including rutile needles and miniscule octahedral crystals. You should be aware that there are imitations of spinel in the market. Unlike other gems, no heat treatment is required to enhance natural spinel colors. Buying from a reputable gems store will give you confidence that the stone is in its natural state.
Features to look for
Even color – look for rich colors although one with dark tons within the body is not recommended.
Internal characteristics – inclusions of octahedral crystals and iron oxide are prevalent within this gemstone. However, they are only visible when seen under with magnification. The indication of those materials indicates a pure spinel gemstone.
High polish – since spinel is a hard get, it tends to have a high shine comparable to ruby and sapphire.
For lack of cleavage, natural spinel is ideal for everyday wear. So, it’s a good choice for jewelry purpose including earrings, necklaces, rings, and pendants. Spinel is not easily chipped or scratched with faceted edges. Your jewelry pieces will retain their sharpness with the stone keeping its elegant appeal. A faceted spinel gemstone in proper proportions cannot be matched by even the most elegant diamond for its brilliance.
For their beautiful colors and brilliance which makes it stunning when used in jewelry, spinel gems are rarer to find than rubies. Spinel gemstones are comparatively cheaper but hard, durable and do not require extra care. However, you have to make sure you look for a gems store with an excellent reputation if you are to get the real worth of spinel.
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