Spinel is a magnesium aluminium oxide and one of gem history's great impostors, entirely by accident. Several celebrated 'rubies' in royal regalia, including the Black Prince's Ruby in the British Imperial State Crown, are actually fine red spinels. It grows in the same marble as ruby, which is how the mix-ups happened. Beyond red, it comes in hot pink, violet, blue, lavender and grey, with the neon pink-red stones of Mahenge in Tanzania causing a sensation. Other sources include Myanmar, Vietnam, Sri Lanka and Tajikistan. It joined peridot as an August birthstone in 2016.
Spinel is a dream to own: 8 on the Mohs scale, good toughness, no cleavage, and, best of all, it is usually completely untreated. That natural, what-you-see-is-what-you-get quality is increasingly rare and increasingly valued. It is faceted to make the most of its crisp brilliance and suits engagement rings and daily wear without worry. Clean it with warm, soapy water. Do note that synthetic spinel has been made for a century and is common in birthstone jewellery, so ask for natural, which is all we carry.
Ruby is its historic double, garnet shares the red palette, and violet spinel can be similar to tanzanite.
