Spinel

SPINEL

* What better-known gem is spinel often mistaken for?

Spinel is frequently confused with ruby, but it’s a gem that can stand on its own merits. Even though its color can equal ruby’s red, it has long been undervalued. Spinel has a long history of use, and there are many famous large spinels existence. Long believed to be red corundum, these stones grace royal jewels from England and Russia. Known as “Balas ruby,” spinel was not recognized as a separate gem spices until the 1800s.


* Which spinel varieties are the most valuable


Some spinel colors are more rare and valuable than others. In general, red spinel is the most desirable, followed by fine cobalt spinel (intense blue), then by vibrant hot pink and vivid orange stones. Violet and bluish purple to purple, or lavender, stones tend to be less attractive, and less in demand than other, rarer colors.


* Spinel-Gem of Princes, Kings, and Emperors


In ancient times, the mined of Asia yielded exceptionally large spinel crystals, which were known as Balas rubies. Some of these fine stones became the treasured property of kings and emperors, and passed through the hands of many as spoil of war. One of the most famous examples is the so-called “Black Prince’s of ruby.” This historic crimson-red gem, set in England’s Imperial State Crown, is displayed in the Tower of London. Smoothly polished and roughly octagonal in shape, it was probably mined in the mountains of Afghanistan. It first appeared in the historical records of fourteenth-century Spain, and it was owned by a succession of Moorish and Spain Kings before Edward, Prince of Wales---the “Black Prince”--- received the stone in 1367 as payment for a battle victory. Since then, many other English monarchs---including hennery VIII---have cherished the gem. It’s outlasted them all, surviving fires, attempted thefts, and World War II bombing raids, to become---with the Koh-ni-Noor diamond---one of the centerpieces of England’s most Crown Jewels. Another large spinels in the Crown Jewels, the “Timur ruby,” weighs over 350 cts. It, too, has a checkered history. Several Persian inscriptions carved into the gem testify to its age.