Spinel Jewelry
Natural Spinel Jewelry: The Vibrant Essence of Gems
Like garnet and diamond, Spinel is singly refractive and exhibits the same optical properties in all crystal directions. It belongs to the cubic crystal system, with its characteristic octahedral shape resembling two pyramids joined at their bases. Well-formed spinel crystals are commonly found in nature, making them a remarkable gemstone choice.
History & Cultural Significance
A Legacy in Jewelry
Spinel has been treasured for centuries, though often mistaken for other gemstones such as ruby and sapphire because of its vibrant colors. One of the most famous misidentified spinels is the "Black Prince's Ruby" in the British Crown Jewels, a red spinel. Historically, large spinel specimens, known as Balas Ruby, were mined from the Kuh-i-Lal deposit in Tajikistan.
In 1783, mineralogist Jean Baptiste Louis Rome de Lisle distinguished spinel from ruby by defining it as a distinct mineral.
Symbolism & Mythology
Throughout history, spinel has been associated with strength, vitality, and protection. In medieval times, it was revered for its beauty and rarity, often believed to bring good fortune. Red spinel, with its fiery glow, symbolized energy and passion, making it a talisman of resilience and inspiration.
A Spectrum of Colors
Spinel is renowned for its extraordinary color range, which includes intense red, vibrant pink, orange, purple, violet, blue, and bluish-green. The presence of various trace elements gives rise to these captivating shades:
- Intense reds and pinks: Chromium content. The higher the chromium content, the stronger the red hue.
- Orange and purple: Mixture of Iron and Chromium
- Violet to blue: Trace amounts of Iron
- Vibrant blues: Trace amounts of Cobalt
Image: Spinel comes in beautiful red, pink, purple, and blue colors. GIA
Properties & Meaning
Spinel is renowned for its uplifting and revitalizing energy:
- Renewal & Vitality: Known as a stone of rejuvenation, boosting energy and resilience.
- Hope & Positivity: Encourages optimism and helps dispel negativity.
- Love & Passion: Red spinel, in particular, is linked to emotional strength and devotion.
Spiritual Applications
-
Chakras:
- Red spinel: Aligns with the root chakra, promoting grounding and vitality.
- Blue spinel: Connects to the throat and third-eye chakras, enhancing communication and intuition.
- Black spinel: Resonates with the root chakra, offering protection and stability.
- Meditation: Used to enhance energy flow, deepen spiritual connections, and release emotional blockages.
- Birthstone & Anniversary: Spinel is an August birthstone and the traditional gemstone for the 22nd wedding anniversary.
- Feng Shui: Depending on its color, spinel is placed in homes or workspaces to attract protection, creativity, or prosperity.
Gemstone Factors
- Mineral: Spinel
- Chemistry: MgAl2O4
- Color: Red, orange, pink, purple, blue, black
- Refractive index: 1.718
- Specific gravity: 3.60
- Mohs Hardness: 8
Mining sources
Spinel is found in several locations worldwide, with each region producing distinct colors and qualities
- Myanmar (Burma): Known for its legendary “Nat Thwe” (spirit-polished) spinels, featuring striking reds and pinks from the famous Mogok mines.
- Sri Lanka: Produces a wide spectrum of spinel, including blue, pink, and violet varieties.
- Tanzania: Home to bright red, pink, and rare green spinels.
- Vietnam: The Luc Yen mine in Yen Bai province yields deep red, pink, violet, and the rare vivid blue spinels.
- Afghanistan, Pakistan & Tajikistan: Notable for pink and red hues.
Natural Spinel Jewelry by AME Jewellery
At AME Jewellery, we design and craft exquisite natural spinel jewelry in yellow, white, and rose gold. Each piece is meticulously set with high-quality spinel and certified by SJC Lab, ensuring authenticity and excellence.
Discover the timeless allure of natural spinel jewelry at AME Jewellery today!
