Spinel Oval 7x5mm | Pink Spinel For Jewelry

Spinel is an exceptionally brilliant, durable magnesium aluminum oxide gemstone that has historically been the world's ultimate imposter stone. For centuries, spectacular red spinels were mistakenly cataloged as premium rubies because they were mined from the exact same gravel pits in Southeast Asia and shared an identical, deep crimson saturation. The most famous example of this gemstone identity theft is the "Black Prince's Ruby", a massive, uncut 170-carat red spinel that sits proudly at the very center of the British Imperial State Crown. It wasn't until 1783 that mineralogist Jean-Baptiste de Romé de l'Isle successfully used crystallography to identify spinel as a completely distinct mineral from corundum (ruby and sapphire). Pure spinel is entirely colorless, but natural chemical impurities create a spectacular color palette; chromium induces fiery reds and hot pinks, iron yields deep blacks and greens, and trace cobalt creates an incredibly rare, vibrant cobalt blue that commands massive premiums among collectors.

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