Spinel Gemstone
The Black Prince’s Ruby in front of the Imperial State Crown of the United Kingdom
Not so long ago, this precious gemstone, Spinel was unheard of. It has gained great recognised for its exceptional brilliance and hardness. Spinel does not require any additional enhancement, as compared to sapphire and ruby. Common heat-treated to enhance its colour and clarity. This process of heat treatment generally affects their value as compared to natural untreated sapphire and ruby.
Description
The spinel gemstone can usually be found in similar deposits of ruby or sapphire. Sometimes closely connected to corundum character. Which is why, the vivid red colour was mistaken as ruby, and the royal blue colour was mistaken as sapphire for decades. As a result, many spinels are now custom set in very important jewellery collections based on their incorrect identification as ruby and sapphire. You see spinel in a wide range of beautiful colours, hot vivid pink to mystery yet sparkle grey shade.
Unique features in Spinel
One of the differences is that spinel gemstones are singly refractive, unlike rubies and sapphire which are doubly refractive. Diamond is another gemstone with singly refractive, which have only one refractive index. Known as an isometric system, spinel crystalises in the cubic crystal, making them highly symmetrical. This internal structure in the gemstone, gives unique physical properties, such as a good hardness and reflective index.
Mahenge Spinel
Spinel is known for its vivid red(pigeon blood ruby), and recent years for the new hot pink and orangy red. The intense red spinel sourced from Burma, and the neon pink-red are none other from Tanzania, a town called Mahenge.
All eyes are on Mahenge during the year 2007 when a giant crystal of spinel weighing 52kg was mined from the town. They were in the limelight, for their vibrant hot pink and unique orangy-red colour shades. Combine with the singular refractive index same as diamond, they sparkle at all angles.
Today Mahenge spinel, are no stranger to gemstone collectors or the general public. The remarkable neon look in the gemstone, like the Brazil paraiba tourmaline, is one of a kind.
Cobalt Spinel
Cobalt spinel referring to specific colour shade of colour that belongs to the spinel mineral family. It is a variety of spinel that gets its name from the presence of cobalt. Which imparts a vivid blue colour to the stone.
The most desirable colour for cobalt is a rich, saturated blue with no hints of green or grey. The colour can vary from light to dark blue, and the most valuable stones exhibit a neon-ish blue similar to cornflower sapphire.
The value of cobalt is primarily determined by its colour, with the most vivid blue stones being the most valuable. Cobalt is from from Luc Yen in Northern Vietnam is highly valued for its intense vivivd blue hue.
However there could be an overhype in cobalt spinel as new rough from Tanzania, Sri Lanka certified cobalt colour are highly priced from USD $6,000 $15,000. Please be cautious when consider it as there are other gemstone available with beautiful colour shades.
Investment
High excellent durability and hardness of 8.5, like diamonds, spinel gemstones have cubic crystals. While diamonds have perfect cleavage, the spinel gemstones have an indistinct cleavage that enhances their durability and vivid colour
If you are trying to look for spinel, as an investment or as a collectable gemstone. Prices have increased throughout the years, as it is an all-time favourite in the eyes of investors, collectors and of cause jewellery lovers.
Customised Jewellery & Engagement Ring
Due to the excellent qualities of spinel gemstones, both visually & compositionally, the natural spinel gemstone is best to use in any kind of daily jewellery design. The fire contrast and remarkable brilliance, most especially with accents set of diamonds in gold designs are very great to wear. So, if you are one of those individuals who really love customised jewellery, you should add spinel gemstone jewellery to your collection. Certainly, be spoilt with a wide variety of colour range from mysterious greyish blue to vivid neon-ish pink and red on an engagement ring!
