Spinel

Spinel From Mandalay Region Myanmar 

Spinel is a durable magnesium aluminum oxide mineral (MgAl₂O₄) with an 8 on the Mohs hardness scale. Highly prized for its brilliance and rich color variety, it is most famous as the "Great Imposter" of history—many legendary royal "rubies," including the Black Prince’s Ruby in the British Imperial Crown, are actually red spinels. GIA +3

Key Characteristics & Uses

• • Colors: Spinel comes in a breathtaking spectrum of colors. The most coveted include vibrant red, cobalt blue, vivid pink, purple, and black. Color variations arise from trace elements like chromium, iron, and cobalt. Wikipedia +1

• Durability: With a hardness of 8, it is highly scratch-resistant, making it an excellent choice for daily-wear jewelry like rings and earrings. GIA
• Birthstone: It is an official August birthstone.

• Natural vs. Synthetic: While rare natural spinels (especially vivid reds and cobalts) can be quite valuable, lab-created synthetic spinels are also widely produced. Synthetic spinel is frequently used as an affordable substitute for aquamarine or blue sapphire in birthstone jewelry.
  Wikipedia +3
   
• Treatments: Unlike many gemstones, spinel is almost always completely untreated. Rarely, some stones may undergo heat treatment to improve clarity or clarity-enhancement to fill fractures.
  GIA +2