The spinel is a gemstone of intrigue and allure, admired for its vivid colors, brilliance, and remarkable resilience (7.5–8 Mohs). Once mistaken for rubies and sapphires, spinel is now celebrated as a unique and highly desirable gem in its own right.
Found in an extraordinary range of colors, spinel appears in fiery reds, intense pinks, cobalt blues, purples, oranges, and even gray and black shades. Its dazzling red varieties were so prized that the famed Timur Ruby, a 361-carat treasure once owned by Mongol emperors and later claimed by the British monarchy, was later discovered to be a spinel rather than a ruby.
Historically associated with vitality, renewal, and protection, spinel has adorned the regalia of rulers for centuries. Mined in Burma (Myanmar), Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and Tanzania, its exceptional clarity and depth of color continue to captivate those drawn to rare and underappreciated treasures.