The Spinel gem is one of nature’s most outstanding precious and semi-precious stone variants. It is important that you know all its properties, characteristics and uses, especially if you are a collector. For this reason, pay the utmost attention to the information we have for you.
What is the mineral Spinel?
Spinel mineral consists of a hard, glassy aluminum-magnesium oxide that has been used for centuries as a precious specimen. It is such a beautiful stone that it has often been confused with sapphire or ruby. However, it has the right to be recognized as a valuable stone by itself.
It is possible to find this gem in multiple kinds of colors, including red, pink, violet, lavender, blue, yellow, black, orange, and brown. Apparently, its name comes from the Latin word “spine”, which exactly is Thorn in its Spanish translation.
Mineralogical characteristics
Its shades vary depending on the mineral composition found inside. In any case, its most common colors are red, blue, green, black and brown. Pass transparent to opaque, with a indefinite cleavage, vitreous luster Y fluorescence.
Its red varieties are often confused with the ruby gemstone. While its varieties have a blue hue, throughout history it has been confused with the sapphire stone. Both stones belong to the group of minerals of the corundum.
On the other hand, its hardness level on the Mohs scale is 7.5 to 8.
| spinel mineral | Properties and characteristics |
|---|---|
| chemical classification | Oxide |
| Color | Colorless, pink, red, orange, blue, violet, brown, black |
| Stripe | Colorless (harder than stripe plate) |
| Gloss | Vitreous |
| diaphanousness | transparent to translucent |
| cleavage | None, does not present |
| Mohs hardness | 7.5 to 8 |
| specific gravity | 3.5 to 4.1 |
| diagnostic properties | Hardness, octahedral crystals, vitreous luster |
| Chemical composition | MgAl2O4 |
| crystalline system | isometric |
| Applications | The only significant use is as a gemstone. |
How to differentiate spinel from corundum?
Since spinel has been referred to in its reddish, blue, and brown varieties due to its hardness, they can be confused with the corundum varieties of sapphire and ruby. However, in gemology and mineralogy they have substantial differences that are specified in the table below and that will help you to differentiate these precious stones.
At first glance we see that the corundum have a higher hardness, just below diamond, their crystalline system is hexagonal and they are rich in aluminium. While spinels have a maximum hardness of 8, they crystallize in the isometric system and are rich in magnesium and aluminum.
| Property | spinel | corundum |
| Composition | MgAl2O4 | Al2O3 |
| crystal system | isometric | Hexagonal |
| typical crystal shape | Octahedrons, dodecahedra | hexagonal prisms |
| Hardness | 7.5 to 8 | 9 |
Where is spinel formed?
This precious stone can be found in specific geological environments: a) it is found in marble rocks that come from contact metamorphism and metasomatic processes around skarns. Its protoliths or source rocks are limestone and dolomite. b) they are also found as an accessory mineral and rock-former in igneous rocks of basic and ultrabasic composition such as gabbro and peridotites.
important deposits
Although they are not the same products, the mineral spinel is found together with Sapphire and the Ruby. So their deposits are shared, being the most important in Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Thailand.
Other deposits of the stone are located in Australia, Madagascar, Brazil, Nigeria, Nepal, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Afghanistan, and the United States.
Spiritual meaning of the stone
Over time, different cultures have attributed alternative metaphysical and healing powers. As a result, it is a stone considered a relaxing rock, since it seems to have calming energy. Of course, there is no scientific proof regarding this.
Properties of the mineral Spinel
This rock is recommended for people who suffer from anxiety and stress due to its supposed relaxation qualities. It is also said that encourages the healing and revitalization, with numerous healing properties. Depending on the color, it is applied in different ways.
For example, the pink and green variants are used for promote compassion and the love. The violet specimens are destined for the spiritual world and the yellow ones are associated with the intellect. Finally, it is believed that this mineral carries the energy of fire, specifically in the field of feng shui.
Spinel Crystal Uses
Despite the fact that many people resort to it for esoteric purposes, its most widespread use is in jewelry. In fact, it is quite a versatile material between precious and semi-precious stones. It is used for any type of garment or ornamental decoration.
It is common to see this mineral in rings, necklaces, bracelets, pendants, hair pins and accessories of great beauty. Of course, its economic value is not so accessible, since it is one of the most exotic specimens.}
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