What color of spinel is the most expensive?

Undoubtedly, the luminaries of the jewelry Olympus, which are the diamond, emerald, sapphire and ruby, were, are and will remain in their place of honor, but today collectors are increasingly turning to less famous, but equally valuable representatives of the precious world. Among the stones of the first row, which are not included in the magnificent four, there are true masterpieces of nature, and they are also very rare, which further increases their attractiveness. This niche is occupied by the regal spinel – a stone with a long and glorious history. The mineral is actively used by jewelers in the manufacture of various jewelry, so it deserves attention and study.

History of the stone

The first mentions of it are found in the records of the great traveler Marco Polo in the 13th century. From that time on, spinel began its triumphal march throughout the world, adorning the crowns of rulers and the fingers of eminent dignitaries. The most honorable objects, the center of which is a magnificent mineral, were the crown of the British Empire, the Great Imperial Crown of Russia and the crown of the Persian Shahs. Spinel was often confused with corundum and ruby, so the deposit was initially called “ruby mines.” But in the 19th century, this stone was carefully examined, as a result of which it was found that it has nothing in common with a ruby. This is a mineral with its own characteristics, which fully deserves to be perceived as a separate jewelry stone. By the way, many ancient jewelry contained spinel, not ruby, because they were very similar. The crown of Catherine the Great and the famous “Monomakh’s Cap” are also decorated with spinel, and not with ruby, as previously thought. Perhaps the most famous example is a spinel called the Black Prince’s Ruby, which was given to the ruler of Wales, Edward. The stone was approximately the size of a chicken egg, and its weight was 170 carats.

Properties and deposits of spinel

For a long time, this luxurious stone was mistaken for a ruby, and now only a specialist can distinguish its dark red variety from the famous corundum. This type of spinel is considered the rarest and most expensive. Spinel is a crystal of high hardness (8 – 8,5 points on the Mohs scale). But despite this, the mineral is vulnerable to mechanical damage, so you need to ensure that jewelry with it does not fall on the floor, is not scratched, or is not subject to other similar impacts. The richest deposits of stone are found in Ceylon, the Pamirs, India, and Tajikistan. Russia also has deposits of this amazing mineral. Spinel can be found in deposits in Thailand, Afghanistan, Brazil, and Sri Lanka. The most beautiful red spinel is mined in Myanmar (Burma).

The color palette

Spinel surprises and attracts primarily with its beauty, brilliance and richness of color. The brightest and most valuable is the luxurious red, but its bright pink shade is no less loved. Nature has created other beautiful variations of the color scheme of this mineral. The main varieties of this stone are:

• Noble spinel is a transparent mineral that has a rich hue. Red stones are called ruby ​​spinel, red-pink ones are called bale ruby, and red-orange ones are called rubicell. But the color scheme is not limited to red and other colors in combination with it. Blue and purple minerals look no less elegant. Noble minerals also include blue and green spinel.
• Pleonaste, which is also called “common spinel”. This category includes translucent specimens that contain large amounts of iron. Among the shades we note black, brown and dark green. They can be found much more often than spinel, which is a noble mineral.
• Picotite. These minerals are found in almost the same colors as pleonaste, but unlike them, picotite is completely opaque. The main feature is the increased chromium content.
• Ganit. These are quite rare specimens, which contain a high content of iron and zinc. Shades can be different – from blue to green and purple.

Impact on the owner

If you have jewelry with spinel in your jewelry wardrobe, then in addition to aesthetic pleasure, other pleasant bonuses await you.

Circumstances themselves will develop around you in the best possible way, showing you to the world from the most positive side, increasing your charm and influence on others. Energy and vitality will literally flow into you, and joy and optimism will make you the center of society and a magnet for people. It is believed that this stone also enhances a person’s attractiveness to the opposite sex.

The stone patronizes generous and moral people who do not do bad things to others. It is for them that the mineral can become a real helper in life, but for evil and envious people, spinel is not the best traveling companion, because there is an opinion that it can even harm them because of their bad thoughts.

In addition to magical properties, this stone also has certain healing properties, as people previously believed. It all depends on the color of the stone:

• Red. It has a beneficial effect on the circulatory system, strengthening the immune system. In addition, it was previously used to make amulets that helped in love affairs due to its positive effect on libido.
• Pink. It has a calming effect on the nervous system and also helps normalize sleep. Many note the positive effect of this mineral on the condition of the skin.
• Green. It has a beneficial effect on vision and also helps get rid of headaches and joint pain.
• Blue. This mineral is useful to wear for those who have problems with the gastrointestinal tract, lungs, liver and kidneys.
• Black. The stone is useful for low blood pressure, helps with wounds and bruises.

There is a definite connection between this mineral and its beneficial effects on the body. This is understandable, since before people used more actively what nature gives them. Therefore, they noticed what gives their results. But if you have truly serious health problems, then we do not recommend that you rely solely on the likely benefits of this mineral. But to perceive it as a beautiful gem that can decorate any decoration is what is within your power.

Compatibility with Zodiac signs

For those who are interested in astrology, it will probably be interesting to know which zodiac sign spinel is suitable for. This mineral is 100% suitable for Leos, and will help representatives of this sign in all endeavors, enhancing their innate charm. Leos are characterized by periodic blues, when they feel that they have no strength left, so this stone will help in such difficult moments, giving them the necessary vital energy.

It will also be a good amulet for other representatives of the fire element – Aries and Sagittarius. It will give them strength, improve their willpower and mental abilities.

Use in jewelry

Spinel is actively used in the manufacture of rings and magnificent necklaces. Earrings of different shapes and sizes, in which spinel is successfully combined with other precious and semi-precious stones, look no less elegant.

In jewelry, the mineral is often combined with diamonds, which are considered a universal insert to decorate any tandem. The stone also goes well with emeralds, sapphires and other stones, so the jeweler can fully express his imagination.

Features of care

The fragility of the mineral requires compliance with certain recommendations for its care:

• exclusion of any bumps and falls;
• It is recommended to store jewelry in a separate box with soft walls;
• When doing any housework, it is advisable to remove jewelry;
• avoiding any contact with chemically aggressive substances;
• Once every few months you need to carefully clean the stone using a mild soap solution and a soft brush.

Synthetic spinel

Science does not stop in its progress and creates methods for accurately and skillfully reproducing stones of the highest category. The rarity and difficulty of mining and processing spinel contributes to its artificial production, which results in stones of high purity and brightness of color. Only a specialist can distinguish such a stone from a natural one.

Of course, we still recommend purchasing natural precious stones, because the knowledge that you have a real, genuine treasure is very pleasant and valuable.

In our collections you will find jewelry with natural spinel in all the richness of its types and colors. These are luxury jewelry from famous Russian brands that come with an extended warranty. This is a great gift for any occasion, so surprise your family and friends only with high-quality premium jewelry.

Spinel is a mineral of rare beauty and a wide range of colors. The noble shine and variety of shades have made this stone one of the most revered in jewelry. The mineral impurities included in its composition color it red, pink, blue, indigo, violet, gray and black. Parure Atelier gemologist Yunna Alieva talks about why spinel has become fashionable today, why it is valued, and how it competes with the “Big Three” colored gemstones.

Historical incidents

Spinel has been known to mankind since the time of Cleopatra. But before the advent of the science of stones, gemology, it was perceived as a type of ruby ​​or sapphire. The difference between ruby ​​and spinel was first documented in the late 105th century. In the 170th century, many antique jewelry pieces were subjected to detailed analysis, and it turned out that many of the rubies in them were actually spinels. Red spinel served as decoration for the Monomakh cap and the imperial crown of Catherine II. The XNUMX-carat stone was on the crown of French kings. The most famous spinel in history is the “Ruby of the Black Prince”. The stone, weighing XNUMX carats and the size of a chicken egg, which was inherited by the English king Henry V at the beginning of the XNUMXth century, still adorns the British crown.

It’s time

In recent years, spinel has firmly entered jewelry fashion. This is a trend that is noticeable not only in the Russian, but also in the international market. One of the first to use spinel in high jewelry back in the 1980s was the legendary JAR – Joël Arthur Rosenthal. In the 2000s, this trend was picked up by French and American jewelry houses. On the red carpet in recent years, more and more stars are wearing jewelry with spinel. This is due to the growing interest in colored stones. After all, for a long time the jewelry market was concentrated exclusively on diamonds. Traditionally, the “big three” were also quoted: emeralds, sapphires and rubies. But today, the cost of one carat of high-quality red spinel can exceed the cost of an average-quality ruby.

Earrings from Parure Atelier in white gold with diamonds and blue spinel. Saturated red and blue shades are considered the most expensive.

The current interest in spinels can also be explained by the fact that buyers are becoming more knowledgeable, they want something new. The use of diverse color shades and playing with color requires a non-classical design. Thus, when ordering jewelry, the client becomes more and more involved in the process of its creation. And then he wants to tell “stories” about his jewelry: storytelling, popular today, has reached the jewelry sphere.

Benefits of Spinels

Finding a pure, inclusion-free ruby ​​of more than 10 carats, and even the color of “pigeon’s blood” is almost fantastic. Such stones occur once every few decades, and there are no such offers on the market now. But finding a large red spinel that is rich in color and visually pure is quite realistic. In addition, unlike rubies, spinels have excellent shine, which is noticeable both in daylight and in electric light – this stone looks impressive and bright regardless of the light source.

It is also worth mentioning the difference in demand: rubies occupy an important place in Chinese culture and are in demand on the Asian market. In Russia, these stones are perceived with difficulty: many people remember “Soviet rubies” – artificially grown large crystals. Despite the high cost in stores, their value was purely emotional. They were simply passed on to the children. Therefore, it is difficult for a person with a Soviet past to understand why a natural ruby ​​- a small red stone with inclusions – costs so much money. In our country, emeralds are more popular.

And finally, the last advantage of spinel is the price. The Big Three gemstones have been known for centuries. So rubies are, formally speaking, a conservative asset. Spinel is a “young player” in this regard, so its cost is more favorable.

You can choose the “dream spinel” before ordering jewelry with it in the Parure Atelier studios in St. Petersburg, Moscow, Almaty. Remote communication is also possible – we provide clients from the regions with detailed photos and videos in different lighting conditions. After all, in order to form an impression of a stone, you need to pay attention, first of all, not to its weight, but to its visual characteristics.

What’s more expensive?

The peculiarity and advantage of spinel is its wide color palette: this mineral is found in almost all shades, with the exception of yellow and green. The most expensive spinel is a deep red color, neon pink and blue shades are highly valued, followed by berry and wine shades. In recent years, gray spinel with a blue undertone, called “twilight” or “stormy”, has increased in price. The most affordable is black opaque spinel.

Red spinel of Burmese origin is historically the most highly prized. Since 2007, spinel from Tanzania has appeared on the market, and a deposit near the city of Mahenge even gives its own name to the stones of intense pink and red colors.

There are large deposits in Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, and Madagascar. Blue “cobalt” spinel is of exceptionally fine carat and high color intensity, mined from a small deposit in Vietnam, and its appearance on the market causes a stir every time it appears on the market.