Buyer's Guide
Spinel has been making a name for itself over the last couple of decades, and demand exceeds supply. Spinel comes in a variety of colours, but the most commercially important are red and pink.
FIND A JEWELLER
Submit your gemstone through your local jeweller.
FIND A REPORT
Verify the information on your report matches what is archived in the GIA report database.
What to look for
The most valued spinel colours are the vivid reds and cobalt blues that remind us why spinel was once confused with ruby and sapphire. Although the most commercially important colours are red and pink, mauve- or lilac-coloured gems are also attractive, and some blue spinel colours can be very valuable.
Clarity Refers To The Inclusions
Pastel colours of spinel are expected to be relatively free of inclusions but saturated reds and blues are rare, so some inclusions are expected. Some gems have beautiful inclusions that reflect the gem’s octahedral crystal growth. They might appear in groups that resemble human fingerprints.
Spinel is most often cut in cushion and oval shapes. When properly proportioned it has excellent brilliance. Because of the scarcity of spinel on the market, most fine-quality rough is cut in non-standard sizes to save weight, instead of in standard industry sizes.
Carat Weight Allows For Precise Measurements
Although the spinels of history are impressively large, this gem is rare in sizes above five carats today. Standard-cut, or calibrated, stones are available, usually in 6×4-mm and 7×5-mm sizes, suitable for centre stones in rings. Commercial qualities are more commonly cut to standard sizes for jewellery.
Spinel Quality Factors: The Comprehensive Guide
Tips & Advice
1. Understand the difference that colour makes.
Look at different colours of spinel side by side to understand the range of qualities available. Pale colours are more affordable than vivid shades.
2. Don’t compromise on cut.
The quality of the cut can make a big difference in beauty and brilliance. Your spinel should sparkle in a lively way, reflecting light back evenly across the entire gem. Poorly cut gems are much less marketable and sell at a discount.
3. Work with a knowledgeable jeweller.
Because spinel is an unusual gem, make sure you choose a jeweller who has gemological knowledge and expertise.
4. When in doubt, get a lab report.
For a significant purchase, consider a report from an independent laboratory like GIA to confirm that the spinel you are buying is natural.
Questions & Answers
How do I know that the spinel I’m buying is natural?
Make sure your invoice specifies that the spinel you are buying is natural. If you have any doubt, a report from the GIA lab will confirm that a spinel is natural.
How do I know if a blue spinel has cobalt in it?
Although cobalt-blue spinels do owe their vivid colour to traces of cobalt, it’s the colour that makes them valuable, not the presence of that colouring agent. If your spinel has a rich saturated blue colour, it is rare and valuable whether or not it contains traces of cobalt.
Does GIA grade spinels?
GIA doesn’t grade spinels. GIA Gemological Identification Reports assess the characteristics of a mounted or loose spinel (weight, measurements, shape, cutting style and colour), say whether it is natural or synthetic, and indicate any detectable treatments.
What’s AAA-quality spinel?
Although individual companies might create their own quality descriptions – like AAA, AA, A – to denote the range of quality of their goods, no standard quality grading scales exist for spinel.
Find out more
Spinel: Questions & AnswersCaring for Your Spinel
Keep your spinel beautiful by following simple care and cleaning guidelines.
Durability
Spinel is durable enough for rings and mountings subject to daily wear.
Care and Cleaning
Warm soapy water is always safe.
Treatment
Spinel is rarely treated, but might have fractures. Only clean fracture-filled gemstones with warm, soapy water.
