Back to gem encyclopedia

Spinel

The Black Prince’s Ruby. The Timur Ruby. For centuries, spinel, the great imposter, masqueraded as ruby in Europe’s crown jewels.

See gem as
Polished
Rough

Tools

Research

Star Spinel with Four and Six Rays

E. Billie Hughes, August 9, 2018

A cabochon displaying asterism is found to be an untreated spinel with two different stars.

A yellowish green glass with numerous wollastonite needles similar in appearance to the horsetail inclusions in demantoids.

Wollastonite in Devitrified Glass Imitating Horsetail Inclusions in Demantoid Garnet

Ungkhana Atikarnsakul, August 9, 2018

A yellowish green specimen with horsetail-like inclusions is found to be glass rather than demantoid garnet.

Quarterly Crystal: Wurtzite Phantom in Quartz

John I. Koivula, August 9, 2018

For the first time, wurtzite is found as an inclusion in gem material.

Colored stone pendants designed by Erica Courtney

Designs from Erica Courtney

Jennifer Stone-Sundberg and Andrew Lucas, May 11, 2018

Award-winning jewelry designer Erica Courtney presents four of her creations.

Tsavorite garnet and red spinel from Miriam Kamau’s mining operation in Kenya

Interview with a Kenyan Miner and Dealer

Tao Hsu and Andrew Lucas, May 11, 2018

Miriam Kamau relates how she became a prominent dealer and miner.

The Geometeer, a synthetic ruby with a hybrid cut by Rex Guo.

Rex Guo: The Science and Art of Recutting Fine Gemstones

Aaron C. Palke and Wim Vertriest, May 11, 2018

Rex Guo describes how he sources and systematically recuts faceted stones to unlock their inner beauty.

Small unheated spinel and sapphire exhibited by Madagascar Imports

Unheated and Unusual Colors

Jennifer Stone-Sundberg, May 11, 2018

Margit Thorndal of Madagascar Imports offers her perspective on the colored stone market.

The gems spell out “The 2000th Gem Stone Design.”

Article

Gemstone ‘Paintings’ Tell Story of a Master Craftsman, Gem and Jewelry Mentor

Jaime Kautsky, April 27, 2018

A jeweler who quietly built a circle of inspiration and influence lives on in generations of GIA-educated jewelers and gemologists.

Starlet in sunglasses above title “Hooray for Hollywood

Article

M.D. Hohenstine’s Gem Displays: The Process of Creating Popular Window Art with Loose Gemstones

Judith Allen Hall, April 27, 2018

Jeweler M.D. Hohenstine’s spectacular window displays were a beloved tradition in downtown Columbus, Ohio, for more than 50 years.

Diaz needs to crouch low as he makes his way through jungle terrain with a backpack on. He wears boots and gloves to protect him on the uncut path.

Article

30-Year Marine Corps Veteran Fulfills Dream of Becoming a Field Gemologist

Jaime Kautsky, January 16, 2018

The rigors and often-harrowing conditions of gemology field expeditions are no match for 30-year Marine veteran with a love of gems.

This Month's

Featured Gems

Peridot

Found in lava, meteorites, and deep in the earth’s mantle, yellow-green peridot is the extreme gem.

Fancy Color Diamond

Dazzling brilliance. Captivating color. These are the planet’s most valued gems.

Diamond

Diamonds are among nature’s most precious and beautiful creations.

Emerald

Emerald is the bluish green to green variety of beryl, a mineral species that includes aquamarine.

Citrine

Citrine is the transparent, pale yellow to brownish orange variety of quartz.

View the Gem Encyclopedia

Spinel

Research

Reviewed

Topics

Topics

Gemstones

Gemstones

Featured Gems

Peridot

Fancy Color Diamond

Diamond

Emerald

Citrine

Spinel

Research

Reviewed

Topics

Topics

Gemstones

Gemstones

Featured Gems

Peridot

Fancy Color Diamond

Diamond

Emerald

Citrine

You Might Also Like

Find a Retailer

Shop the Campus Store

Quality Assurance Benchmarks

G&G Spring 2019 Edition