◂ 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
Tools
Research
Exceptional Red Spinels and Fine Aquamarine
Beautifully cut spinel and aquamarine was among the finds at Tucson’s GJX show.
Spinel Inclusion in Spinel
Examination of a pink-purple spinel revealed what appeared to be a spinel crystal inclusion.
Update on Gemstone Mining in Luc Yen, Vietnam
Explores the emergence of the Luc Yen area as a producer of corundum, spinel, tourmaline, and other colored stones.
Fall 2012 Gem News International
A compilation of gem news from around the world, covering topics such as localities, unusual gem materials, market news, new products, discoveries, jewelry manufacturing techniques, and industry trends.
Spring 2004 Gem News International
A compilation of gem news from around the world, covering topics such as localities, unusual gem materials, market news, new products, discoveries, jewelry manufacturing techniques, and industry trends.
Summer 1986 G&G Lab Notes
This section, from the Summer 1986 issue of Gems & Gemology, is a compilation of interesting finds from GIA’s laboratories.
The Elahera Gem Field in Central Sri Lanka
The Elahera gem field currently provides approximately 35% of the gemstones exported from Sri Lanka.
A Status Report on Gemstones from Afghanistan
An overview of the plentiful and various gem materials being discovered and produced in Afghanistan.
'Cobalt-Blue' Gem Spinels
Similarities between natural spinels — with intense blue color — and synthetic material, have led to difficulties in the recognition of the natural stones by traditional methods.
Sri Lanka: The Gem Island
An overview of the many types of gem-quality material, and its inclusions, currently found in Sri Lanka.
Spinel History and Lore
Spinel is a good candidate for the title of “History’s Most Underappreciated Gem.” Some ancient mines that supplied gems for royal courts from Rome to China produced spinel, but it was usually confused with better-known stones like ruby and sapphire.
