Spinel meaning and stone words
August birthstone added in 2021
royalty's beloved jewel
December 2021,Spinel has been added as a birthstone for August, with the first birthstone revision in 63 years.. The stone words are "passion, success, victory, hope". This gemstone, which has long been confused with ruby, is actually a ``royal jewel'' that has a history of adorning the crowns of the British royal family and the Russian Empire. In this article, we will explain spinel's stone language, its dramatic history surrounding the royal family, its rich color variations of red, cobalt blue, pink, and black, and its appeal as a gift from an expert's perspective.
What is spinel? New birthstone for August in 2021
Birthstone included in revision of National Jewelry Wholesalers Cooperative Association
For a long time, there were two birthstones for August in Japan: "Peridot" and "Sardonyx." However,On December 20, 2021, the National Jewelry Wholesalers Cooperative Association revised its birthstone for the first time in 63 years.Now, ``spinel'' has been officially added as the birthstone for August. As a result, those born in August can choose from three options to choose the jewelry that best suits their sensibilities.
Spinel as a mineral (basic data/hardness 8)
| Mineral name | Spinel |
| chemical composition | MgAl₂O₄ (magnesium aluminum oxide) |
| mohs hardness | 7.5〜8 |
| crystal system | Equiaxed crystal system (octahedral crystal) |
| Main production areas | Myanmar, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Sri Lanka, Vietnam |
| color | Red, cobalt blue, pink, black, violet, etc. |
| luster | Glass luster to gold luster |
| birthstone month | August (added in December 2021) |
spinel isExtremely durable with a Mohs hardness of 7.5-8It is perfect for everyday jewelry such as rings. It has a high refractive index and is characterized by a bright and gorgeous shine.
History of being confused with ruby
Spinel's biggest drama isIt has long been confused with ruby.There is a particular thing. Because the two minerals overlap in origin (they are produced from the same deposit) and have very similar colors, they were not clearly differentiated until the development of mineralogy in the 19th century. Many of the "rubies" that have left their mark on history were later appraised.It was actually spinelIt turns out that.
◀ Return to the parent article “Thorough comparison of three types of August birthstones”Spinel stone words: “Passion, Success, Victory, Hope”
As befits a royal jewel, spinel is imbued with four powerful and positive stone words.
Red spinel symbolizing "passion"
Fiery red red spinel,strong will and passionsymbol of. It has been given as an encouragement to those who are heading for a new challenge or starting a new career. It has been believed since ancient times that it "gives the wearer energy and helps them achieve their goals."
Blue pink spinel symbolizing “hope”
Clear cobalt blue spinel,Hope and intelligence for the futuresymbolizes Pink spinel represents "love and kindness" and "self-affirmation" and is chosen by those who want to take care of themselves and those who want to foster new relationships.
Amulet effect for “talisman” and “avoidance of disaster”
Spinel has been around since ancient times.powerful amulet stoneIt has been carried as a talisman by warriors and travelers. In particular, red spinel is believed to be a stone that protects against evil spirits and brings victory, and there is a tradition of bringing it to battlefields and on pilgrimages.
Spinel is an equiaxed crystal.No pleochroism (a phenomenon where the color changes depending on the viewing angle)It is characterized by No matter which direction you look at it, there is no color blurring and the color remains pure. This is why it has a brightness comparable to diamonds and rubies.
History of spinel | The legend of a gemstone loved by royalty
"Black Prince's Ruby" incident (actually Spinel)
British royal treasure"Imperial State Crown"A huge red jewel adorns the center of theThe Black Prince's Ruby”. This 170-carat megalith has adorned the crowns of British kings ever since it was given to Edward the Black Prince by the King of Castile in the 14th century.
This stone, long believed to be ruby,Scientific testing in the 20th century revealed that it was actually red spinel.This discovery shocked the jewelry world around the world. This is a famous episode that led to spinel being reevaluated as ``a real gem hidden behind rubies.''
This approximately 170-carat megalith has adorned battlefield helmets and the British crown ever since it passed into the British royal family in the 14th century. There is even a legend that he saved Henry V's life at the Battle of Agincourt."Royal Guardian Stone"。
Scientific testing revealed its true identity to be Red Spinel. Spinel is a symbol that has boosted its status as a gemstone that is rarer and has more history than rubies.
Large spinel adorned the crown of the Russian Empire
Another famous one isGreat crown of the Russian EmpireIt is. This crown, created in 1762 for Catherine II, includes:Huge red spinel weighing approximately 398.72 caratsshines at the top. This was also initially thought to be a ruby, but later testing revealed it to be a spinel. It is still kept in the Kremlin Armory in Moscow and is carefully protected as a Russian national treasure.
Reevaluated as an independent jewel in the 19th century
In the late 19th century, with the development of mineralogy and gemology, the chemical composition and crystal structure of ruby and spinel changed.another completely different mineralIt was revealed that. This allows spinel to be re-evaluated as an independent gemstone with its own charm, rather than as a "ruby substitute".
Spinel color variations
One of the major charms of spinel isRich color variationsIt is. We will introduce four representative colors along with their characteristics.
Red spinel (the rarest and most expensive)
red spinel isThe world's highest peak comes from Myanmar's Mogok mine.It is said that In recent years, it is not uncommon for one ct of pure red, so-called "Jedi Spinel," to sell for hundreds of thousands of yen to over one million yen. Because it has been hidden in the shadow of ruby for a long time, market recognition has not yet caught up with the amount of production, and it has the potential to increase in value in the future.
Cobalt blue spinel (popularity has skyrocketed in recent years)
cobalt blue spinel,Cobalt contained as an impurity is the source of color. This is a very rare phenomenon among natural gemstones, giving off a unique electric blue color. It is known to be produced in Tanzania and Vietnam, and as the amount on the market is extremely small, it has a high rarity value, and as its popularity increases, the price is also rapidly increasing.
Pink spinel (popular with women)
Pink spinel from Mahenge (Tanzania)neon pink with fluorescenceSince its discovery in 2007, it has fascinated jewelers around the world. Ayana Spinel from Vietnam is a softer and more elegant pastel pink, and is a popular color choice for engagement rings.
Black spinel (popular in men's jewelry)
black spinel,Strong shine different from onyxIt is characterized by having It is naturally black with no surface treatment required, and exhibits sharp reflections when faceted. Perfect for men's rings, bracelets, long necklaces, and other modern, strong designs.
Recommended occasions to give spinel
As a birthstone for a new era for those born in August.
As the "new August birthstone" added in 2021, it is perfect as a gift for the SNS generation. Another great feature is that you can choose from a wide variety of colors to match your partner's preferences.
For confessions and proposals that express passion
Red spinel, which symbolizes "passion," is a deep red that rivals ruby, but is a more unique choice.I want to propose with one stone that is different from other people.Recommended for everyone.
A gift wishing for success (promotion/opening celebration)
The stone words of "success" and "victory" make it a perfect gift for those who are moving on to a new stage. You can choose according to the occasion, such as dark colors for men and bright reds and pinks for women.
Give the sparkle of a new era with Selby spinel jewelry.
We have a large selection of reused and newly finished spinel jewelry.
You can choose from four color variations, including red, blue, pink, and black.
Care and storage of spinel
Durable with a hardness of 8, perfect for everyday use
The Mohs hardness of spinel is7.5〜8It boasts a hardness that is second only to sapphire (9).Tough enough to withstand everyday wearIt is a gemstone that is more resistant to bumps and scratches than peridot (6.5~7) and sardonyx (6.5~7).
Daily cleaning method
- Wipe after wearing with a soft cloth (microfiber)
- If you are concerned about dirt, gently wash with lukewarm water, neutral detergent, and a soft toothbrush.
- Wipe off moisture thoroughly and dry naturally
- It is basically possible to use an ultrasonic cleaner (but avoid stones with many inclusions just in case)
- Do not use perfume, cosmetics, or hairspray before wearing jewelry.
Precautions when storing with other jewelry
Because spinel has high hardnessThe side that damages other gemstonesIt may become. When storing together with softer gemstones such as peridot, sardonyx, and pearl, be sure toIndividual cloth bags or jewelry case dividersLet's use
Spinel is a gemstone that is often natural and untreated, and unlike rubies and sapphires, which are commonly heat-treated, you can enjoy its original beauty. If the identification book says ``Natural Spinel/No Heat,'' that alone increases the value.
[Reference] For those who own spinel | Value is rapidly increasing
If you have spinel jewelry at home,Now is a good time to assessMaybe. In particular, red, cobalt blue, and mahenge pink spinels are being sold in response to increasing global demand.Prices have increased several times over the years. It is not at all uncommon for a stone to turn out to be a mahenge spinel, given to us by our grandmother and which we thought was a pink ruby.
A specialist buyer assesses the value of spinel
We promise an appraisal based on the latest market trends.
Even if you don't have a certificate of authenticity, we will determine the origin and naturalness of the product and offer you a fair price.
Summary | Spinel is chosen as the “birthstone of a new era”
Spinel is“Jewel of a new era” that became August’s birthstone in 2021. Although it has been hidden in the shadow of ruby for a long time, its essence is the unmistakable "royal jewel" that has colored the British royal family and the Russian Empire.
- 👑 The history of the British crown ``Black Prince's ruby'' adorning the Russian imperial crown
- 🎨 Rich variations of red, cobalt blue, pink, and black
- 💪 Durable with a Mohs hardness of 7.5 to 8, making it safe for everyday use
- 📈 Prices continue to trend upwards due to increasing global demand
``I want to choose a birthstone that is different from other people'' ``I want to own a gemstone that will continue to grow in value'' - Spinel is the perfect stone for you.
Find the spinel jewelery of your destiny at Selby
We deliver carefully selected reused jewelry with new finish and appraisal.
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