What is spinel?
By Jared James · Last updated 21 May 2026
Definition
Spinel is a beautiful gemstone made of magnesium aluminium oxide, found in a wide range of colours including vivid red, pink, blue, lavender, grey, orange and black. It has a long, complicated history of being mistaken for ruby and sapphire; the famous Black Prince Ruby in the British Crown Jewels is actually a spinel. It has been undervalued for centuries because of this mix-up, but today fine spinel, especially Burmese red and vivid blue, commands serious prices. August is now listed as one of its birthstone months.
Frequently asked questions
- Is spinel a precious gemstone?
- Fine natural spinel, particularly vivid red or blue stones from Burma and Sri Lanka, is genuinely rare and valuable, and top-quality specimens rival ruby and sapphire in price. It sat in relative obscurity for a long time simply because it was misidentified, but collectors and jewellers now prize it highly.
- Is black spinel a real gemstone?
- Yes, black spinel is a naturally occurring variety, opaque and jet black, and it is used as a more affordable alternative to black diamond in jewellery. It polishes beautifully and looks striking set in white or yellow gold.
- What is the difference between spinel and ruby?
- Both can be a vivid red, but they are different minerals. Ruby is a variety of corundum, while spinel has its own chemical structure. Fine red spinels can be just as beautiful as rubies, sometimes more so, and historically many famous rubies turned out to be spinel on closer examination.
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