We all hate doing nasty jobs and often procrastinate when we have to deliver bad news, but who can imagine how difficult it must have been telling the Queen of England that her beloved Ruby in the crown jewels was not a Ruby at all, but a lesser known gem; a Spinel!

For hundreds of years Spinels have been mistaken for Rubies. Like the “Black Prince’s Ruby” in the British imperial state crown; which is actually a 170ct Spinel and the “Kuwait Ruby” another piece in the British crown jewels which is also a Spinel (352ct)

It is easy to understand why for so long Spinels were mistaken for Rubies, in fact, until the late 19th century, there was no distinction between Ruby and red Spinel, as they look almost identical and are found in the same localities. This is how red Spinel obtained its title as “The Master of Disguise”.

Nowadays, distinctions can be made through hardness and x-ray tests.

They have the same desirable properties, similar chemical structure and even get their red colour from chromium. Spinels seem to glow in natural daylight but with a more pinkie hue than Rubies.

Red Spinel is actually more rare than Ruby, but unlike the latter can be found in large sizes, and are often referred to in ancient texts as Balas Rubies. Balas or Balascia refers to Badakshan in Northern Afghanistan. This is an active gem-producing region, and according to history Badakshan had the biggest and most spectacular “Rubies”. Some of these gems were owned by Tamerlane, the Mongol conqueror, Henry VIII of England, and Peter the Great of Russia.

Now treasured in its own right, Spinel is a favourite of many gem dealers and gem collectors. It has fantastic brilliance, with vitreous lustre and reaches 8 on the mohs hardness scale making it a very durable and strong gemstone to be set in jewellery designs.

Pure Spinel is white and as with many gem varieties it is impurities that provide us with a wide range of colours; not only can this precious gem be found in beautiful rich reds, and sometimes, (although extremely rare) – beautiful blues. You can also find a range of pastel colours of purples and pinks. One of the most spectacular gemstone colours; vivid hot pink - with a hint of orange can be found in Spinels mined in Burma.

Because this crystal is a newly recognised gemstone there is little folklore and legend surrounding its powers, although it has been associated with sorcerers and alchemists alike. There is reference to is use as a talisman to protect the wearer from fire, and as Spinel contains the magnetic mineral Magnetite, it is said that was used to help and guide ancient mariners with navigation.

It is mined in Burma, Sri lanka, India, Tanzania, Madagascar, Australia, Italy, Sweden, Turkey, United States and Russia.

Hardness: 8, Refractive Index: 1.715-1.720