Rise of the Spinel
Updated: Oct 18, 2023
Spinels are having a moment in jewellery and I am here for it.
These brilliant and colourful gems have graced some of the most famous jewellery collections in history, passed between dynasties for centuries, yet they have received little airtime compared to other coloured gems… until now.
You could well be asking, what is a spinel and why have I not heard of them before? Don’t worry you’re not alone.
Let’s explore some of the more famous jewellery collections they appear in and why are they gaining popularity in the jewellery market now.
What are spinels?
Spinels are a semi-precious gem with an excellent hardness (only diamonds, rubies, sapphires and alexandrite rank higher on the Moh’s scale) and have a high refractive index, which means they have an excellent brilliance when cut and polished. They come in a huge range of colours including red, blue, lavender, green, grey and vary in depth from deeply saturated tones to light pastel hues.
Unlike the majority of coloured sapphires on the market, spinels don’t require any treatment to improve their colour which means most of their colours are natural. Some even possess colour-change attributes - that’s two colours in one stone, as you move it around, the gem flicks between hues which can look quite mesmerising in real life and videos.
They are much more affordable than diamonds which makes spinels a favourite gem for jewellery designers and buyers alike.
What are some famous spinels?
In ancient times, southeast Asia’s mines yielded exceptional large spinel crystals (the largest being the 500 carat Samarian Spinel), these became the treasured property of kings and emperors, often passing through many hands as spoils of war.
Famous Spinels include the “Black Princes Ruby” which appears on the King of England’s Crown, worn during the recent coronation ceremony in 2023, and the “Timur Ruby” also part of the British Crown Jewels. As the name suggests these spinels were originally mistaken for rubys until they were determined to be a different mineral in 1783, hence their long-standing reputation as a great imposter.
What is driving their demand?
Spinels are rising in popularity largely due to their huge variety of colours, comparative affordability and sizes.
In recent history fashion has driven an increased demand for coloured looks and jewels to match, causing a rise in popularity for these colourful gems. Many other coloured gems, particularly fancy diamonds, fetch eye watering prices so the spinels affordability has given them a popularity push.
Favoured by high jewellery fashion house Bulgari, spinels have featured in a number of their standout collections; most notably the Imperial Spinel Necklace which features the fourth largest spinel in the world, and their 2022 Colour Journey’s Collection, comprising of 20 one-of-a-kind colourful spinel creations..
In an age of mass production (and consumption) there is a rising desire for unique, bespoke looks where people can express their personality. This desire, plus the support of high jewellery houses such as Bulgari, has added to the credibility and favourability of spinels amongst gem connoisseurs all over the world.
What should I look for in a spinel?
Like other gems, spinels are graded according to their qualities of colour, cut, clarity and size. Some spinel colours are rarer and therefore demand a higher price than others, and above 5 carat the cost of spinels rises considerably.
There’s never been a better opportunity to elevate your jewellery collection from monotone to a spectacle of colours using spinels. They make an ideal stone for everyday jewellery. Look out for jewellery designs which include a gradient of colours or simple single colour spinels in engagement rings, dress rings, tennis bracelets or pendants.
May these glorious colours brighten your day.
Mel
Comments