Spinel - The New August Birthstone

Introducing Spinel – New August Birthstone                                    July 18, 2016- Jewelers of America 

The spinel gemstone (pronounced spin-elle) is joining peridot as an August birthstone! The new August birthstone is a magnificent beauty that offers more color options to August babies. Spinel comes in a variety of vibrant colors from soft pastel shades of pink and purple, fiery oranges, and cool hues ranging from powdery gray to the most intense blues imaginable. Learn what makes spinel special and why it's a great choice for August birthstone gifts.

 This is only the third update to the official birthstone list since it was established by Jewelers of America in 1912. Spinel may be relatively unknown to you, but it is well known in the gem and jewelry world. The gemstone has a long and storied history. Since it is often found in shades of deep red and pink, some of the most famous historic gemstones that were originally thought to be rubies are actually spectacular spinels. A legendary example is the “Black Prince Ruby,” actually a magnificent spinel gemstone, on the British Imperial State Crown. 

What Makes Spinel Special

·         Spinel is also the 22nd wedding anniversary gemstone.

·         Spinel has been a lity and wide array of  colors.

·         Making spinel even more attractive is its surprising affordability. For those looking for an                           alternative to higher priced rubies and sapphires, spinel may be the best choice.       

Origin

·         Myanmar is the source of some of the world’s most beautiful spinels, particularly the                                   magnificent pink, red and orange-red colors.

·         Spinel gemstones can be found across the globe, also sourced from Afghanistan, Brazil,                               Cambodia, Kenya, Russia, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand and Vietnam.

Color & Characteristics

·         Spinel comes in a variety of vibrant colors from soft pastel shades of pink and purple, fiery                        oranges, and cool hues ranging from powdery  gray to the most intense blues imaginable.

·         Spinel has glittering optics and is more reflective than ruby. Spinel gems are brilliant when cut               and polished, rivaling the beauty of other gemstones in the same color range.

·         Spinel is a durable gem, with a hardness of 8.0 on the Mohs Hardness Scale. 

Care

·         Spinel does not require special care. Clean it with warm soapy water and a soft cloth and avoid              intense heat as a light-colored stones may fade.

Synthetic Spinel

·         While natural spinel is not generally treated, synthetic spinel is available. Professional                                  jewelers will always disclose if jewelry contains synthetic, lab-grown spinel. Just because                          something is man-made doesn’t mean that it’s not as s natural counterpart. It’s just  not as rare              or valuable.