Featured: The Key To Love Brooch cum Pendant, set with a Certified Red Spinel, from the TATTOO High Jewellery Collection. Crafted in 18k White & Rose Gold.
From royal crowns to modern high jewellery, spinels have long enchanted the world with their natural brilliance and vivid hues.
History & Origin
With a story often entwined with rubies and sapphires, spinels have a long and fascinating origin. For centuries, these gemstones were mistaken for their more famous counterparts, adorning the crowns and regalia of royalty. In fact, some of the most celebrated “rubies” in history turned out to be spinels. These remarkable gemstones are highly treasured for their vivid colours and remarkable brilliance.
The Science Behind Spinels
A Mineral of its Own
Spinels are composed of magnesium aluminium oxide and belong to a distinct mineral group that gives them their wide spectrum of colours - from fiery reds and pinks to blues and purples.
Featured: The Heavenly Purity Rings set with a Certified Red Spinel (left) and a Purple Spinel (right), from the PORTRAITS OF PORCELAIN High Jewellery Collection. Crafted in 18k White Gold.
Unheated Treasures
One of their most appealing characteristics is that majority of spinels are unheated; unlike sapphires or rubies, of which 97% are subjected to heat treatment, spinels rarely undergo treatment because they already display amazing natural colour and brilliance.
This means that most spinels you see are entirely natural, showcasing the gem’s true, unaltered beauty. Hence, spinels have also increasingly become a top choice for collectors who are looking for unheated gemstones.
Famous Spinels
Among the most renowned spinels in history is the Black Prince’s Ruby, a large red gem set in the Imperial State Crown of England. Despite its name, this stone is not a ruby at all but a magnificent spinel.
![The British Imperial State Crown set with the Black Prince's Ruby, which turned out to be a red spinel.](<a%20href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Imperial_State_Crown.png">Cyril%20James%20Humphries%20Davenport</a>,%20Public%20domain,%20via%20Wikimedia%20Commons)
Featured: The British Imperial State Crown set with the Black Prince's Ruby, which turned out to be a red spinel. (Image source: Wikimedia Commons)
Another notable example is the Timur Ruby, a 361-carat spinel now part of the British Crown Jewels. These historic gems highlight how spinels were often mistaken for rubies, earning them the name “The Great Imposter.”
Featured: The Timur Ruby, which is in fact a spinel. (Image source: Royal Collection Trust)
.
Spinels in Modern Gemstone Jewellery
In 2016, spinel was officially added as a modern August birthstone, joining peridot. Its lively hues perfectly capture the warmth and vibrancy of late summer, offering those born in this month a unique alternative to traditional choices. Symbolically, spinels are said to represent energy, renewal, and resilience - making them a meaningful gift for life’s special milestones.
Featured: The Beauty of Life Ring, set with a Certified Blue Spinel, from the TATTOO High Jewellery Collection. Crafted in 18k Yellow Gold.
With excellent hardness (8 on the Mohs scale) and durability, spinels are perfect for high jewellery creations and everyday wear. In recent years, the growing popularity of spinels has also led to the birth of numerous bespoke jewellery creations at Simone Jewels.
Featured: Bespoke earrings inspired by the HANGING GARDENS OF BABYLON High Jewellery Collection, set with a pair of Pink Spinels.
Discover the world of Spinels through an interactive masterclass and our one-in-the-world High Jewellery creations. Book an appointment for a private viewing of our collections.
