Spinel

Spinel takes its name from the Latin spinella, meaning “little thorn,” in reference to the sharply edged shape of its crystals. Long overlooked, it was often mistaken for ruby or sapphire, as its colours can be equally vivid. Today, spinel is recognised as a gemstone in its own right, valued for the breadth of its palette: red spinel, cobalt-blue spinel, lavender and purple spinels, pink and “fancy” varieties, the rare star spinel, and the refined, timeless black spinel. Major deposits are found in Madagascar, Burma, Afghanistan, Vietnam and Tanzania. Spinel has a longstanding connection with royalty: the 353-carat World Tribute is housed in Buckingham Palace; two large spinels belonging to Anne of Brittany once formed part of the French crown jewels before their disappearance; in Russia, a 414-carat spinel crowns Catherine the Great’s regalia, preserved in the Kremlin Armoury. Iran also holds a remarkable collection of around one hundred spinels. Traditionally considered a protective stone, spinel is associated with courage and emotional balance, and is sometimes said to encourage healthy detachment. In contemporary jewellery, its wide range of hues appeals to designers such as Alice Waese and Dorette, who value its clean brilliance, depth and inherently modern character.