Red Spinel: Properties, Benefits & Meanings
Red Spinel Overview
Red Spinal was a favorite stone of royal families in Europe and Asia. As a result, royalty-owned collections include it as part of their jewelry.
The Spinel is a beautiful stone and one of the rarest gemstones on earth. The most popular red spinel stones are known as flame spinels.
This gemstone has become especially popular in recent years for wedding rings and other jewelry because of its unusual coloring, but one can also use it to create many different products.
What Is Red Spinel?
Spinel is one of the most popular gems among connoisseurs. Well-formed spinel crystals are in high demand, and collectors prize them for their beauty—back in the day, people sometimes confused these orange-red stones for rubies because they were so beautiful.
The color of Red Spinel is due to small amounts of chromium and has a property called “fluorescence” that causes it to take on the light of other colors and reflect them in the form of Red. Spinel (red and pink) and ruby are the only gems to display this property, which led ancient people to believe they contained sparks of fire.
Some transparent red spinels have come into being over the last few decades because of the arrival of modern science.
The most notable example of Red Spinel is the Timur Ruby or the black prince’s ruby, an incredibly large red spinel weighing over 170 ct that is counted among the British crown jewels. It is the largest known spinel today and one of the most famous gemstones of the present age. Next time you visit London, give maybe you can chance upon it. Some red spinels are also a part of the French Crown Jewels.
Etymology
The gemstone known as red Spinel was first named in the 17th century by French jeweler Jean Baptiste Louis Rome de Lisle. The word “spinel” is derived from spina, Latin for thorn or spine; it’s believed that this name came about because its resemblance to thorns made jewelers think of them when they saw one.
Where Can You Find Red Spinel?
You can find it at the following locations across the world:
Red Spinel Appearance
Red Spinel is a transparent, glass-like gemstone that you can find in various shades of red and pink. It has an eight on the Mohs hardness scale (8) and is typically transparent. The popular color for this stone is magenta-red with small amounts of brownish or purplish tones.
The red stone is said to help people put their differences aside and become devoted to one another. The red color of the gemstone is also associated with longevity, passion, and devotion—traits common in most other red stones.
The most valuable spinel stones are deep red with strong saturation and medium tone.
Red Spinel Physical Properties
| Mineral Group | Spinel |
| Formula | MgAl2O4 |
| Color | Pinkish Red, Red |
| Hardness (Mohs scale) | 8 |
| Refractive Index | 1.710 – 1.735 |
| Fracture | Conchoidal |
| Luster | Vitreous, silky |
| Specific Gravity | 3.54 – 3.70 |
| Transparency | Transparent, Translucent |
Cost and Value
Price: The price of a spinel is determined by its color—a top-quality 5 (ct) Red Spinel might sell for around a tenth the cost of an equivalent ruby.
The price can range from $30-$2200 per ct.
The Four Cs Criteria
Color: The most valuable spinel stones are red, highly saturated, and of medium tone. The color of fine red Spinel gemstone falls somewhere between the orange end of the spectrum and a slightly purplish red, with purer or darker hues considered to be more valuable.
Clarity: Some spinel has beautifully visible inclusions reflecting the gem’s usual octahedral crystal growth, which can appear as groups of tiny crystals resembling human fingerprints.
Cut: Spinel is a versatile gemstone that can be cut into many different shapes; oval and cushion cuts are very popular.
Carat Size: For larger Spinel, prices go up significantly. Larger red stones over 5 carats are hard to find and command high prices.
Synthetic spinel has become somewhat common, and you need to be careful when shopping for a natural spinel so that you don’t get duped.
How To Tell If Red Spinel Is Real?
- To determine whether a red spinel is authentic, place it under a long-wave ultraviolet light. If the stone glows, it’s not real.
- You can check the authenticity of a red spinel by looking at it under magnification. If you see little pockets of air inside, the gemstone is synthetic rather than natural and, therefore, less valuable.
- You can also use electronic gem testers or X-ray fluorescence machines to confirm the authenticity of a red spinel stone.
- A different technical way to determine whether a stone is real or fake is through infrared spectroscopy, in which it’s possible to detect the presence of any impurities.
- One way to check the authenticity of your gem is to have it evaluated by a gemologist.
Chakra Connection
The red spinel gemstone resonates with the root chakra and can help boost stamina, energy levels, and mental stamina. It also improves memory and cognitive abilities.
The Root Chakra: The other names for this chakra are Muladhara and Base Chakra.
This center is located at the base of your spine, between the anus and genitals. It represents our connection with the earth, physical body, and survival instincts.
When this chakra is in harmony with the other chakras, it helps us feel grounded and secure. When this chakra is not in harmony, we can experience feelings of insecurity or be ungrounded.
Meanings and Uses
- Like other red gems such as ruby and garnet, Red Spinel is believed to bring passion into one’s life, promote devotion in a relationship, and encourage longevity.
- The beautiful Red Spinel is associated with the root Chakra, effectively increasing physical energy and stamina. However, Spinel also affects mental stamina, reducing forgetfulness and boosting intellectual power.
- The stunning red spinel crystals are thought to help people heal from traumas and balance their emotions.
- Physically, Spinel can soothe inflammation and nerve pain with its vibrational calming frequencies.
- Red Spinel will help you gain insight into your material or financial problems and the physical strength to keep going to follow through.
- This breathtaking red gem will help you let go of all your negative emotions and self-doubt, replacing them with feelings of optimism and confidence.
How To Clean Red Spinel Jewelry?
- Soak your jewelry for a few moments in warm water and mild detergent. Then, use a soft brush to scrub it gently.
- Using a shaved matchstick or toothpick, you can carefully remove any accumulated dirt and crud. But be gentle; patience pays off when removing the gunk.
- Once you’ve scrubbed the jewelry piece, dip it in your cleaning solution. Then rinse with warm running water.
- Blow or shake the excess liquid off your jewelry and gently polish it with a soft, lint-free cloth.
- Many commercial jewelry cleaners are safe to use, but avoid those that contain ammonia or harsher chemicals.
- It’s suggested that you store it away from other jewelry to prevent damage to softer stones.
- To avoid getting liquid stains on a gem or precious metal setting, try soaking it in a dry maple wood chips bed instead. It works better than clothes and will leave your jewelry free of water spots.
FAQ
What Is Red Spinel Good For?
Red Spinel is a very durable gemstone that’s suitable for everyday wear. You can wear it in all types of jewelry, including pendants, rings, earrings, and necklaces. A good quality red spinel will have a vibrant color and clarity, making it appear almost ruby-like. This beautiful red color makes them particularly appealing for those looking for an alternative to more expensive gemstones such as rubies or sapphires!
Red Spinel is also a very hard gemstone and doesn’t get scuffed easily. Their hardness makes them perfect for use in jewelry that one may regularly wear, such as rings or necklaces. They can even be made into earrings without compromising their durability!
What Are The Healing Properties Of Red Spinel?
Red Spinel is associated with the root chakra, often used to help people feel more grounded and connected to the earth. It’s also good for helping you feel more secure in your surroundings and less likely to experience anxiety or panic attacks. Red Spinel is especially useful for those who have recently gone through a breakup or experienced other types of trauma.
It is a stone of strength and protection. It can help you to connect with your inner calm in times of stress or worry, and it’s said to encourage creativity and original thinking.
How Hard Is Red Spinel?
Spinel is a gemstone with a Mohs rating of 8, making it harder than most other stones but softer than diamond and sapphire.
