Spinel
From The Gemology Project
Spinel | |
---|---|
Chemical composition | Mg(Al2O4) Magnesium aluminum oxide |
Crystal system | Cubic |
Habit | Octahedral, contact twins |
Cleavage | Imperfect |
Fracture | Conchoidal, uneven |
Hardness | 8 |
Optic nature | Isotropic |
Refractive index | 1.712 - 1.736 |
Birefringence | None |
Dispersion | 0.026 |
Specific gravity | 3.58 - 3.61 |
Lustre | Vitreous |
Pleochroism | None |
Spinel is a mineral species. For many centuries, most gem spinels were misidentified as sapphire or ruby because they have similar properties and occur in the same geological deposits. The two inch "ruby" in the center of the British Imperial Crown was only recently identified as a spinel! Spinels also occur in a vast array of colors. They are slightly softer than sapphires but still very durable.
The earliest known use of spinels was as ornaments found in Buddhist tombs in Afghanistan. Blue spinels have been found in England, dating back to the Roman occupation (51 BC to 400 AD).