The blue spinel – an underrated gemstone
You can buy red spinel and blue spinel in the IGNEOUS gemstone shop. In addition to these two colors, spinel also occurs in green, pink and purple. Confusion has ensured that spinel is hardly known among laymen in the course of history.
It was often confused with the blue sapphire in particular. More rarely, it was confused with aquamarine, indigolite (blue tourmaline), Paraiba tourmaline, tanzanite and blue topaz.
Among blue spinels, those in cobalt blue are the most valuable. But even cobalt blue spinels are less valuable than the classics among gemstones, such as sapphire, emerald or ruby. That is why correct categorization is very important. You can tell whether a stone is actually a blue spinel or another gemstone by looking at the certificate.
Origin: blue spinel is found all over the world
Spinels are mined all over the world, including Sri Lanka, Tanzania and Myanmar. They have also been found in Madagascar, Pakistan, Australia, Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Europe.
Use: ideal for jewelry with blue gemstones
Blue spinel is well suited for jewelry of all kinds. A goldsmith can create beautiful jewelry for you from the blue stones, which you can wear yourself or give as a gift. As a gift, blue spinel is suitable, among other things, for those born in August who have a preference for the color blue. According to the American Gem Society, spinel is the birthstone of the month of August. You can create beautiful jewelry from a blue spinel from the IGNEOUS gemstone shop.
If you are looking for a relatively inexpensive blue gemstone, you will also find it in spinel.
You can have this blue gemstone made into rings, earrings, necklaces or bracelets. Settings in silver or gold are possible. Combinations with other gemstones or small diamonds are also possible.
Properties: hardness & treatment
Blue spinel is often found in a very pure form. Only a few spinels have inclusions in the form of small cracks. Occasionally, blue spinels have fine rutile needles that form a six-pointed star. These stones resemble star sapphires.
Occasionally, blue spinels are treated with oil. The oil is pressed into the cracks of the stone using a special process to improve the clarity of the stones.
Most common cuts
Blue spinel can be found faceted or in a smooth cabochon cut.
Faceted spinels are available in a round or oval brilliant cut, emerald cut or cushion cut, among others.
