SPINEL

Spinel is found in virtually all the colors due to the impurities present in it, which are responsible for a particular color in spinel. The most popular variety of spinel is red which is colored by chromium and iron. Red spinel for many years was considered as a variety of ruby. Blue spinel is colored by iron and rarely by cobalt. Star stones are rare in tourmaline but can show 4-rayed or 6-rayed star when spinel is cut as a cabochon. Spinel is mainly found in Sri Lanka, Burma and Madagascar. Some other locations where spinel is found are Pakistan, Afghanistan, Australia, Brazil, Sweden, Turkey, Italy, the USA and the former USSR.

Crystal Structure: Cubic

Hardness: 8

Specific Gravity: 3.60

Refractive Index: 1.71-1.73

Colors: Red, pink, violet, yellow, orange, blue, dark green and black.

Luster: Vitreous

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