All About Stone Spinel

Spinel is one of the rarest and most expensive gems. The cap of Monomakh, the crown of Catherine the Great, the attributes of power of the Iranian rulers are inlaid with this stone. In beauty, it is not inferior to rubies, sapphires and emeralds. Why did the mineral attract the jewelers of the powerful so much? What physical and magical properties does he possess and for whom can he become a happy talisman?

Spinel was first mentioned by the famous 13th century traveler Marco Polo. After visiting the Pamirs, he called the place of extraction of the gem with ruby ​​mines. In olden times, stone was often confused with precious ruby ​​and corundum. For centuries, many red crystals were revered as rubies, until in the 19th century, scientists did the appropriate research and established the truth.

In Russia, spinel is known under the Arabic word “lal” by the name of Kuh-Lal mines, where the stone was discovered for the first time. Powdered mineral was used as a cure for various ailments and to reduce thirst. The gem got its current name from the German word spinell. The crystals are peaked., therefore, scientists have suggested that the word means "spike". According to another version, the word has Greek roots: in one version it means “shine”, in another - “spark”.

In a modern form colored transparent crystals are used in jewelry for the manufacture of jewelry: rings, earrings, beads, bracelets, brooches, rings, tiaras. Natural jewelery of high quality is a rather expensive acquisition.In designer jewelry, lal is often combined with pearls and diamonds. The stone seems to glow at dusk. Aluminum spinel is used in ceramics, in particular in the production of refractory materials, resistant ceramic paints, and glass.

In science, stone is allocated into an independent group of minerals with its own set of unique physical properties. By its chemical nature, it is an oxide having the formula MgAl204. Some of the magnesium and aluminum ions can be replaced by ions of other metals of the same size, while the properties of the mineral remain unchanged. Part of magnesium is usually replaced by iron ions, less often - zinc ions, part of aluminum - iron or chromium ions.

Mineral has a rich color palette. In nature, there is colorless, pink, red, orange, yellow, green, blue, blue, violet and black spinel. For the most part, it is a transparent stone with a bright glass shine., having the following characteristics:

• hardness - from 7.5 to 8 units;
• density - 3.57-3.72 g / cm³;
• the type of symmetry is cubic.

Spinel samples vary significantly in color, transparency, and chemical composition. About her, we can say that this is an ideal stone for a gemologist - a specialist studying gems. The following types of mineral are conditionally distinguished.

• Noble spinel. It includes colorless spinel and transparent varieties with a perfect saturation color: ruby, sapphire, almadine, blue, green spinel, rubicell, ruby-bale.
• Common spinel. It has a high proportion of iron in its chemical composition, so the stones acquire a dark green and black color.
• Chrome spinel. It is distinguished by a thick black color. Here, aluminum was replaced by chrome.
• Ganit. Ions of iron and zinc displaced magnesium.

We’ll talk separately about noble spinel. Only this type of mineral represents jewelry value and refers to semiprecious stones. Ruby spinel has the highest cost. The price for 1 carat of natural crystal reaches $ 1,000. Its rich deep red color is due to the presence of chromium ions.

The stone has the ability to fluorescence. Under ultraviolet light, it gives the red color visible to the human eye.

In second place in value is sapphire variety. Her color is blue, blue. It is not often found in the natural environment, so it is valued so highly.

Ruby bale thanks to manganese, it has a pink-red color with a purple hue. Rubicell - orange-red, yellow stone. It has interspersed iron.

Almadinova - spinel of violet-red color. Ganoshpinel It has a deep blue color with a faint purple or gray-purple hue.

Black crystals of high transparency and dense coloration can also be attributed to the noble variety.. Saturated black Thai hercinitis is valued in jewelry.

A rare mineral with alexandrite effect: the ability to change color depending on the lighting. Most often, synthetic stones have this quality.

Jewelry spinel is mined in placers with single crystals ranging in size from 10 to 12 carats. Sometimes the mineral forms Druze. The richest deposits of expensive gem jewelry are in India, Sri Lanka, the Pamirs and Tajikistan. From the mines of the Pamirs, the largest sample of a mineral weighing 5 kg was brought into the world.

Mounds of red spinel are being developed in the bowels of Mogok in Myanmar. Major miners are Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Brazil. Blue crystals are brought from Turkmenistan, the USA and from Madagascar. Sri Lanka is considered the world leader in the supply of noble black spinel.

Black non-decorative stone is mined in Australia. Deposits of ordinary spinel in large quantities were found in Russia: in the Urals, in the Shishim and Nazyam mountains.

Today it is very difficult to find natural noble spinel on sale due to its rarity, difficulty in extraction and cutting. Scientists have learned to synthesize it. Artificially grown spinel is widely in demand among jewelers. It imitates a natural mineral and other gems: alexandrite, topaz, zircon, aquamarine.

By its properties, an artificial analogue can significantly differ from a fellow of natural origin, and externally they can be distinguished only by experienced professionals. Although you can try.

Several technologies have been developed to artificially produce the mineral. Among them: the Czochralski method, the hydrothermal method and the crystallization method using fluxes. The most common and easiest way to grow spinel remains Verneuil method. Magnesium and aluminum oxides are melted in a specially designed hydrogen-oxygen-oxygen burner. A crystal is formed from the cooled droplets.

To give the desired color and shade, various mixtures are added. Cobalt gives a blue color. Chromium oxide will make the mineral red or pink. If you add heat during melting, a green sample will appear. Thanks to fluoride lead, azure, pistachio, pale blue and golden honey crystals are grown.

Spinel has healing properties. In its chemical composition there are trace elements useful for the human body. The well-known Swiss chemist Paracelsus prescribed a mineral ground to a powder state as a medicine for healing from serious illnesses. Disinfecting, hemostatic and regenerating properties healers knew and skillfully used healers and healers in Russia.

In medieval medicinal treatises it is written: "Lal is useful for rosy cheeks, a healthy stomach, and improved vision." Today, healers practicing alternative medicine and lithotherapists also use spinel to heal the body.

Red spinel will help the body resist viral and bacterial infections during epidemics. She has the power to enhance female and male sexuality and attractiveness in the eyes of the opposite sex. Enhances blood circulation in the body.

Blue mineral will have the greatest benefit in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, as well as in rehabilitation after surgery. Pink spinel used for sleep disorders: insomnia, nightmares.

Green - a stone of the heart. Corrects its work, stabilizes pressure, helps restore vision. Black spinel will provide first aid for injuries, abrasions, wounds, relieve pain and stop bleeding.

Since ancient times, people have noticed the magical properties of the stone and its ability to have a positive effect on humans. It is believed that spinel brings success to its owner in all matters and undertakings.Creates a favorable atmosphere around him, which contributes to the achievement of goals and fulfillment of desires. Even if a person has overtaken a black streak in life, a gem will give faith in the future, fill with energy and help overcome difficulties.

Red spinel is a talisman, more suitable for men. In eastern countries, it was recommended as a remedy for male impotence. Although she is able to help beautiful women in love affairs, find a narrow-minded and build a strong relationship. No wonder her name is the harbinger of happiness. The stone loves active, active business people who make important responsible decisions regarding themselves and other people.

Spinel will save you from troubles on the road, delays and unpleasant situations. The owner of a gem may unexpectedly open the gift of clairvoyance and foreseeing the future, for example, through prophetic dreams.

Mages and sorcerers are attracted to the black mineral variety. They use it for magical purposes during rituals. The mineral helps adherents of the occult sciences to escape from the bustle, tune in to the eternal, and implement large-scale projects. According to the assurance of those who know during the manipulation, the stone should be held with your fingers and in no case should be placed on the palm of your hand. The properties of black stone are such that they can upset the balance of energies in the human body.

Spinel is a stone with its own character. He does not like deceivers, liars, bile, envious and unclean people. He will generously share his energy only with sincere souls with pure and good intentions. The best "clothing" for a gem is a gold rim. It is in combination with this metal that the stone will work at full strength. The ring, having the power of the amulet, is worn on the left hand on the ring or index finger.

Spinel - the perfect mascot for people born under the constellation Lion. He will fill his favorites with energy, strengthen his innate nobility and improve his “royal” character. He favored barking to other representatives of the fire element: Sagittarius and Aries.

Aquarius and Capricorn the stone will help you gain physical stamina, add confidence in your abilities and good mood. Taurus, Libra and Pisces gives you the opportunity to find a happy family, build a successful career, help overcome difficulties and circumvent sharp corners.

Whoever does not fit a stone is Cancer. Lal will lead them into a state of serenity, which will add frivolity, carelessness. May lead to loss of control over life situations and destroy previously achieved. Scorpions using gem as a talisman and decoration should be careful. Spinel will make them "blind" in life. They will cease to see lies, deceit and flattery.

Spinel jewelry requires delicate care. To maintain an attractive and brilliant appearance several simple rules should be observed.

• To avoid damage and scratches the jewelry is carefully wrapped in velvet fabric. The mineral is stored separately from other stones.
• Washes in warm, soapy water, without the use of aggressive household chemicals.
• Ultrasonic and steam cleaning is not recommended.

398.72 carat bright red spinel adorns the Romanovs' main dynastic regalia - The Great Imperial Crown of the Russian Empire. It was made by court jewelers on the occasion of the coronation of Catherine the Great in 1762.From that time until 1917, she crowned the kingdom of all Russian monarchs. The relic is stored in the Diamond Fund and cannot be exported outside the Kremlin.

The treasury of the British Empire holds another magnificent specimen of the mineral with its amazing history of 600 years. In the eastern “Hiraj-i-Alam” (“Tribute to the world”), and in the western "Ruby of Timur" Queen Victoria received from the heads of the East India Company in 1851.

The weight of the mineral is 352 carats. The stone is fixed in a necklace along with other gems. Although the definition of "chest chain" is more suitable for this royal decoration. Surprisingly, over the centuries, it has been possible to preserve the original Indian cut.

On the stones there are letters made in Persian script that informed the world about its history and owners. Among the owners of the jewelry are influential rulers of the East: shahs, padishahs, as well as the famous conqueror Timur-i-Leng (“Lame Timur”), known as Tamerlan. His name also gave the name to the stone.

The owner of another massive ruby-colored stone was Prince Charles of Wales, nicknamed the Black Prince by the color of his armor. He received this stone in exchange for military assistance from the hands of the Castilian monarch Pedro I.

The stone was inherited by the English king Henry V, who had never parted with him. Legend has it that in one of the battles the enemy cut the helmet on the king’s head, but, having stumbled upon a ruby ​​with his sword, could not kill the supreme commander. So the talisman saved the life of his monarch.

About the features of the stone, see below.