Spinel is the new birthstone, but did you know it is a very old gemstone? It was first owned by the Spanish kings of the 14th century. Spinel has been the most overlooked gemstone for years. There are only a few gemstones that can be found in almost every color of a spectrum and spinel is one of them. It is also known as the new birthstone because in July 2016 American Gem Trade Association named it a birthstone for August. Let us dive deep to find spinel's history, origin, and other exciting facts. We will also try to figure out whether it is a good idea to get a spinel ring?
History and Origin of Spinel:
Spinel may sound like an underappreciated gemstone, but it holds a significant place in history. Some of the early spinels were owned by the successors of Moorish and Spanish Kings, then the Prince of Wales received the stone as payment for victory in a battle in1367. The gemstone is cherished by many English monarchs, including Henry VIII, and other British Royals.
If we talk about the origin of this gemstone, in ancient times large spinel crystals were found in central and southeast Asia. In modern times spinels are discovered in several locations around the world, including pure blue, vivid pink, bright blue, and other varieties.
What Makes It Suitable For Rings?
Broadly 3 factors make spinel a preferred gemstone for rings they are; its hardness, color, and sparkle. Let’s discuss them one by one. The hardness of spinel is 8 on the 10-point Mohs hardness scale, which means that it is a tough gemstone and can be used to make long-lasting jewelry pieces. If we talk about the color, spinel is one of those gemstones which can be found in all the colors of the spectrum, and some of its shades look the same as a ruby or a sapphire. A sparkling gemstone is something that everyone wants in a ring. If you are planning to have a spinel ring, you will get the best sparkle in the superior qualities of blue and red spinel. Spinel can also be considered a low-cost alternative for ruby or sapphire.
What Are The Most Popular Spinel Ring Designs?
Because of its color, a spinel makes a great combination with diamond and other gemstones, this makes it the perfect gemstone for rings. Here are some of the most beautiful and popular spinel ring designs.
This Prong setting red spinel ring is embellished with diamonds. Its unique design makes it an artistic jewelry piece.With a blue spinel, this replica setting looks like the sapphire ring of Princess Diana.
A three-stone setting always looks beautiful with red spinel because its red color goes perfectly with side diamonds.
So, we can say that spinel is a good gemstone to be transformed into jewelry pieces. Its appearance resembles a ruby and a sapphire and because of this, spinel rings are the best low-price alternative to sapphire and ruby rings. So what are you waiting for? Get your August birthstone ring right away and let its design add sparkle to your look
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