What's That Rock?Spinel
A hard, clear gem found in red, pink, blue and other colors. Famous 'rubies' in old crown jewels were spinels.
How to identify Spinel
- Eight-sided (octahedral) crystals
- Hard: scratches quartz
- Single refraction: no doubled image
Often confused with
- Ruby
- Garnet
- Red tourmaline
- Synthetic spinel and glass
Real or fake?
- Lab-grown spinel is common; a lab report is needed for proof
Is Spinel valuable?
Moderate to high for fine red and pink stones.
Typical retail prices
Cut gemstone$50–1,500per carat
Vivid red and cobalt-blue spinels sit at the top of the range.
Typical retail ranges in US dollars, compiled from public dealer and marketplace listings in October 2026. Real prices vary widely with quality, size and origin. This is general information, not an appraisal.
What changes the price
- Color: vivid red, hot pink and cobalt blue spinels cost the most
- Clarity and size: clean stones are plentiful in small sizes; large ones are very scarce
- Treatment: most spinel is untreated, a point of value; synthetic spinel exists
- Origin: Burmese (Mogok) and Tanzanian material is prized; a lab report helps
Uses
- Jewelry
Care
Durable. Safe to wash.
Identifying a stone from a description or a photo is an estimate. Many stones look alike. Ask an expert or a gem lab before you buy, sell or rely on an identification.
Updated October 2026