The Spinel

The mineral spinel is somewhat similar to a ruby, but the spinel gem is quite different from the ruby in mineral form. On the hardness scale the spinel rates a number 8. The ruby is a 9 on the hardness scale. While the two gems have some similarities, they have several differences. Spinel comes in various colors, but the most valuable is red. The red spinel is often known as the spinel ruby. The red spinel is so similar to a red ruby in appearance that the two are often times confused. In some cases of fraud the red spinel is sold in place of the red ruby. The spinel is a beautiful gem however, it is never found in very large sizes, but it is a highly prized gem. The spinel is found among the crown jewels of many nations. The spinel comes in many sizes including red, orange, green, blue, indigo, and black and white. Colorless spinels are found on some occasions. Spinel also comes in blue and black, which are considered just as magnificent as the red spinel.