Ever spotted a black gemstone and thought ‘that would be the ideal look for my latest collection of rings’?
We’ve got just the thing for your latest designs. Black gemstones have made a resurgence in popularity, and, although you may have used deeply coloured rubies and sapphires before, you might not have come across naturally occurring black spinel gemstones. Get to know the mysterious black spinel gemstone including its properties, where it comes from, and where you can get it from in different cuts, with our complete guide to black spinel below.
What is a black spinel stone?
Black spinel stone is a rare gemstone made up of hard vitreous magnesium aluminium oxide or magnesium aluminate. Specifically, black spinel is one of the rarest minerals that comes from the Spinel family and is a true gemstone often confused with black tourmaline. It’s said that the name ‘Spinel’ comes from the Latin, ‘spina’ meaning thorn – this refers to the sharp crystal formations it’s made up of.
What are the properties of black spinel stones?
- Mohs rating: 8 on the hardness scale
- Character: Mostly found as water worn pebbles, they can also occur as octahedral crystal formations
- Luster: Vitreous
- Clarity: Good quality spinel should have no inclusions but when inclusions occur, a star effect (asterism) can be the result
- Chemical treatment: Not usually required although lighter coloured Spinel stones may require chemical treatment
- Colour: Aside from the deep black hue, Spinel stones also occur in a range of colours, including rich reds, pinks, purples, light to dark blue tones, and amber and yellow hues
Where does black spinel come from?
Black spinel is usually mined along with ruby and sapphire, which is why they share so many similar properties. Spinel is most commonly found and mined in Cambodia, Burma, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. Although traces of Spinel have been found across Brazil, Afghanistan, Madagascar, Nepal and Nigeria.
How valuable is black spinel?
The black spinel stone, although rare, is not considered as valuable to the jewellery trade as you may think. It is often confused with rubies and sapphires during the mining process, so is not as frequently used by jewellers, nor sought after by consumers as much as the classic red ruby for example. Faceted spinel stones are considered more valuable than the more commonly found corundum formations of the stone. Unsightly inclusions will also bring down the value of the stone considerably.
Is black spinel naturally occurring?
Yes – almost all spinel stones are formed by metamorphic activity that occurs when molten rock combines with limestone or dolomites, leaving behind a deposit that resembles a durable mineral within the rock. This mineral is then mined to leave behind a rare black gemstone that has similar qualities to rubies and sapphires.
How to identify black spinel
Although Spinel is often mistaken for rubies and sapphires, it is possible to distinguish these from other gemstones just by the look of the stone. Black spinel is highly reflective and does not feature the same metallic overtone that many other stones do. In fact, black diamond tends to have a more metallic reflection than spinel and is harder on the Mohs scale (10). Due to the difference in hardness, Spinel is much easier to manipulate and is most commonly seen in faceted cuts – square, oval, pear, cushion, and intricate round cuts are often created with black spinel gemstones. Spinel stones that naturally feature asterism are cut en cabochon to enhance the star-like look of the stone.
How to care for black spinel gemstones
Spinel stones can easily be cared for due to their hardness and durability – polishing will not result in scratches on the surface of the stone due to its high level on the Mohs scale. To clean the Spinel stones you’re working with, simply use a soft cloth along with soapy water and remember to rinse thoroughly to remove any soapy residue. Cleaning with an ultrasonic cleaner is not recommended, as is the case with most other gemstones. And when it comes to storing your newly created pieces, try to store each one separately with a soft cloth to avoid any scrapes or scratches occurring if the stones are in transit or storage.
Where to buy black spinel gemstones
Black spinel gemstones may have a place in your latest designs, so if you’re interested in trialing them, there’s no better quality than the range of Preciosa Genuine Spinel Gemstones. With round cuts available in different sizes, the latest Spinel range from Preciosa makes stone setting simple. Take a look at our latest Preciosa Fine Jewelry Stone range including elegantly cut black spinel stones.
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