Spinel is a magnesium aluminum oxide mineral (MgAl2O4). It is a member of a larger series of minerals called the spinel group, whose members are gahnite, hercynite, ceylonite, picotite, and galaxite, with the general chemical formula (Mg,Fe,Zn,Mn)Al2O4. Spinel is the magnesium member of the group, also termed by mineralogists as magnesium spinel.
Spinel occurs in all colors of the rainbow. These gems possess beauty, rarity and durability, the necessary hallmarks of a valuable gemstone. Pink is a well-recognized color variety of spinel. Although it is rarer than pink sapphire, pink spinels would cost a fraction of similar color and quality pink sapphires.
LEGEND AND LORE
In June of 2016, Jewelers of America and the American Gem Trade Association, among the two most prominent organizations in the trade, announced that spinel would be added to the official list of birthstones as an additional birthstone for the month of August, together with peridot and sardonyx.
Spinels are said to extend longevity and to promote love by strengthening the devotion of the wearer to another person and by encouraging passion. Spinels were also used in dark arts to summon demons and protect their wearers from fire.
PINK SPINEL COLORS
The common pinkish colors range from strongly purplish Red to Red to orangey Red with light tone. Darker stones are defined as pink spinel only if their saturation is very slight or slight. The main coloring element in pink spinels is chromium, replacing some of the aluminum ions in the crystal structure. There are trace amounts of chromium in pink spinels. Chromium causes some pink spinels to fluoresce very strongly under long-wave UV light.
PINK SPINEL SOURCES
Most of the red and the top quality pink spinels are found in Myanmar and Tanzania. Myanmar is known for its high-quality red, pink and orange spinels, while Tanzania produces more red wine-like purplish Red colors and the ‘neon’-like pink spinel (from the Mahenge region), which is considered the best of the pinks, resulting in highly vivid saturation without any nuance of grey or brown.
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
Variety: Spinel
Species/Series: Spinel Group [(Mg,Fe,Zn,Mn)Al2O4]
Chemical Composition: magnesium aluminum oxide (MgAl2O4)
Crystal System: Isometric
Color: All colors
Hardness: 8.0
Refractive Index: 1.718 (+0.017/-0.008)
Specific Gravity: 3.60 (+0.10/-0.03)
Properties: SG 3.60 (3.57-3.90) RI is 1.71-1.72, and at times is higher - 1.735 Hardness is 8
Reactions
Major Sources: Burma, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Russia (Pamir)
Grading Information: GEM, AAA, AA, A+, A,
BEnhancement Code: NONE
Specific Gravity: 3.6
Source: 