Spinel (red)
gem · uncommon
Quick facts
- Formula
- MgAl2O4
- Hardness
- 8
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Colors
- Red, pink, orange, blue, violet, gray, colorless
Spinel is a durable gemstone historically confused with ruby in royal regalia. Fine red spinel can rival ruby in color but is optically single and typically less expensive.
No pleochroism, RI ~1.718 (SR), and SG around 3.6. Natural stones may show octahedral growth or characteristic inclusions; many synthetics exist.
Scan yours
Photograph your specimen on arockid.com or in RockSnap / RockID. Three free IDs a day — no card.
Try a live scanComing soon on theApp StoreDownload RockSnap on the App Store — coming soonComing soon onGoogle PlayGet it on Google Play — coming soon
On the App Store, search RockSnap. Links go live when Apple and Google approve the listing. Use the web app today — same account.