Spinel stone: physical and magical properties, who suits the zodiac sign, care tips (69 photos)

Spinel is a red semi-precious stone. In the past, it was often confused with a ruby, since they cannot be distinguished from each other by eye. Only a spectral analysis made it possible to establish that these are two completely different minerals. So, what properties does a spinel stone have, who is it suitable for and how to choose and care for it correctly?

Origin of the stone

The name of the stone is German, but there are two options regarding the origin of the root. According to one version, the word is derived from "spina", which in Latin translates as "thorn". Perhaps this designation is associated with pointed spinel crystals. According to another, the name comes from the Greek word for shine, and this version is also close to the truth.

The first information about mining came from the 9th century; in Europe, the stone gained great popularity after Marco Polo's journey to the Pamirs in the 13th century. In those days, spinel mining sites were called ruby ​​mines. Any stones of scarlet color were then called by one word. Until the 17th century, spinel was called “lal” or “lall”, in Rus' it was called “yakhont”. This gem adorned the imperial and royal crowns.The stone, weighing 398 carats, crowns the crown of Catherine the Great, which is owned by the Diamond Fund of Russia.

In the Middle Ages, there was no technology to distinguish spinel from other red stones. It was only a century and a half ago that differences were finally revealed. At the same time, it turned out that a lot of museum and collection jewelry with rubies turned out to be with spinel.

Mining sites

In Russia, spinel is mined in industrial quantities in the south of the Urals and in Yakutia. Among the world's deposits, Indian, Thai and Ceylon are known. The most valuable stones of rich red color are mined in Myanmar, deposits of rare blue spinel are discovered in Sri Lanka.

Black crystals, which are not used in jewelry, are mined in Australia. One of the largest crystals was found in 1985 in Tajikistan. Its weight was 5 kg 100 g. But the largest gem was found in Tanzania, it weighs 25 kg, and its dimensions are 30x30x25 cm.

Gems are formed under the influence of high temperatures. The ore rocks in which spinel is mined are resistant to erosion. Stones are found in the form of single crystals, mined in placers. The average size is from 10 to 12 carats, which is only 2 grams of net weight. Spinel is mined together with rubies, and it is possible to distinguish stones from each other only after spectral analysis. In jewelry, after cutting, gems cannot be distinguished by eye.

Physical and chemical properties

The chemical composition of spinel is an oxide of magnesium and aluminum.

In some cases, these metals are replaced by iron, zinc or chromium. This does not affect the physical characteristics of the gem, only the hue. Spinel is a hard transparent stone with a glassy surface.On the Mohs scale, its hardness is from 7.5 to 8 units.

The most valuable is red and pink spinel. The richer the shade and the more transparent the crystal, the more expensive the stone. Known varieties:

• Transparent. Outwardly, spinel is similar to diamond, but when cut it does not have the same brilliance.
• Red (ruby) spinel. The hue varies from red to wine due to chromium impurities. The price for 1 carat of such a gem reaches $ 1000.
• Bale ruby. Pinkish shade of red. A beautiful purple tone is given by manganese in the composition of the crystal.
• Almandinovaya. Red or pink with a pronounced purple hue.
• Rubicell. The color varies from pale yellow to orange depending on the amount of iron impurity.
• Sapphire. A very rare variety of spinel from blue to deep blue. Dark blue specimens are valued in the same way as ruby ​​ones.
• Chlorospinel. Rare green gems, in small quantities, were found only in the Urals.
• Ceylonite. Due to the large amount of iron, the stone is opaque, has a brown or brown color. Occurs most often.
• Picotite. Almost black spinel with a touch of chromium.
• Hercynite. Black crystals with dark green tints were found in Yakutia. They are not used in jewelry, but are popular with collectors.

The healing properties of the stone

Spinel contains many valuable minerals for the body - zinc, manganese, magnesium, chromium and iron. These elements are necessary for the health of the circulatory and nervous system, bones. Trace elements improve the metabolism of the body, stimulate the synthesis of hormones and affect the state of health in general. For therapeutic and prophylactic purposes, spinel is ground into powder and consumed orally, diluted with red wine.This gem is also known as an aphrodisiac, so it is not recommended for children and teenagers.

Depending on the therapeutic goals, lithotherapists use different types of spinel:

• Red. Useful for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, improves blood composition. It is also used to strengthen the body's immune system.
• Pink. Acts as a sedative.
• Green. Helps with headaches.
• Blue. Useful for skin and hair, has general strengthening properties.
• Black. Relieves pain, treats joint diseases.

The powder can be used to treat cuts and scratches, it is a natural antiseptic. Despite all its useful qualities, spinel cannot be considered as a separate medicine. This is a dietary supplement that can complement the main treatment.

magical properties

Spinel is a stone whose properties are actively used in witchcraft.

A crystal of any shade other than black can be worn by those who want to add vitality. Many use the talisman as an energy storage. Decoration takes a little energy of the owner, then to share it if necessary.

Spinel helps to improve concentration, it is good for those who decide to meditate. Jewelry with this stone develops the gift of foresight and intuition. This helps to build far-reaching plans and go to your goal without going astray. Wearing such a talisman should be done with caution. Spinel enhances not only the positive features of the owner, but also the negative sides.

The gem is a strong amulet against other people's magic. It also enhances the natural attractiveness and helps in creating a couple. Men wear lal to increase potency.

Black spinel stands apart.This gem is chosen by professional magicians and occultists. Black crystals help both in cleansing and protective rituals, collecting negative energy on themselves, and in inducing damage. Ordinary people should not wear a pleonast, it has too strong an aura. Occasionally, products with this stone can be worn in emergency situations when you need to gather strength.

Zodiac signs

As for spinel and zodiac signs, this stone interacts most harmoniously with representatives of the fire element. This gem is ideal for Lions, it gives more strength, improves health and helps to improve intellectual qualities. You can wear jewelry with lal to Aries and Sagittarius.

Taurus and Libra can wear spinel to promote health and physical strength. In order for the talisman to better reveal its magical properties, the gem is best worn in earrings and rings strictly on the left hand. The ideal metal for framing is gold. To the rest of the signs of the Zodiac, spinel is neutral, only Pisces is absolutely not allowed to wear it.

Compatibility with other gems

Astrologically, spinel correlates with the Sun, Venus and Jupiter. This is a gem of the fire element, it harmonizes well with any stones of Air. In this case, the minerals enhance each other's qualities.

The nature of the gem is changeable, it is able to both help its owner and harm. In order not to enhance the negative characteristics of the spinel, it is best to wear it separately. It is important that the decoration is attractive and unusual, lal loves attention.

How to distinguish a fake

The first thing you definitely should not try to do is to determine the authenticity of the spinel from the photo. You should not buy jewelry or collectible crystals on dubious Internet sites.It is better to come to the store to be able to carefully consider everything and ask for the necessary documents.

You can visually distinguish a natural stone from a fake. Small, not too transparent stones in gold jewelry are most often real. But large crystals with absolute transparency and perfectly uniform tone are fake. In natural stone, with a magnifying glass, you can see microscopic inclusions and a slight heterogeneity of shades.

If you put a red spinel in a glass of water, it will take on a reddish sheen. Small inclusions of air in real natural crystals of the same color as the stone itself. If they are lighter, this indicates a fake. A cheap fake, in addition to the price, will give out fragility and lightness. If you pass another crystal over the surface of such a stone, it will leave a mark.

Synthetic Gem

Synthetic spinel, which is used for technical and jewelry purposes, is essentially not a fake. Crystals are grown in laboratory conditions, in their properties they are no different from those created by nature. Synthetic spinel has not found wide distribution in jewelry. Most often it is used in electronics, since natural deposits simply cannot provide the required amount of material.

How to care for jewelry

Lal is more fragile than ruby, and therefore requires careful care. Jewelry with a gem should not be worn every day. You can’t wash dishes, clean, bathe or sleep in them. Jewelery must be worn with care, as the crystal may crack or shatter from a blow or fall.

Stones should be stored in a dark velvet-lined box in their own compartment.

Do not keep spinel near diamonds, scratches may remain on the surface. To maintain the appearance, the gems should be periodically washed in warm water without the use of chemicals.

Conclusion

Spinel is one of the most beautiful semi-precious stones. The most expensive varieties of the gem in terms of saturation of the red hue compete with rubies. Spinel gives its owner energy, helps to focus on the goal, brings good luck in love. A crumb of this mineral is a powerful biostimulant that strengthens the cardiovascular, nervous and immune systems. The gem is suitable for all signs of the zodiac except for Pisces. Jewelry with a bright red stone is an excellent gift for loved ones, it will emphasize individuality and style.

Photo stone Spinel