Spinel vs. Ruby: The Ultimate Guide

When it comes to striking red gemstones, spinel and ruby inevitably come to mind. As traditional gemstone jewelry choices, these two gems share a historical “connection” due to their similar appearances. In this article, we’ll explore the “connection” between spinel and ruby, their differences, pros and cons, and how to distinguish them, helping you choose the right one for your style or collection.

Spinel vs. Ruby Origin and History

Spinel: Historically, spinel was often mistaken for ruby due to its vibrant red hue. It wasn’t until modern scientific testing revealed their differing chemical compositions that the two were properly distinguished. This explains the historical “connection” between ruby and spinel. One of the most famous cases of mistaken identity is the “Black Prince’s Ruby” in the British Crown Jewels, which was later discovered to be spinel. Spinel is mined in Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Tanzania. Despite being overlooked for centuries, it has now gained increasing recognition among collectors.

Ruby: Ruby is a variety of corundum and is one of the four precious gemstones. It is also one of the hardest minerals, second only to diamonds and moissanite. ruby has been cherished for centuries, holding a prominent place in royal jewelry across global empires. ruby is found in places like Myanmar, Thailand, and Madagascar, with Burmese ruby being especially prized for its vivid “pigeon blood” red color.

Spinel vs. Ruby Color and Appearance

While both gemstones are loved for their deep red color, there are subtle differences in their shades.

Spinel: Spinel exhibits a wide range of red shades, from pale pink to deep red, and even reddish-orange. One of its significant advantages over ruby is its consistently vibrant saturation. The red color in spinel is caused by iron and chromium. Although red is its most famous shade, spinel can also come in other colors, such as blue, purple, and black.

Ruby: Ruby is renowned for its rich red color, ranging from orangey-red to purplish-red. The most valuable ruby possesses a vivid red, often referred to as “pigeon blood” red. Ruby’s color comes from the presence of chromium in its structure.

Spinel vs. Ruby Luster and Clarity

Spinel: Spinel has a vitreous (glassy) luster and excellent transparency. Compared to ruby, spinel’s color is typically more uniform, especially red spinel, which often has fewer inclusions, giving it potentially higher transparency.

Ruby: Ruby is known for its vibrant color and intense luster, often displaying a subadamantine (near-diamond) luster. While most rubies contain solid inclusions, these inclusions are usually considered part of their natural beauty.

Spinel vs. Ruby Treatments and Enhancements

Spinel: Spinel generally does not require any treatment for its color or clarity. Many natural spinels are jewelry-ready without human intervention, which makes them more appealing to some consumers who prefer gemstones in their natural form.

Ruby: Most rubies undergo heat treatment to enhance their color and clarity, a common practice in the jewelry industry to make them more attractive and suitable for the setting. However, untreated natural rubies, especially those with exceptional color, are rarer and more valuable.

Spinel vs. Ruby Hardness and Durability

Durability is a crucial factor when choosing gemstones, particularly for everyday wear.

Spinel: With a hardness of 8, spinel is a highly durable gemstone, suitable for various types of jewelry, including rings, necklaces, and earrings.

Ruby: Ruby has a hardness of 9, making it extremely hard and resistant to scratching. This makes ruby a popular choice for engagement rings and other pieces intended for daily wear.

Spinel vs. Ruby Rarity and Value

Spinel: Spinel was historically undervalued but is now gradually being recognized as an affordable alternative to ruby. While certain spinels (especially rare colors like cobalt blue) can fetch high prices, most red spinels are significantly less expensive than ruby of comparable quality. However, as demand for spinel increases, its prices are slowly rising.

Ruby: High-quality ruby, particularly larger stones, command substantial prices and are rare. ruby, especially the deep red varieties from Myanmar, are extremely scarce and valuable, making them one of the most expensive gemstones in the world.

Spinel vs. Ruby Metaphysical Properties

Both gemstones carry strong symbolic meanings related to vitality, passion, and love.

Spinel: Spinel shares some metaphysical properties with ruby, especially the red varieties. It is believed to boost vitality and renew energy, while also protecting against negative influences. Spinel is said to inspire love and loyalty, though it is considered more calm and stable compared to Ruby’s intense energy.

Ruby: Ruby is often associated with the heart, love, and vitality. In ancient cultures, it was believed to bring protection, vitality, and courage to the wearer. Today, Ruby continues to symbolize love and passion.

Spinel vs. Ruby Birthstone

Spinel: In 2016, spinel was added to the list of birthstones, becoming one of the birthstones for August.

Ruby: Ruby has long been the traditional and sole birthstone for July.

Spinel vs. Ruby Market Trends and Popularity

Spinel: In recent years, spinel has gained increasing attention, particularly in the jewelry-collecting world. Its historical confusion with ruby adds a layer of mystique. As gemological knowledge spreads, more consumers are beginning to appreciate spinel’s unique beauty and relatively affordable price.

Ruby: Ruby has long dominated the market as a symbol of luxury jewelry. Prestigious Burmese rubies can even fetch astronomical prices. Ruby jewelry often becomes a highlight at top-tier auctions.

Spinel Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Diverse Colors: Spinel offers a wide range of colors, including classic red, pink, blue, purple, and more, catering to varied preferences.
• High Hardness: With a Mohs hardness of 8, spinel is highly durable and suitable for daily wear.
• Affordable Price: Spinel is generally more affordable than ruby of the same size and quality.
• Transparency: Spinel is typically very transparent with vibrant colors.

Cons:

• Lower Recognition: Spinel is less well-known compared to ruby, and many people are unfamiliar with it.
• Lower Value for Some Colors: Although spinel comes in various colors, not all of them hold high value.

Ruby Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Symbol of Love: Ruby has long been seen as a symbol of love, making it one of the most romantic gemstones.
• High Value: Especially pigeon-blood ruby, which holds significant value and is highly collectible.
• Rarity: High-quality rubies are rare, enhancing their preciousness.

Cons:

• High Cost: Top-quality rubies are costly, making them inaccessible for many.
• Limited Color Range: Ruby predominantly comes in shades of red, offering fewer color choices.
• Easy to Imitate: Due to its high value, ruby is often imitated, with many fakes present in the market.

Ruby vs. Spinel: How to Choose?

When choosing between spinel and ruby, there are several factors to consider:

• Budget: If you’re looking for a more affordable option, spinel offers the beauty of red without the high price of ruby.
• Durability: Both gemstones are durable, but ruby has a higher hardness, making it ideal for engagement rings and everyday wear.
• Rarity: If you value rarity and the prestige of a historically significant gemstone, ruby may be the better choice. However, if you’re interested in a rare gemstone without the same historical weight, spinel is an excellent option.
• Aesthetics: While both gemstones are stunning, ruby’s fiery red often contains inclusions that enhance its character, whereas spinel has fewer inclusions and more even color.

Conclusion: If your budget allows and you seek something classic and romantic, ruby is undoubtedly the best choice. If you’re looking for better value, spinel is the better option.

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How to Tell Ruby from Spinel?

Without professional equipment, here are three tips to help tell ruby from spinel:

1. Dichroism: Ruby belongs to the trigonal crystal system, producing a pleochroic effect when light passes through, showing clear dichroism. The color will vary when viewed from different angles. Spinel, on the other hand, belongs to the isometric crystal system and has no dichroism, showing a consistent color from all angles.

2. Inclusions: Ruby often contains rich solid inclusions, such as rutile needles, which are aligned in a specific direction. Spinel has fewer inclusions, typically octahedral in shape and more uniformly arranged.

3. Luster: Ruby has a stronger luster, often with a subadamantine sheen. Spinel has a glassy luster, which appears softer by comparison.

If these three tips don’t help you distinguish spinel from ruby, visit a professional gemological institution for testing with specialized equipment.

Final Thoughts

Both spinel and ruby are beautiful gemstones. Whether you choose the more sought-after ruby or the vibrant, more affordable spinel, you’re wearing a gemstone with deep history and symbolic meaning. I hope this article has been helpful to you!