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Spinel
The Black Prince's Ruby. The Timur Ruby. For centuries, spinel, the great imposter, masqueraded as ruby in Europe's crown jewels.

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Synthetic Sapphire and Synthetic Spinel Doublets
Unusual doublets created from two different synthetics are revealed at the Carlsbad laboratory.

Update on Gemstone Mining in Northern Mozambique
Recounts an expedition to Mozambique’s important deposits of ruby, spinel, and tourmaline, which have yet to be fully explored.

Etch Marks, Negative Crystals, and Etch Tubes in Spinel from Madagascar
A spinel from Madagascar, mixed in with a parcel of blue sapphire, exhibited an array of internal features.
Seek the World’s Most Vivid Blue Spinel with GIA Field Gemologists
Join GIA’s field gemologists as they seek Vietnam’s exotic sky-blue spinel.

“Star of David” Spinel Twin Crystal with Multiphase Inclusions from Mogok
A rare spinel, featuring a Star of David pattern and multiphase inclusions, is examined in Bangkok.
Quench-Crackled Blue Synthetic Spinel
A synthetic spinel has undergone quench-cracking treatment, possibly to make it appear as a natural specimen.

GIA Lab Reports on a New Cobalt Diffusion Treatment of Natural Spinel
Report on a new cobalt diffusion treatment of natural spinel, using analysis of inclusions, UV-Vis-NIR and EDXRF spectroscopy, and LA-ICP-MS.


Blue Spinel from the Luc Yen District of Vietnam
Offers geological context and gemological characterization of this increasingly popular vivid blue spinel from northeast Vietnam.


Exceptional Red Spinels and Fine Aquamarine
Beautifully cut spinel and aquamarine was among the finds at Tucson’s GJX show.

Fine Tsavorite and Spinel
Exceptional stones are recirculated and new production is showcased at the AGTA show in Tucson.








