Spinel is a gemstone used as an adornment in jewelry. Since the price of this stone is high, recently synthetic spinel is most often used, obtained under artificial conditions and very successfully imitating not only a natural crystal, but also some other gems (aquamarine, zircon, sapphire, topaz, alexandrite). We will tell you more about this stone later.
Origin story
For the first time, the famous traveler M. Polo, who visited the Pamir Mountains in the thirteenth century, spoke about spinel. There was a little-known Kuhilale deposit, where this gem has been mined for about four centuries. Polo called this place "ruby mines" - he confused spinel with ruby and corundum, as did many others.
A few years later, scientists concluded that spinel belongs to a separate group of minerals that has different physicalproperties.
This gem has been revered since ancient times, as it was not only very beautiful, but also a rare mineral, and therefore expensive. In 1762, this gem, which had a unique dark red hue, was crowned with the crown of Empress Catherine II. Also, a stone of natural spinel flaunted in the frame of the famous Cap of Monomakh.
Over the past centuries, the history of the stone has several names - it was called picotite, celonite, scarlet, lal and noble spinel. In Russia, the gem was put on a par with emerald, sapphire and amethyst. Today, spinel is used in jewelry as often as pearls and diamonds.
Why artificial
Currently, a natural gem is very rarely used for making jewelry, and you can hardly see it on the free market. This is due to a number of factors, such as the rarity of the mineral, the high complexity of its extraction and subsequent processing. It is for this reason that synthetic spinel, a stone of artificial origin, is now popular and in high demand.
Outwardly, such a crystal is practically indistinguishable from its natural counterpart, and due to the fact that various pigments are added to it during production, crystals of any shade are obtained. The similarity of synthetic stone with natural is quite high, but in most cases it is still used to imitate other gems.
Spinel is a rather unusual and rare stone, so many legends and superstitions are associated with it. From Latinits name is translated as "small thorn" - spinella or spina, and from Greek as "spark" - spinos. In Russia, the mineral has the same name with the mountain where it was mined.
Types of gemstone
Due to the fact that synthetic spinel contains a variety of impurities, it can easily acquire any color shades (from yellow and pink to purple and black).
Also, subspecies of this mineral can have different transparency - from completely cloudy composition to completely transparent.
Also, spinel is produced in the form of crystals of different sizes, which can be combined into druze.
Mineral value
It is worth noting that not all varieties of this gem are recognized as precious stones and are intended for jewelry production. In the process of research, mineralogists have identified a number of spinel species that are ordinary stones and are not considered precious - these are black and brown gems.
The most valuable is spinel (including synthetic) of orange and red shades, close to ruby in saturation, as well as neon and dark blue crystals. Natural specimens of the stone are quite rare, and their price is fabulously high. Laboratory conditions make it possible to obtain a mineral of the desired size and shade. Especially fashionable now is a gem of a blue hue, close to sapphire or aquamarine.
Under natural conditions, spinel is mined in large deposits of Thailand, Kampuchea,Vietnam. Less significant mining sites are located in Madagascar, India and Australia. The most valuable types of red mineral are mined in Myanmar, and blue - in Sri Lanka.
Synthetic mineral properties
Crystals that are artificially grown have different shades depending on the added coloring impurities. Each type of mineral among specialists has been assigned a specific name:
- degussite - a colorless gem;
- erinide - green synthetic spinel;
- azurlite - blue crystal.
Gemstones obtained artificially are distinguished by high density and cleavage, as well as purity indicators, which are rarely found in natural minerals.
Also, the advantage of synthetic crystals over natural ones is that they do not contain stripes and small bubbles inside, and the growth lines of a curved or broken shape are extremely weakly visible or absent at all. And if the gem still has bubbles, then their sizes are different, and the shape is complex and asymmetric, which creates a certain play of light. Also, two-phase inclusions in the form of flat voids of small diameter are allowed in laboratory spinel, the cavity of which can be filled with gas or liquid, giving them bizarre shapes.
How to distinguish a synthetic mineral
Despite the fact that natural and artificial gems are similar in appearance, they are radically different in composition and properties. Synthetic stone spinel (most of it) consists ofmagnesium and aluminum oxide, since these substances are used as initial components in the laboratory crystallization of the mineral. This property manifests itself in such a way that the refraction of an artificial crystal is much more noticeable than a natural one.
In today's gemstone market for the jewelry industry, blue minerals are in the greatest demand, replacing sapphire, lapis lazuli or aquamarine depending on the shade.
To distinguish a blue artificial analogue from a natural crystal, experts use the Chelsea method, which is as follows:
- A special filter of the same name is used for analysis;
- if, upon closer examination, it is found that the blue gem has a clearly distinguishable scarlet or burgundy reflection, this indicates the artificial origin of the mineral.
This is explained by the fact that the red hue gives cob alt, which is added during cultivation to magnesium and aluminum oxide to obtain blue or blue synthetic spinel.
Scope of application
Despite the fact that the first experiments on growing an artificial crystal were unsuccessful and the result was accidental, scientific research on synthesis continued and quickly succeeded. They served as an impetus for the active promotion of the production of spinel in the laboratory, the study of its characteristics and practical applications.
Todaythis synthetic crystal has become quite widespread in two industries:
- manufacture of devices and instruments - spinel is used as a dielectric and optical material;
- jewelry production - a mineral of bright colors is used as a raw material for the manufacture of jewelry.
A distinctive characteristic of a processed (faceted) artificial stone is the play of light rays, which is practically not inferior to the properties of other stones, such as a diamond. This leads to the conclusion that such synthetic spinel in jewelry often serves as a cheaper analogue of expensive gemstones.
The magical properties of the stone
Since ancient times, beliefs have been known that spinel has quite strong magical properties.
According to them, the stone changes life for the better and is even able to return a desperate person to normal life. However, he can only help a sincere person with good intentions. Also, the gem brings good luck and love, develops a gift that allows you to see the future.
But an evil and greedy person, according to signs, is forbidden to touch the mineral - it can harm he alth and even destroy.
Not only natural stone has such properties, but also synthetic spinel, like a natural crystal, it is energetically connected with three celestial bodies - Jupiter, Venus and the Sun. The impact of the mineral depends on the activity of these bodiesand therefore exhibits different intensities.
The gold setting enhances the influence of spinel, so jewelry made of this metal, inlaid with such a gem, will have the best effect on a person.
Healing properties of the mineral
For the first time, the wonderful healing effect of spinel was described by the famous healer and occultist Paracelsus, who widely used the crushed mineral to treat various diseases.
Modern folk healers claim that this crystal is excellent in the treatment of many diseases.
It is believed that the stone produces a tonic effect, activates blood circulation, cures some skin diseases, helps with vision problems, relieves pain in the joints and muscles. In this case, the color of the crystal has a certain meaning:
- red - has a positive effect on blood circulation, sex life, helps to endure paralysis and strengthens the immune system;
- synthetic light green spinel will help with headache, joint and heart pain, with poor eyesight, normalize blood pressure and restore metabolism;
- pink mineral acts on skin diseases, has a calming effect and improves sleep;
- blue crystal helps with problems with the gastrointestinal tract, lungs, kidneys, liver and endocrine system;
- black stone relieves pain from injuries, increases blood pressure, reduces bleeding and improves well-being.
Zodiac signs and spinel
Astrologers say that the characteristics of the stone dependnot only from color, but also from the signs of the zodiac. Even stars can influence the properties of spinel synthetic stone.
They recommend wearing the crystal in items such as earrings and rings, with the latter on the index or ring finger of the left hand.
The stone is well suited for those born under the signs of Aries, Leo, Sagittarius, Aquarius and Capricorn. For these people, the mineral will improve physical fitness and activate intellectual activity, as well as strengthen the will.
He will add strength and energy to Libra and Taurus, and he will help Pisces to make the right decision.
