Spinel

Spinel

Spinel has been used in used in jewelry for centuries. The earliest known spinel gemstones date back to 100 B.C. to excavations of Buddhist tombs in Afghanistan. Most spinel in antiquity were thought to be ruby or garnet before the advent of modern gemology. Spinel is a mineral species belonging to a larger group of minerals with similar structures known as the spinel group. The spinel group is made up of spinel, gahnospinel, and gahnite. Spinel is the only one in the group widely used in jewelry. Spinel was first synthesized in the 1920’s. Lab created spinel is widely used in class rings and birthstones simulants. Lab created spinel doublets and triplets can frequently be found in antique jewelry.