Red Spinel

What is red spinel?

Red spinel is a gemstone in its own right: a magnesium aluminium oxide that grows as neat, eight-sided crystals, often in the same marble deposits as ruby. Its red comes from traces of chromium — the element that also colours ruby — which is why, for most of history, nobody could tell the two apart. Red spinel meaning, in gem history and in crystal tradition alike, is bound up with that fiery, jewel-bright red.

The Chinese name 尖晶石 (jiān jīng shí), “pointed crystal stone”, describes those sharp octahedral crystals. The finest red spinel comes from Myanmar, with further sources in Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Vietnam and Tajikistan, whose historic mines supplied the great “balas rubies” of medieval courts. At 8 on the Mohs scale, spinel is harder than quartz, and unlike ruby it is usually sold untreated.

Red spinel meaning

In crystal tradition, red spinel is a stone of hope and revitalisation. It is said to renew energy after a draining period, restore enthusiasm and encourage you to keep going when motivation runs low. Spinel is also believed to unblock the chakras and, in crystal practice drawn from yoga, to support the movement of kundalini energy — the vital force said to rise from the base of the spine.

Its history adds another layer. The famous Black Prince’s Ruby, set at the front of Britain’s Imperial State Crown, is in fact a red spinel, as is the Timur Ruby; both were treasured as rubies for centuries. Only in the late eighteenth century did mineralogists recognise spinel as a separate mineral. For many wearers today, that story is part of its appeal: a stone with its own brilliance, whatever name it has been given.

How to wear red spinel

Wear red spinel on your left hand. In crystal practice the left is the receiving side, so red spinel on the left wrist or finger is said to draw its revitalising energy in. Because spinel is so hard, it is one of the more practical red gems for a ring worn every day, as well as for pendants and earrings.

In crystal pairings, red spinel is often combined with garnet or carnelian for passion and drive, and with clear quartz, which is traditionally said to amplify the stones around it. Since 2016 spinel has also been recognised as an August birthstone alongside peridot, so it makes a less expected birthday gem for anyone born that month; our guide to birthstones by month has the full list.

Buying red spinel

Because it looks so much like ruby, red spinel is worth buying with care. Synthetic spinel has been made in laboratories for over a century and is common in inexpensive jewellery, so a large, flawless red stone at a low price deserves a question. Ask your seller plainly whether a stone is natural, and whether it is spinel, ruby or glass; a trustworthy jeweller will be glad to tell you.

Colour matters most. The most prized stones are a pure, vivid red; pinkish and slightly purplish reds are more common and often more affordable. Tiny natural inclusions are normal and can help a gemmologist confirm a stone’s origin. In Singapore, where red is the colour of luck and celebration, a red spinel pendant or ring is a meaningful gift for Chinese New Year, a milestone birthday or a wedding.

Caring for red spinel

Red spinel is one of the easiest gems to live with. At 8 on the Mohs scale it resists scratches from everyday dust, and it has no cleavage, so it is less likely to split than many stones. Its colour is stable in light, and because it is usually untreated there is no coating or filler to protect.

• Clean simply. Warm water with a drop of mild soap and a soft brush will bring back its sparkle; rinse and dry well.
• Store it apart. Spinel can scratch softer stones and pearls, and can itself be scratched by sapphire, ruby and diamond.
• Check settings. For rings worn daily, have the claws checked from time to time so the stone stays firmly in place.

If you like to cleanse your crystals, spinel is comfortable with most methods; see our guide on how to cleanse crystals.