Spinel, unset, from the atelier.
The stone
Spinel may be the most underestimated gemstone in history. For centuries it was taken for ruby — the celebrated Black Prince's Ruby in the British crown is in truth a red spinel.
Today spinel is enjoying a renaissance. Connoisseurs prize its exceptional brilliance, its clarity and a colour range running from vivid red through pink to intense cobalt blue. And it is almost never treated.
Origins
- Burma (Mogok, Man Sin)
- The classic source, and the best. Burmese spinels in hot pink or jedi red are among the most sought-after coloured stones on the market. Cobalt blue spinels from Burma are extreme rarities.
- Tanzania (Mahenge)
- Mahenge spinels in luminous pink to neon rose have caused a stir since their discovery in 2007. The deposits are limited and demand keeps climbing.
- Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Vietnam
- Further sources with characters of their own. Sri Lanka yields fine blues and violets, Tajikistan the historically important reds.
Spinel as an investment
Spinels appreciate by 6 to 8 per cent a year on average, and faster since 2015, as the stone has gained recognition in its own right.
At Christie's the 50.13-carat Burmese “Hope Spinel” made over USD 1.4 million in 2015.
- Almost always untreated — a decisive advantage over ruby and sapphire
- Sharply rising demand at still moderate prices
- Cobalt blue spinels are among the rarest gemstones of any kind
- Mahenge spinels have shown explosive price development
- Limited supply: spinel is mostly a by-product of ruby mining
- The insider's stone — early buyers benefit as awareness grows
Quality criteria
- Colour
- Red (jedi red), hot pink and cobalt blue are the most valuable hues. Luminous, saturated colours command the highest prices.
- Origin
- Burma is the reference for red and cobalt blue, Mahenge for pink and neon rose. Origin is documented on the certificate.
- Clarity
- Spinels are often naturally very clean — eye-clean stones are more common than in ruby or emerald.
- Treatment
- The great advantage: spinels are almost without exception untreated. “No heat” is the standard, which simplifies valuation considerably.
- Size
- Red and blue spinels above 5 carats are rare, cobalt blues above 3 carats extreme rarities. Pink spinels are available in larger sizes.
- Certificate
- GIA, SSEF, Gübelin or GRS with origin. For cobalt blue, confirmation of cobalt on the certificate matters.
The information on this page is provided for information purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results.
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Who you are dealing with
A hundred and eighty years of family trade, personal relationships with the finest gemstone suppliers worldwide, and a buying network I have built over more than a decade. Straight from the source, without middlemen.
I accompany you from selection through certification and storage to an eventual sale. Transparently, independently, in person.