Spinel jewelry is for connoisseurs. Long mistaken for ruby, spinel is a gemstone that has lived in the shadow of greater stones and finally deserves to be recognized. The "Black Prince's Ruby" set in the British Imperial Crown? A red spinel. The 361-carat "Timur Ruby" in the Crown Jewels? Another spinel. For centuries, the most beautiful "rubies" in history were actually spinels, and it was only in the 19th century that modern mineralogy made it possible to distinguish them. Far from being a disappointment, this revelation gave spinel its own standing. It is a magnesium and aluminum oxide that crystallizes into perfect octahedra and comes in red, pink, blue, violet, black, and even colorless.
In lithotherapy, spinel is a stone of vitality, regeneration, and renewal. It primarily works on the root chakra (black and red spinel) and the heart chakra (pink spinel), depending on its color. Red spinel deeply revitalizes, restores physical energy, and rekindles passion. Black spinel is a powerful protective anchor. Pink spinel opens the heart with a gentle and joyful energy. It is a stone that helps overcome periods of exhaustion, recover after an ordeal, and regain the desire to move forward.
Spinel pairs well with garnet (enhanced vitality), amethyst (energy channeling), or rock crystal (amplification). For care, spinel is an easy-to-live-with stone with a hardness of 8 on the Mohs scale, just behind sapphire. A rinse with clear water and recharging in sunlight or moonlight are sufficient. It is a durable stone that withstands daily wear very well.