Spinel: The Gemstone Mistaken for Royal Rubies
TL;DR: Spinel is a durable, naturally occurring gemstone available in nearly every colour, historically mistaken for ruby and sapphire in famous crown jewels for centuries. At 8 on the Mohs scale it's a genuinely practical daily-wear choice, and considerably more affordable than the corundum gems it was long confused with.
The Gemstone Mistaken for Royal Jewels
For centuries, red spinel was mistaken for ruby — the most famous example being the "Black Prince's Ruby" set in the British Imperial State Crown, which was identified as spinel only in the 20th century once gemological testing could distinguish the two. Spinel and corundum (ruby and sapphire's mineral family) are chemically distinct, but visually similar enough to fool experts for hundreds of years.
Colour Range
Spinel occurs naturally in red, pink, blue, purple, orange, and violet, among other colours — one of the widest natural colour ranges of any gemstone. Vivid "cobalt blue" spinel and hot pink spinel are particularly sought after in contemporary fine jewellery.
Durability
At 8 on the Mohs hardness scale, spinel is genuinely durable and well suited to daily wear — harder than emerald or morganite, though softer than sapphire or ruby. It takes a good polish and holds up well over decades of normal wear.
Why It's a Strong Engagement Ring Choice
Spinel offers durability close to corundum gemstones at a meaningfully lower cost, plus a colour range that rivals or exceeds sapphire's. For a buyer who wants a genuinely distinctive coloured stone with real durability credentials, rather than the more commonly chosen sapphire or emerald, spinel is a strong and underused option.
Sourcing Spinel at À Vie Diamonds
We can source certified spinel across its colour range for a bespoke commission. Get in touch to discuss options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is spinel a real gemstone or a diamond simulant? A genuine, naturally occurring gemstone in its own right, unrelated to diamond — not a simulant of any other stone.
Is spinel durable enough for an engagement ring? Yes, at 8 on the Mohs scale, it's well suited to daily wear.
Why was spinel historically confused with ruby? Red spinel and ruby look visually similar without gemological testing, and this confusion persisted in famous crown jewels for centuries before modern identification methods existed.
Last reviewed: July 2026 · À Vie Diamonds