1.56ct Tanzanian Spinel, Purple - Emerald cut

• Spinel is a beautiful natural gemstone known for lively colour, strong brilliance and an understated rarity that appeals to collectors and jewellery lovers.
• It occurs in a wide range of colours, including red, raspberry, pink, purple, grey and black, making it useful for both classic and more unusual custom jewellery.
• With a Mohs hardness of 8, spinel is more durable than many coloured gemstones and can be suitable for carefully designed rings and everyday jewellery.
• Fine spinel is often appreciated as an alternative to ruby or sapphire, especially when the colour has a distinctive raspberry, purple or vivid red character.
• We assess spinel individually for colour, cut, clarity, origin and setting suitability, so the stone feels distinctive while still being practical for the intended piece.

Is spinel suitable for an engagement ring?

Spinel can be a good coloured gemstone choice for an engagement ring when the design is sensible and protective. It has a Mohs hardness of 8, which makes it more durable than many gems, though still not as hard as sapphire, ruby or diamond.

Is spinel the same as ruby?

No. Spinel and ruby are different minerals, although red spinel has historically been confused with ruby. Today spinel is valued in its own right for its colour, brilliance and natural beauty.

Is spinel usually treated?

Spinel is often found with attractive natural colour and is commonly appreciated because many stones are untreated. Treatment disclosure still matters, and we assess and describe each stone based on the information available.

What colours does spinel come in?

Spinel occurs in many colours, including red, raspberry, pink, purple, grey, blue and black. This variety makes it especially appealing for clients wanting a coloured gemstone that feels refined but less expected.

Spinel is a gemstone we choose for colour, brilliance and individuality. It can be an excellent option for clients who want a durable coloured gemstone with a less conventional story than ruby or sapphire.

Our spinel selection includes Tanzanian purple spinels, vintage raspberry-red spinel and Australian black spinel. These stones show how varied spinel can be, from soft purple and grey tones through to dramatic dark and vivid red colours.

Where origin and treatment information is available, we disclose it. Many spinels are valued for their natural colour, and untreated stones can be especially appealing when the colour and cut are strong.

For custom jewellery, we consider each spinel by its colour, clarity, cut, size and intended use. A well-chosen spinel should feel distinctive, wearable and honest to the character of the stone.