Human Fingerprint

This inclusion in a spinel has the appearance of a human fingerprint! - Photo by Michael Waitzman/GIA

Spinel Colors

Although spinel’s red-to-pink and purple colors are more well known, the gem also comes in soft blues and lavender shades. - Photo © GIA & Tino Hammid, courtesy Gordon Bleck

Fine Pink Spinel

The Southeast Asian country of Myanmar produces fine pink spinel. - Photo by Robert Weldon/GIA, courtesy Pala International

Cut Gem and Rough Crystals

The cut and polished spinel gemstone in the center is from Sri Lanka, while the rough crystals are from Myanmar. The second crystal from the left is an octahedron. The crystals at the left and right of the group are called twinned crystals. - Photo by Robert Weldon/GIA

Bright Pink

This intense, or very bright pink spinel is from the African country of Tanzania. It is expertly cut to bring out the brightest colors. - Photo © Robert Weldon and Edward Boehm, courtesy Edward Boehm, JOEB Enterprises

More Spinel Colors

Red, pink, lilac, and blue are important spinel colors in the gem market. - Photo by Robert Weldon/GIA

“Rose Red” Spinel

Modern cutting brings out the best of spinel’s color and brightness. This very bright “rose red” gem is a very good example.

Asterism in Spinel

Inclusions can cause the star effect in spinel. Do you remember that the star effect is called asterism? - Photo by Robert Weldon/GIA, courtesy Gordon Bleck

“Two Pyramids”

See how the typical spinel crystal is shaped like two pyramids stuck together, bottom to bottom.

Spinel Crystal and Cut Stone

Spinel specimens come in amazing crystals and beautifully cut stones. The larger stone is the crystal, and the smaller is the cut stone. - Photo © Jeff Scovil, courtesy Barker & Co.

High-Quality Spinel

Matched sets of large, high-quality, well-cut spinels are very rare. These gemstones from Tajikistan will be used for a very expensive set of jewelry. - Photo by Valerie Power/GIA, courtesy Pamir Gems Co. Ltd.

Spinel Gem

This 123.14-carat spinel was cut from a 532-carat piece of rough spinel that came from Tajikistan. The rough spinel was almost four ounces, which is large for spinel. The cut stone is also large. - Photo by Shane F. McClure/GIA, courtesy Evan Caplan, Los Angeles