Spinel Buying Guide
Master spinel buying with our comprehensive guide covering the 4 Cs, color grading, pricing, origins, and how to identify quality natural vs synthetic spinels.
17 Minute Read
Related Articles
Spinel Gem, Price, and Jewelry Information
Although long known best for being misidentified as ruby, the spinel gem is beautiful in its own right. Its colors,...
Read More
How Do Spinels Form?
Available in many colors, spinels are becoming more popular with consumers. Learn how spinels form and how these gemstones get...
Read More
Trapiche Gems: An Introduction
Satisfying the human desire for symmetry, trapiche gems have a special allure. Learn what makes these rarities so unique in...
Read More
What are Balas Rubies and Ruby Spinels?
For centuries, balas rubies were prized by royalty. Learn what happened after gemologists identified these gems as red spinels instead....
Read More
Latest Articles
800 Years of Mogok: A Celebration in Tenuous Times
As Mogok, Myanmar prepares to celebrate its 800th anniversary, the inhabitants of this prolific gem producing region face an uncertain...
Read More
What is the Average Gemstone Faceting Yield?
What’s the average gemstone faceting yield from a single piece of rough? Learn how to estimate how much material you’ll...
Read More
Pyroxmangite Value, Price, and Jewelry Information
Pyroxmangite grains are rare, seldom clean enough to facet, and difficult to cut. However, when cut, they are extremely beautiful...
Read More
How to Identify Emerald Simulants and Synthetics
Gemologists can separate natural emeralds from emerald simulants and synthetics. Learn about the most common tools and techniques for this....
Read More
Never Stop Learning
When you join the IGS community, you get trusted diamond & gemstone information when you need it.
Get Gemology Insights
Get started with the International Gem Society’s free guide to gemstone identification. Join our weekly newsletter & get a free copy of the Gem ID Checklist!