Like almost no other gemstone, spinels embody the beauty and variety of radiant colours. With stunning cocktail rings and other creations in lively colour combinations, Gübelin celebrates this prized gemstone.
The outstanding characteristic of spinels is their variety of colours – whether in intensely luminous red, electrifying blue or lively pink – these gemstones glisten in all the colours of the rainbow. Trace elements give spinels their colour. Chromium, for example, creates red or pink spinels, whereby the colour intensity is based on the chromium content. Especially treasured are deep shades of red, which can make them look similar to rubies.
Raphael Gübelin, President of the House of Gübelin, explains, “What I find the most fascinating in spinels is their range of colours and their natural beauty. High-quality spinels are in most cases not treated. With their radiant colours, their purity and great brilliance, they totally captivate gemstone connoisseurs.”
Until not long ago, spinels counted among the lesser-known gemstones, but in recent years, they have become sought after, and their demand has grown appreciably.
History
Spinels have been known since ancient times. But it was not until 1783 that the French mineralogist Jean-Baptiste Louis Romé de l’Isle found out that they comprise their own group of minerals. This led to the discovery that some of the largest rubies in history were, in fact, spinels. The most famous examples include the “Black Prince’s Ruby”, set in the Imperial State Crown, as well as the “Timur Ruby”. Both these spinels, long held to be rubies, are part of the British Crown Jewels. Nowadays, though, it is quite easy for gemmological laboratories to distinguish between rubies and spinels.
This impressive Classic cocktail ring is set with a spinel from Tanzania totalling over 9 carats. The purplish-red spinel is flanked by two mandarin garnets. The red gold ring band is set with pear-shaped mandarin garnets as well as brilliant-cut diamonds, and the designers chose a prominent location for the iconic ruby that glistens within the curved setting of the spinel.
This cushion-shaped spinel comes from Tanzania, where red and pink spinels were discovered in 2007. Based on its extraordinary quality, beauty and rarity, the Gübelin Gem Lab gave this spinel of 9.02 carat a rating of 94.1 Gübelin Points, with the designation “outstanding”.
Pink spinels in bold combinations
This spectacular ring brings together refined cuts and radiant colours in a purist design. Its expressive colours make this ring into a true statement. The central stone is a purplish-pink spinel from Burma (Myanmar) weighing 4.29 carats, while the two lavender-coloured sapphire trilliants complete this red gold ring. The two iconic rubies were sourced in Greenland.
This white gold ring is set with gemstones belonging to a family of colours. The 2.73-carat pink spinel from Burma (Myanmar) is accompanied by two pink sapphire trilliants. The iconic Gübelin ruby adds a glittering red highlight.
These two pink spinels from Tanzania are perfectly paired, each weighing exactly 1.10 carats. Two iconic cabochon-cut Gübelin rubies from Greenland glisten at the centre of the jewellery piece. Two pear-shaped lilac sapphires complete the multi-faceted arrangement of colours and shapes.
The Gübelin Academy offers more information on spinels in its inspiring courses.
Provenance Proof – incontrovertible documentation
These pieces of jewellery have been entered into Provenance Proof which uses decentralised blockchain technology to provide tamper-proof documentation for the journey of the spinel and the creation of the jewellery piece.
Iconic ruby
Rubies, symbolising love and passion, are integral to the House of Gübelin’s “Deeply Inspired” philosophy. Each piece of Gübelin jewellery features a ruby, reflecting the family’s dedication to coloured gemstones.