New Acquisitions - Spinel
- Photography by Chip Clark. Gift of Tiffany & Co. Foundation, 2009.
- Photography by Chip Clark. Gift of Tiffany & Co. Foundation, 2009.
Pure spinel is colorless, but impurities give rise to a range of colors, most typically pink or red, but also purple, green and blue. Spinel is a magnesium aluminum oxide and forms when impure limestone is altered by heat and pressure. They are commonly found in occurrence with corundum (ruby and sapphire) and have historically been confused with each other due to their many similarities. Both minerals are hard, yield durable gems, and form in a range of colors. The major sources of spinel gemstones are Burma, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. Other significant occurrences are Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Viet Nam, and Russia. The 14.02-carat spinel from Sri Lanka is exceptional for its intense violet-blue color, unlike any in the National Gem Collection. The size, color and rarity of this gem make it a wonderful addition to the exhibit in the Gem Hall. The beautiful 16.79-carat orangey-pink spinel is from Tajikistan, and is the first spinel from that historic locality in the National Gem Collection.
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