Spinel may just be one of the most magical of all gemstones. In its array of colors, some of them almost impossible to describe, it offers beauty not necessarily found in other gem varieties.
Mogul flower bud earrings in 18k yellow gold with 14 cts. t.w. black spinel and 0.15 ct. t.w. champagne diamonds, $3,650; Syna JewelsTotem pendant in 22k yellow gold and bronze with spinel, $3,980; Rush Jewelry DesignHeart ring in 20k pink gold with pink spinel, $5,200; Anne BakerNomad Hex stud earrings in 18k yellow gold with 2.6 cts. t.w. spinel and 0.66 ct. t.w. sapphires, $3,500; Sorellina
Good thing, too: With peridot’s particular shade of green not being everyone’s bag, spinel offers those born in August a chance at a birthstone to really fall in love with (multiple chances, given its range).
Baguette bar necklace in 14k rose gold with black spinel, $660; Suzanne Kalan
Amina chandelier earrings in 18k yellow gold with spinel, mother-of-pearl, and diamonds, $12,000; Harwell GodfreyEarrings in 18k rose gold with red spinel and diamonds, $1,800; Nouvel HeritageCuff IV in 18k yellow gold with ethically sourced ebony and spinel, $39,000; Emily P. WheelerRing in 18k yellow gold with 8.66 ct. grayish-purple spinel and diamonds, $16,400; Nicole Mera
We may first and foremost associate spinel with red; it was often confused with, and then thought inferior to, ruby (though I strongly disagree on that front). But the gem’s rainbow of shades—including a deliciously dramatic, inky black—are becoming more mainstream. Spinel is still not as well-known outside of the industry, but awareness of it does seem to be growing. The selection pictured here demonstrates many jewelers’ propensity for using the stone, and, my goodness, do they use it well.
Hand-fabricated earrings in 18k yellow gold with 29 cts. t.w. spinel and 8.86 cts. t.w. aquamarine, $6,340; Amáli JewelryNecklace in 14k yellow gold and blackened sterling silver with 0.85 ct. Burmese lavender spinel and 0.1 ct. diamond, $2,200; Alison NagasueRing in 14k yellow gold with spinel and diamonds, price on request; Michelle OhEarrings in 14k oxidized white gold with black spinel and black diamonds, $2,355; Bondeye Jewelry
Ordinarily, I’m heavy with words—and there is a lot that can be said about this special stone. But why ruin the moment with my brand of verbosity when one only needs to stare openmouthed at this colorful array of the loveliest jewels? Happy birthday to those in August, indeed.
Top: Ring in 22k yellow gold and oxidized silver with purple spinel, purple sapphires, and diamonds, $11,990; Arman Sarkisyan
