Search results
Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
Polyhedral representation of spinel MgAl 2 O 4. Spinel (/ s p ɪ ˈ n ɛ l, ˈ s p ɪ n əl / [7]) is the magnesium/aluminium member of the larger spinel group of minerals. It has the formula MgAl 2 O 4 in the cubic crystal system. Its name comes from the Latin word spinella, a diminutive form of spine, in reference to its pointed crystals. [5]
The mineral ceylonite has the chemical composition of (Mg, Fe 2+) Al 2 O 4, putting it into a group of minerals known as the spinel group, or the oxide spinels. The oxide spinels have a formula of the model [A][B] 2 O 4; where [A] is commonly Fe 2+, Mg 2+, or Mn 2+, and [B] is Fe 3+, Al 3+, or Cr 3+. It is an iron-rich variety of the spinel ...
[4] [5] As such, it is the only gemstone to have been initially identified from a faceted stone. Most pieces of the gem, prior to Taaffe, had been misidentified as spinel. For many years afterwards, it was known only in a few samples, and it is still one of the rarest gemstone minerals in the world. [6]
This is a list of gemstones, organized by species and types. Minerals ... Spinel. Ceylonite (var.) Spodumene. Hiddenite ... Color (beta) Automatic. Light.
A global rediscovery sparked renewed interest in this remarkable gem, often referred to as a "second-chance stone". [citation needed] The color of alexandrite can vary by origin and sometimes helps identify imitations. Generally, the highest quality stones, predominantly green, are found in Africa.
Pleochroism is an extremely useful tool in mineralogy and gemology for mineral and gem identification, since the number of colors visible from different angles can identify the possible crystalline structure of a gemstone or mineral and therefore help to classify it. Minerals that are otherwise very similar often have very different pleochroic ...
Samarian Spinel, the world's largest spinel; Menshikov Ruby, the world's second largest spinel set on top of the Great Imperial Crown of Russia; Timur Ruby, believed to be a ruby until 1851, hence its name; Black Prince's Ruby, the famous spinel mounted on the Imperial State Crown of the United Kingdom
However, although this filter is unable to predictably discriminate between natural and synthetic emerald, it has been subsequently found capable of distinguishing aquamarine, blue topaz, and their blue synthetic spinel simulants, because unlike natural gemstones, blue cobalt-containing synthetic spinels emit a red fluorescence under white light.