Are you looking for the perfect August birthstone? Well, look no further than Spinel! This beautiful gemstone has a long history and a variety of uses. It is also thought to have healing properties. Please keep reading to learn more about Spinel and its many benefits.
What Is Spinel?
Spinel is a type of mineral that contains magnesium and aluminum. Its formal name is MgAl ₂O ₄, and it forms in cubic crystals. The word “spinel” comes from Latin, specifically the word spinella meaning “spine.” This refers to Spinel’s pointed crystal shape.
What is the natural color of Spinel?
The natural color of Spinel can vary from red to pink, blue, purple, and even black. The most common variety is the deep red type, known as spinel ruby. This stone was often mistaken for a ruby in times past due to its similar appearance.
Physical Properties Of Spinel
Spinel is a beautiful gemstone because of its many physical properties.
1. Composition: Spinel is composed of magnesium and aluminum oxides.
2. Hardness: On the Mohs scale, Spinel has a hardness of 7.5–8.0, making it one of the hardest gemstones.
3. Specific Gravity: Spinel has a specific gravity of 3.58 to 3.61, making it slightly heavier than quartz and lighter than diamond.
4. Refractive Index: The refractive index of Spinel is 1.72-2.16, which helps to give it its brilliant sparkle and luster.
5. Thermal Conductivity: Spinel has high thermal conductivity, meaning it can absorb heat quickly and efficiently.
6. Cleavage: Spinel does not have any cleavage, making it a durable stone for jewelry.
7. Transparency: Spinel can be found in both transparent and opaque varieties.
8. Streak: The streak of Spinel is white.
9. Fracture: Spinel has a conchoidal fracture.
10. Lustre: Spinel has a vitreous (glassy) to adamantine (diamond-like) lustre.
Metaphysical Healing Properties Of Spinel
In addition to its physical properties, Spinel is also believed to possess a variety of metaphysical healing properties. These include:
Help Set Aside Egos
Spinel is said to help people set aside their egos and see the world from a more compassionate viewpoint.
Become Devoted To Goals
Spinel is said to help people become devoted and committed to their goals. It can also help them stay focused in the face of distractions.
Encourage Great Passion
Spinel is believed to help encourage passion in whatever one chooses to do. Whether it’s a career, hobby, or relationship, Spinel can help bring enthusiasm and excitement.
Devotion In Love
Spinel is thought to bring devotion and loyalty to love relationships. It can also help to rekindle the passion lost over time.
Longevity
Spinel is believed to bring a long and healthy life. It also can ward off negative energies that could cause harm.
Physical Energy And Stamina
Spinel is said to help increase physical energy and stamina. It can also help people better manage their workloads.
How To Use Spinel?
Spinel is a versatile gemstone that can be used in many different ways. Here are some ideas:
• Wear as jewelry.
Spinel makes an excellent choice for any type of jewelry, from necklaces and earrings to rings and bracelets.
• Place in the home.
Place spinel crystals in areas of your home to bring a sense of calm and balance.
• Meditate with it.
Hold Spinel in your hands while meditating to help open your mind and invite in positive energy.
• Use as an elixir.
Spinel can be used to make gemstone elixirs that can be ingested or used externally to bring about healing benefits.
• Place in the garden.
Spinel can be used to create beautiful rock gardens that will bring a sense of peace and tranquility.
• Use as an amulet.
A small piece of Spinel can be worn as an amulet for protection against negative energy.
• Create crystal grids.
Create custom crystal grids with Spinel to help manifest your intentions and desires.
How To Cleanse Spinel?
It’s essential to cleanse Spinel regularly to keep its energies strong and vibrant. This can be done in several ways:
• Place it under a full moon.
The energy of the full moon will help to recharge and cleanse your stones.
• Smudge with sage or sweetgrass.
Hold the Spinel in your hands and smudge it with sage or sweetgrass smoke for cleansing.
• Soak in sea salt.
Soak your stones in a bowl of sea salt water for 24 hours to cleanse and recharge them.
• Place on selenite.
Place the stones on top of a piece of selenite overnight to help draw out any negative energies. With regular cleansing, Spinel will remain vibrant, energized, and powerful.
The Magical Powers Of Spinel
In addition to its physical and metaphysical properties, Spinel is believed to possess a variety of magical powers. These include:
• Protection
Spinel can be used as a protective amulet to keep negative energies away.
• Luck
Carrying or wearing Spinel can bring good luck and positive vibes into your life.
• Grounding
Spinel helps to ground you spiritually and emotionally, allowing for greater peace of mind.
• Manifestation
Spinel helps to manifest your desires and intentions more quickly.
• Balance
Spinel helps to bring balance into your life, both mentally and emotionally. Whatever magical powers you may believe Spinel can bring, it is sure to be a powerful ally in any metaphysical endeavor!
Where should I place my Spinel crystal?
Spinel can be placed in any area of your home or office where you would like to enjoy the healing energies it has to offer. A few suggestions include the following:
• Place near the entrance of your home.
Doing so will help to bring a feeling of protection and balance into your space.
• Hold while meditating.
Holding Spinel during meditation can open up the mind and invite positive energies.
• Near your bed.
Place Spinel near your bed to help bring peaceful sleep and an enhanced sense of well-being.
• In the garden.
Spinel makes a great addition to any rock garden, helping to create balance and harmony in your outdoor space.
• On your desk.
Place a spinel crystal on your work or study desk to help keep focus and clarity during the day.
Other Spinel Varieties
In addition to the traditional red Spinel, there are also a few other varieties of this stone that you may want to consider. These include:
Almandine Spinel
– This variety of Spinel is a deep red color and has strong grounding properties.
Flame Spinel
– This variety of Spinel is a bright orange-red color and helps to increase creativity and confidence.
Gahno Spinel
– This variety of Spinel is white in color and helps to bring about a sense of clarity and peace.
Balas Ruby
– This variety of Spinel is a deep pink color and has strong healing properties.
Blue Spinel
– This variety of Spinel is a deep blue color and helps to promote spiritual growth and inner peace.
Picotite Spinel
– This variety of Spinel is a light yellow color and helps to bring about joy and happiness.
Pleonast Spinel
– This variety of Spinel is a deep purple color and helps increase intuition and psychic abilities.
Ruby Spinel
– This variety of Spinel is a bright red color and helps to bring an increase in vitality and enthusiasm.
Rubicelle Spinel
– This variety of Spinel is a light pink color and helps to bring about love, romance, and harmony.
FAQs
Is Spinel gem a rare stone?
For centuries, natural Spinel has been praised for its beauty and rarity. However, in recent years there has been an influx of information detailing the harsh methods used to improve the color or clarity of lower-grade ruby and sapphire. As a result, consumers have become increasingly interested in revealing the unaltered state of Spinel’s natural beauty.
Is spinel gem rarer than diamond stone?
In terms of annual production, natural spinels are rarer than any color of diamond, sapphire, or ruby.
What color spinel gem is the most expensive?
In the spinel world, rarity biggest value. The most highly coveted stones are red, cobalt-blue, hot pink, and orange. Violet, bluish, purple to purple or lavender stones don’t measure up in popularity—or price.
What is the rarest color for spinel gem?
Except for blue, this gemstone comes in every hue imaginable, from red and pink to orange and yellow. The rich cobalt blue color of the stone makes it a highly prized possession, which creates greater value and demand than any kind of Spinel on the market.
Conclusion
Spinel is a gemstone that has been used for centuries. It is the birthstone for August and has a variety of colors. Spinel can be used for physical and metaphysical healing properties. It is also said to be a stone of joy.
If you are interested in using Spinel, there are many ways to do so. You can use it in jewelry or carry it with you as a talisman. Meditate with it or place it in your home. However, you choose to use Spinel, know that it is a powerful tool for healing and manifestation.