SPINEL

Spinel is the magnesium/aluminum member of the larger spinel group of minerals. It has a Mohs hardness of 7.5 - 8, a chemical formula of MgAl2O4, and it forms in the cubic crystal system. Named in 1779 by Belgian physician, naturalist, geologist, and mineralogist Jean Démeste, its name likely comes from the Latin spina or spinella, meaning "little thorn," in reference to its sharp and well-terminated crystal appearance, though other theories suggest a Greek origin from the term spinnos, meaning "to spark", or possibly spinthir meaning “to scintillate", an allusion to its fiery brilliance. Spinel can be found in a wide range of colors: pink, red, lavender, violet, green, blue, brown, and black. One of the most famous spinels in the world is called the Black Prince’s Ruby, a 170-carat spinel gem that adorns the U.K. Imperial Crown. The Black Prince’s Ruby is considered the largest spinel gemstone in the world, and once decorated King Henry V’s helmet during battle. For centuries, large spinel like the Black Prince's Ruby, which is housed in the British Crown Jewels at the Tower of London, were mistakenly thought to be the red and blue colored variations of the mineral corundum, and it wasn’t until the year 1783 that spinel was officially designated as a distinct mineral classification. Spinel is found at a number of sites worldwide, including Sri-Lanka, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Myanmar, and Canada. Additionally, gem quality spinel has been found in Vietnam, Tanzania, Kenya, and Madagascar. Interestingly, spinel class minerals are commonly found in meteorites, such as chondrites, Martian meteorites, and lunar meteorites, where they serve as crucial indicators of their extraterrestrial origins, aid by providing formation conditions of pressure and temperature, as well as parent body processes, and even Earth's impact history.

SPINEL METAPHYSICS

Metaphysically, spinel is considered a stone of not just one chakra, but all the chakras! Its wide range of colors means it can facilitate positive energies throughout the chakra spectrum, but it's especially linked to the Root Chakra, where it offers grounding and stability, and the Heart Chakra which offers Love and compassion, while additionally promoting free flowing energy, strength, and balance within the system. Physically, spinel is said to aid the body with healthy blood circulation and coagulation, as well as nervous system wellness and muscular regeneration.