Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Famous Spinel Gemstones

Spinel is probably one of the most mistaken gemstones because of its similarity with precious gemstones. The Spinel Gemstones is seen in colors like red, pink, violet, purple, green, yellow, orange, brown, black, lavender, mauve, greenish blue and blue. The red Spinal used to be mistaken as Ruby for ages which also got this stone a lot of undeserved attention. The most popular and famous of all Spinals is perhaps the magnificent 170-carat red spinel Black Prince's Ruby which adorns the Imperial State Crown in the British Crown Jewels. Queen Elizabeth owned 352 carets Timur Ruby is also equally famous. Another spinel reputed because of its size is the Samarian Spinel weighing 500 carats which is part of the Iranian Crown Jewels. This gemstone has a hole in it and as per the legend this stone is believed to be adorned in the neck of the golden calf mentioned in the Bible which was made by the Israelites for worshiping while Moses was receiving the Ten Commandments. What is great about the Spinels are even though they bear a close resemblance with other Precious Gemstones they are affordable. So if you are on a tight budget but want a good looking gem this may be the one for you.