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Spinel
The Black Prince's Ruby. The Timur Ruby. For centuries, spinel, the great imposter, masqueraded as ruby in Europe's crown jewels.
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Research
Interview with a Kenyan Miner and Dealer
Miriam Kamau, owner of Mimo Gems Traders Ltd. in Nairobi, transformed from an office assistant to a dealer and miner to a representative of her country on the international stage of the colored gemstone trade.
Designs from Erica Courtney
Erica Courtney has been adorning Hollywood stars for the red carpet for decades. Her eye for color and bringing out a stone’s beauty are immediately apparent.
Synthetic Sapphire and Synthetic Spinel Doublets
Unusual doublets created from two different synthetics are revealed at the Carlsbad laboratory.
Update on Gemstone Mining in Northern Mozambique
Recounts an expedition to Mozambique’s important deposits of ruby, spinel, and tourmaline, which have yet to be fully explored.
Seek the World’s Most Vivid Blue Spinel with GIA Field Gemologists
Join GIA’s field gemologists as they seek Vietnam’s exotic sky-blue spinel.
Quench-Crackled Blue Synthetic Spinel
A synthetic spinel has undergone quench-cracking treatment, possibly to make it appear as a natural specimen.
GIA Lab Reports on a New Cobalt Diffusion Treatment of Natural Spinel
Report on a new cobalt diffusion treatment of natural spinel, using analysis of inclusions, UV-Vis-NIR and EDXRF spectroscopy, and LA-ICP-MS.
Blue Spinel from the Luc Yen District of Vietnam
Offers geological context and gemological characterization of this increasingly popular vivid blue spinel from northeast Vietnam.
Fine Tsavorite and Spinel
Exceptional stones are recirculated and new production is showcased at the AGTA show in Tucson.
Tsavorite Garnet and Mahenge Red Spinel
A discussion of the current demand for tsavorite and spinel in today’s market.
