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Gemology
Spinel History In Afghanistan
The first references to spinels stretch all the way back to the sixteenth century. There are books that provide additional information. It is known by a variety of names, including "pierre de Balas." Spinel has been mined in Afghanistan from ancient times, according to scientific studies. Marco Polo, the legendary adventurer, wrote about it in his trip journal.
The King of the country bestowed upon himself the honor of being the sole possessor of one. He gave it to other world leaders as a way to brag and demonstrate his superiority. The stone was a symbol of victory in Afghanistan. Due to the fact that it was exploited and exported to foreign countries, it contributed to the country's economic prosperity. It's safe to claim that the majority of Spinels on display at museums originated in Afghanistan.
The King of the country bestowed upon himself the honor of being the sole possessor of one. He gave it to other world leaders as a way to brag and demonstrate his superiority. The stone was a symbol of victory in Afghanistan. Due to the fact that it was exploited and exported to foreign countries, it contributed to the country's economic prosperity. It's safe to claim that the majority of Spinels on display at museums originated in Afghanistan.
6.5 x 6.5 Red Spinel 1.46 cts
GEMOLOGY
The Incredible Spinel Properties
In the nineteenth century, technological advancements enabled us to distinguish between Spinel and Ruby. Both of them has fairly unique properties. If the spinel is cut properly, it can dress up a person and give him an air of grace.
Due to the magnetic properties of spinel, it can also be considered as a guiding stone. It was used by sailors to magnetically align their compasses and navigate the seas. They were able to learn to draw maps that were sufficiently accurate for the historical period by using this stone. This is the origin of modern cartography: few people are aware that it was created by a single stone. Throughout Roman Antiquity, all colored stones were considered to be identical. They were all referred to as "carbunculus." Thus, we cannot fully believe the Romans' descriptions of ruby's qualities because they could very well be attributed to spinels'.
Due to the magnetic properties of spinel, it can also be considered as a guiding stone. It was used by sailors to magnetically align their compasses and navigate the seas. They were able to learn to draw maps that were sufficiently accurate for the historical period by using this stone. This is the origin of modern cartography: few people are aware that it was created by a single stone. Throughout Roman Antiquity, all colored stones were considered to be identical. They were all referred to as "carbunculus." Thus, we cannot fully believe the Romans' descriptions of ruby's qualities because they could very well be attributed to spinels'.
History
Where Can We Find Spinels?
Spinel is a member of the oxide family. It is mined from igneous and limestone rocks. As expected, the primary deposits are located in Afghanistan, Vietnam, Madagascar, Burma, and Tanzania. Wherever a Spinel deposit is discovered, a Ruby deposit is almost certain to be nearby. The stone is referred to in Burma as "anyan nat thwe," which translates as "crafted by the spirits." The stone is hard on the Mohs scale, with a hardness of 8.
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Benjamin Poudevigne
Social Media Manager at GemMatrix
With over ten years of marketing experience, I finally decided to settle down in Bangkok to work in an area that I have always been interested in: the gemstones industry. I'm still learning how the market works on a daily basis, and I enjoy sharing my experience with those who are interested in learning more about gems in general.