August 10, 2018

By Isabelle Corvin, CG, Staff Gemologist at Panowicz Jewelers Spinel is an oxide mineral that crystallizes in the cubic structure and has quite the mixed-up history. As of 2016, it is also the newest birthstone to be added to the birthstone list! August babies now have a choice between vivid peridot and alluring spinel. The word “spinel” comes from the Latin word Spinella, which means “little thorn” or “arrow-shaped.” Spinel gems come in a wide range of colors and saturations, though perhaps the most famous (and mistakenly infamous) is the red variety. In ancient cultures, red spinel was always grouped together