How is the Blue Spinel different to the Blue Sapphire?
How is the Blue Spinel different to the Blue Sapphire? Are they both natural gemstones?
Fine quality blue spinels are unlike any Blue Sapphires the regular consumer typically sees in the shops or online.
Clients often ask us: What is the difference between a Blue Spinel and Blue Sapphire?
Blue sapphires exist usually in the pure blue shade, often without any secondary tones.What varies is whether it is a light blue, medium blue, vivid blue, inky blue or deep blue. On the other hand, blue spinels come in a spectrum of blues, often with a secondary undertone or overtone of grey, green, or lilac/purple. This lends a depth of colour to the gem, quite unlike any other Blue Sapphire.
We share below a quick visual example of the difference between a Blue Spinel and a Blue Sapphire. It is quickly apparent that the colour tones of the Blue Spinel and a Blue Sapphire are quite different, yet both gorgeous in their own ways.
Commercial Quality Spinels VS Fine Quality Spinels:
Unfortunately, commercial quality blue spinels are usually lack-lustre, appearing somewhat dull and in an overly dark shade of colour. Common examples are as below.
Often times, a good portion / area of the stone appears to be nearly black or cast in shadow. As a result, you would find it difficult to see the individual facets of the stone being reflected back to the eye. It is possible to see that the stone is blue, but the actual colour is not seen evenly throughout the gem.
On the other hand, fine quality blue spinels will a nice brilliance and lustre, with good amount of sparkle throughout the stone. It will not appear overly dull or cast in dark shadow. Scroll through to see visual examples of fine quality Blue Spinel set in a beautiful 18K white gold setting.
Customisation Process:
Recently customised for a client, below features a stunning and mesmerising spinel in Midnight Blue, set in 18K White Gold and diamonds. Look at the depth of colour on this gem! Mysterious midnight blue so mesmerising one could stare at the stone for hours on end. Notice that most of the facets can be seen from the top of the stone.
As with sapphires, Spinels that are well-cut and eye-clean are not common. Beautiful Spinels are not overcast in shadow nor having areas that lack in colour.
There is something very endearing about blue Spinels. The blue is not the usual “pop” of blue, but an enigmatic blue hue that grows on you and looks more beautiful with time. As is said, in every gem connoisseur’s collection, there is always at least one Spinel sitting in that private collection.
This piece is also design to be in a seamless fit with the wedding band.
It was a delight for us to handcraft such a beautiful bespoke spinel engagement ring.
Would you like to customise a similar piece?
Contact us now at: heritagegems@gmail.com or WhatsApp +65 97716923 and we’d be happy to get you started.
Check out the links below for some inspiration on other types of spinel engagement rings
Photo Credit: From Client, taken by Daniel Sim Photography
Photo Credit: From Client, taken by Jasper Avenue Sydney
