Burmese Spinel

Mogok spinel - historic confusion with ruby, exceptional red and pink colours, and growing collector interest.

burma myanmar mogok spinel red-spinel

Introduction

Burmese spinel from Mogok represents some of the finest spinel available.
For centuries, red spinels were confused with rubies - many famous
"rubies" in crown jewels are actually spinels. Today, fine Burmese
spinel commands premium prices and strong collector interest.

Historic Significance

Spinel's remarkable history:

The Ruby Confusion

  • "Balas ruby" - historic term for red spinel
  • Many crown jewels contain spinel mistaken for ruby
  • Black Prince's "Ruby" - actually 170ct red spinel
  • Timur "Ruby" - 352ct spinel in British Crown Jewels

Modern Recognition

  • Distinguished from ruby only in 18th century
  • Now valued in its own right
  • Premium source: Mogok, Burma
  • Competing source: Mahenge, Tanzania

Mogok Spinel Characteristics

What makes Mogok spinel exceptional:

Colour Range

  • Red: Deep, saturated ruby-like red
  • Hot pink: Vivid, neon pink
  • Pink: Range of pink intensities
  • Other: Blue, violet, orange varieties exist

Quality Factors

  • Clarity: Often very clean
  • Fluorescence: Strong red adds to colour
  • No treatment: Natural colour throughout
  • Single refraction: Good brilliance

Red Spinel

The most valued variety:

Characteristics

  • Fine red colour rivaling ruby
  • Natural, unheated colour
  • Clean material available
  • Strong collector appeal

Market Position

  • Prices approaching fine ruby
  • Premium for vivid, saturated red
  • Burmese origin adds value
  • Limited supply maintains prices

Pink Spinel

Vibrant hot pink colours:

  • Character: Electric, neon pink hues
  • Fluorescence: Strong red fluorescence
  • Competition: Mahenge (Tanzania) produces similar
  • Value: High for vivid, saturated pinks
  • "Jedi spinel": Trade term for finest pinks

Burmese vs Tanzanian Spinel

Burmese (Mogok)

  • Historic prestige
  • Wide colour range
  • Established reputation
  • Ethical concerns for some
  • Premium pricing

Tanzanian (Mahenge)

  • Modern discovery (2007)
  • Exceptional neon pinks
  • Growing reputation
  • Better ethical profile
  • Competitive prices

Treatment Status

A key advantage of spinel:

  • No treatment standard: Spinel is virtually never treated
  • Natural colour: Colour is always assumed natural
  • Advantage over ruby: No heating concerns
  • Collector appeal: Completely natural gems
  • Disclosure: No treatment to disclose

Related Topics

Burmese Gems - OverviewMahenge SpinelSpinel