WHAT RED GEMSTONE IS RARER THAN #RUBY? RED #SPINEL!

Many of ForEVAgems' clients want a ruby ring but really good, non-synthetic rubies, depending on the size, can be very expensive. So what's a ruby lover with a limited budget to do? Settle for a tiny ruby or synthetic ruby? Is there an alternative?

What they might do instead is consider the gemstone, #Spinel. No, it's not a ruby but if you can find a red spinel ring, you should consider this beautiful gemstone as its deep red variety most closely resembles rubies. But here's the surprising rub: according to the website, Minerals.net, 

"Fine red spinel is actually rarer than ruby of equal colour". 

Wow! So doesn't that mean it'll be even more expensive? Not really...because its rarity prevents jewelry makers from "pushing it", meaning you might find a red spinel ring for 30% less than you'd pay for a similar ruby ring.

Below is an absolutely gorgeous purplish pink/red Spinel and diamond ring we acquired at a Dupuis Estate Auction some years ago. I was so excited when I won it! Even though its colour wasn't deep ruby red, it was spinel...and given spinel's rarity, that was good enough for me:

Superb Designer Signed Pink/Red/Purple Spinel & Diamond Dinner Ring available from  http://www.forevagems.com 

But you see, that's the interesting thing about spinel: it also comes in other colours. One of the loveliest rings we ever sold was a deep blue spinel, similar to this 1940's Blue Spinel ring I found in ONERS shop on ETSY:

1940's Blue Spinel 14k gold ring from Oners on Etsy

Or how about this Purple Spinel and Diamond Ring from GemsTreasuresofGrace on ETSY:

Purple Spinel & Diamond 18k Ring from ETSY

On the other hand, if you're not afraid of spiders,  here's a delightful Boho ring featuring blue spinel that I found in the ErieCanalCollectors Shop at ETSY:

Boho Spinel Spider Ring from ErieCanalCollectors at Etsy

On a parting note, you might be interested in this story I found on Minerals.net where you can see many variations on Spinel gemstones in both finished and raw state. Back in the 1400's, a deep red spinel gemstone, believed at the time to be a ruby, was set in this crown shown below. This became known as "The Black Princes' Ruby". Just goes to show how closely a really good red spinel resembles the more often desired red ruby!

This photo of Black Princes' Ruby Crown as shown  at Mineral.net