The facts
What star Spinel actually is
The species behind star Spinel is spinel, MgAl₂O₄; it forms in the isometric system.
Body colour from Cr³⁺, Fe²⁺ or Co²⁺; the four- or six-rayed star comes from oriented rutile or exsolved spinel needles is responsible for the colour — and the chromophore, not the name, is what decides whether a colour is stable.
On the instruments it reads a refractive index of 1.712–1.735 and a specific gravity of about 3.58–3.61, with none cleavage.
Where star Spinel comes from
Commercial material comes from Ratnapura, Sri Lanka, Mogok, Myanmar and Luc Yen, Yen Bai, Vietnam.
Different localities give different colour and different clarity, and the trade prices them differently. We state which one.
How star Spinel is treated
Untreated in almost all cases — heating would damage the inclusions that make the star. Genuine star spinel is far rarer than star sapphire or star diopside, and most 'star spinel' offered is synthetic Verneuil star corundum or a glass assemblage.
We state the treatment on every stone, including when the honest answer is that it cannot be determined. A treatment disclosed is a fact; a treatment discovered later is a refund.
What star Spinel is confused with
Watch for Star sapphire, Star garnet, Synthetic star corundum and Star diopside — these are what turn up sold under this name.
The separation is rarely a matter of opinion: refractive index 1.712–1.735 and specific gravity 3.58–3.61 settle most of it in a minute, and magnification settles the rest.
What star Spinel is used for
The trades that buy star Spinel are jewellery and mineral collecting. They do not want the same thing, and they do not pay in the same unit.
We quote each application in the unit that trade actually buys in, by the carat or by the specimen.
Durability and care
Star Spinel is 7.5–8 on the Mohs scale, with none cleavage.
With no cleavage plane to worry about, the practical limit is abrasion rather than breakage, and it takes daily wear well.
Warm water, mild soap and a soft brush. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners on anything fracture-filled, stabilised, dyed or visibly included.
What star Spinel costs
Expect roughly 100–1,500 USD/ct for genuine well-centred stars, depending on quality.
That is a range, not a quote. Colour, size, clarity, cut and origin move the figure a long way inside it, and the only honest price is one given against a specific stone. Send us what you need and we will price it.
Questions
Is star Spinel treated, and how?
Untreated in almost all cases — heating would damage the inclusions that make the star. Genuine star spinel is far rarer than star sapphire or star diopside, and most 'star spinel' offered is synthetic Verneuil star corundum or a glass assemblage.
Where does star Spinel come from?
Ratnapura, Sri Lanka, Mogok, Myanmar and Luc Yen, Yen Bai, Vietnam. Origin affects price, so we name the locality rather than the country on every quote.
Is star Spinel hard enough to wear every day?
Yes. At 7.5–8 on the Mohs scale with no cleavage plane, it handles daily wear well. The practical limit is gradual abrasion rather than chipping.
How much does star Spinel cost?
Indicatively 100–1,500 USD/ct for genuine well-centred stars. Colour, size, clarity and origin move the price a long way within that, so treat it as a range and ask for a quote against a specific stone.
What is star Spinel confused with?
Most often Star sapphire, Star garnet, Synthetic star corundum and Star diopside. A refractive index of 1.712–1.735 and a specific gravity near 3.58–3.61 separate it quickly.
Related stones
Looking for star spinel?
Tell us the size, the quality and what it is for. We source it, photograph it and quote it — with the locality named.
Ask about star spinel