Jewelry Lovers

In her magic garden of crystal blossoms deep in the earth, the Earth Goddess cherished a treasure of choicest excellence, to which she gave an abundance of melting colors, as well as high refraction (1.72) and vivid fire (0.02 1), notable hardness (8) and complete absence of cleavage. From the sum of this generous endowment emanated the sprightly spinel, which possibly owes its name to the Greek spinther, meaning “spark.” The Latin word spina means “thorn,” so that an alternative derivation of the name spinel from its pointed crystal habit may also spring to mind. However that may be, one is amply justified in considering spinel as an ideal gemstone in its own right, as are corundum and chrysoberyl, for like them, it possesses the most desirable properties: high refractive index, lively “fire,” and resistant hardness. Of some rarity—especially in good, clear specimens of over 1 o carats—spinel commands a retinue of most striking multicolored varieties, which rival the corundum, beryl, and tourmaline species in almost all hues.

In past centuries spinel was often confused with the similar-looking corundums—rubies and sapphires; but today, when the advanced state of science enables subtle distinctions to be made, its resemblance to precious ruby and sapphire is no longer an advantage. In olden times its luxurious diversity of colors permitted spinel’s admission, under false names, into regalia. The spinel best known in this way is the legendary so-called Timur Ruby, a ruby-red spinel of 361 carats, whose adventurous travels can be traced back to the fourteenth century, when it was stolen in Delhi by the Turcoman-Mongolian conqueror Timur (Tamerlane, 1336-1405). Since 1612 it has shared the same fate as the large Koh-i-noor diamond, since both have always belonged to the same owner. It is remarkable, too, how many owners they have both had. Together they have dwelt in India, in Persia, in Afghanistan, and now they embellish the British Crown Jewels.

Around 185o the East India Company acquired it from the King of Lahore—still with the Koh-i-noor—in order to present it to Queen Victoria of Great Britain. Since then this splendid spinel, flanked by two rubies, has formed the centerpiece of a diamond-set necklace. Another famous ruby-red spinel appears in historical chronicles under the name of The Black Prince’s Ruby. It was a gift from Don Pedro the Cruel to The Black Prince of England. Don Pedro, King of Castile in the fourteenth century, had received information that Abu Said, the Moorish ruler of the kingdom of Granada, possessed an unusually large and beautiful ruby. So greedily did Don Pedro covet this gem that he stopped at nothing to have it brought to him. Unsuspectingly Abu Said accepted Don Pedro’s invitation and appeared at the royal court with great splendor, where he and his train were treacherously struck down. Don Pedro was not permitted to enjoy his stolen goods for long; when he was defeated in battle by his half-brother Henry of Transtamar, he lost his kingdom and fled to Bordeaux to the Black Prince, who was at that time Duke of Aquitaine. The fugitive succeeded in winning over his host to his own cause.

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