Spinel
Spinel is a magnesium aluminium oxide that grows in the same marble deposits as ruby, and for centuries the finest red spinels in the historic crown jewels of Europe and Asia were catalogued as rubies. It is singly refractive, it is normally untreated, and it occurs in red, hot pink, vivid orange red, blue, violet, grey and near black. Its combination of brightness, durability and a clean untreated supply has moved it from a substitute stone to a collector and designer material in its own right, and it is used in fine jewellery across every colour it produces.
Listed spinel markets
Each line is a grade at a delivery point. Open one for its full specification and terms.
Grades
Spinel is bought on colour and on the fact that it is almost always untreated, which is stated on the contract rather than assumed. The species, the colour description and the treatment declaration are the terms the price is agreed against.
Species, variety and identification
8 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| SpeciesSpinel, confirmed by gemmological testing | Magnesium aluminium oxide, confirmed against the constants of the species. The historic confusion with ruby makes positive identification the first term of every contract. |
| Refractive indexReported | Measured on a refractometer. Spinel is singly refractive, which separates it immediately from corundum. |
| Specific gravityReported | Measured hydrostatically, confirming the species. |
| HardnessReported on the Mohs scale | High enough for everyday wear, which is part of what has moved spinel into mainstream jewellery. |
| Optical characterSingly refractive, with any anomalous double refraction described | Isotropic, with strain patterns as an identification feature. Spinel shows no pleochroism, so orientation does not change the face up colour as it does in corundum. |
| FluorescenceDescribed, under long and short wave ultraviolet | Chromium bearing red and pink spinel fluoresces strongly, which contributes to the face up glow and is an identification indicator. |
| Absorption featuresDescribed, against the named laboratory method | The spectral features that separate natural from synthetic spinel and that identify the colouring element. |
| Colouring elementChromium for red and pink, iron for blue and grey, cobalt for the vivid blue material | Cobalt blue spinel is a distinct and much scarcer product than iron blue spinel and is priced separately. |
Colour
7 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| Colour groupDeclared, as red, pink, orange red, blue, violet, purple, grey or black | Each colour group trades separately. Vivid red, hot pink and cobalt blue are the premium groups. |
| HueDescribed, with the primary and any secondary hue named | The modifier matters as much as the primary hue, particularly the difference between a pure red and an orange red. |
| ToneDescribed, from light to dark | Medium to medium dark tone in red carries the saturation. |
| SaturationDescribed, from weak to vivid | The dominant value term across every colour group. |
| Cobalt content indicationDeclared, where a blue stone is offered as cobalt spinel | Confirmed by the laboratory against the spectral and chemical evidence, because cobalt blue and iron blue are separate markets. |
| Fluorescence contributionDescribed | How much the chromium fluorescence adds to the face up colour in the red and pink material. |
| Lighting conditionDeclared | Assessed under daylight equivalent lighting, with the incandescent appearance noted. |
Clarity and inclusions
5 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| Clarity typeType two, under the standard clarity classification | Spinel is expected to carry some inclusions, though clean material is more available than in corundum of the same colour. |
| Inclusion suiteDescribed | Octahedral crystals, fingerprints, healed fissures and growth features, which also form the evidence in a laboratory origin opinion. |
| Eye clean assessmentDeclared, at the stated viewing distance | The working commercial threshold. |
| FracturesDescribed, by position and reach | Surface reaching breaks, as a durability and a yield term. |
| TransparencyDescribed, from transparent to translucent | Faceting and cabochon material are separate products. |
Rough form, size and yield
5 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| Rough weightCarats, per piece and per parcel | Weighed on a calibrated balance. |
| DimensionsMillimetres, length by width by depth | Measured on the crystal or preform. |
| Estimated yieldPercentage of rough weight, declared as an assessment | Octahedral crystals cut with a characteristic loss, and the assessment is an opinion rather than a warranty. |
| Shape and formDeclared, as octahedral crystal, water worn pebble, cobbed piece or preform | Marble hosted crystals and alluvial pebbles work differently on the wheel. |
| Size distributionDeclared, as the count within each stated weight band | For a sorted parcel, the distribution across sizes. Fine spinel above a few carats is scarce and the distribution carries the parcel price. |
Treatment and disclosure
6 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| Treatment statusDisclosed, as untreated or treated | Spinel is normally untreated and that is one of its commercial arguments. The absence of treatment is stated on the contract rather than assumed. |
| Heat treatmentDisclosed, where applied | Disclosed with the process named, and identified by the laboratory where present. |
| Fracture fillingDisclosed, with the filler identified | Any oil, resin or glass in a fracture, with the extent stated. |
| Coating and surface treatmentDisclosed | Any applied layer, with its coverage and durability. |
| Synthetic screeningDeclared, against the named laboratory method | Confirmation that the stone is natural spinel rather than flame fusion or flux grown synthetic spinel, both of which are long established and widely produced. |
| Disclosure recordDocument, per stone or per parcel | The written treatment disclosure on the invoice and with the parcel. |
Parcel, documentation and settlement
9 grades
| Grade | Definition |
|---|---|
| Parcel compositionDeclared, by piece count and total carat weight | What is actually in the lot. A rough parcel is sold as a parcel, so the count, the weight and the size distribution are the contract. |
| Weight basisCarats, to the stated decimal place | Weighed on a calibrated balance, with the weighing certificate and the tolerance named. |
| Sealing and markingDeclared | Parcels sealed in the presence of both parties or their agents, numbered and photographed, so the goods that arrive are the goods that were inspected. |
| Laboratory reportDocument, per stone or per parcel | Issued by a named laboratory operating to the international testing competence standard, covering species, treatment and, where commissioned, origin. |
| Origin determinationDeclared, where commissioned | A laboratory origin opinion is an opinion based on inclusion suites and trace element chemistry. It is stated as such and never as a guarantee. |
| Export and import documentationDeclared | Export permit or certificate from the producing country, customs classification under the harmonized system, and any royalty or clearance certificate the origin requires. |
| Responsible sourcingDeclared | Mine or source, chain of custody, and the due diligence statement, including artisanal and small scale mining status where it applies. |
| Viewing and rejectionDeclared | Where and when the buyer may view, the memo or consignment terms if any, and the window and grounds for rejection after the laboratory report. |
| Insurance and carriageDeclared | Valuation for transit, the specialist carrier or secure courier named, and the point at which risk passes. |
Grades outside this list trade on request. Send us the contract specification you work to and we will price against it.
Locations
| Country | Region | We trade it as |
|---|---|---|
| Myanmar | Southeast Asia | Origin and destination |
| Tajikistan | Central Asia | Origin and destination |
| Viet Nam | Southeast Asia | Origin and destination |
| Sri Lanka | South Asia | Origin and destination |
| Tanzania | East Africa | Origin and destination |
| Kenya | East Africa | Origin and destination |
| Madagascar | Southern Africa | Origin and destination |
| Mozambique | Southern Africa | Origin and destination |
| Afghanistan | Central Asia | Origin and destination |
| Pakistan | South Asia | Origin and destination |
| Nepal | South Asia | Origin and destination |
| India | South Asia | Cutting and trading centre |
| Thailand | Southeast Asia | Cutting, treatment and trading centre |
| Cambodia | Southeast Asia | Origin and destination |
| China | East Asia | Cutting centre and destination |
| Brazil | South America | Origin and destination |
| Russian Federation | Eurasia | Origin and destination |
| United States | North America | Origin and destination |
| Australia | Oceania | Origin and destination |
| Israel | Middle East | Cutting and trading centre |
| United Arab Emirates | Middle East | Trading hub and free zone |
| Switzerland | Europe | Trading, laboratory and vaulting centre |
| Belgium | Europe | Trading centre |
| Germany | Europe | Cutting centre and destination |
| United Kingdom | Europe | Trading centre and destination |
| France | Europe | Destination |
| Italy | Europe | Destination |
| Hong Kong | East Asia | Trading centre |
| Singapore | Southeast Asia | Trading and finance |
| Japan | East Asia | Destination |
| Republic of Korea | East Asia | Destination |
| Turkey | Western Asia | Origin and destination |
| Nigeria | West Africa | Origin and destination |
| Ethiopia | East Africa | Origin and destination |
Origins and destinations outside this list trade on request. We are not limited to the locations shown here.
Timing
Production is when the stone comes out of the ground at origin, which follows the mining season, the water level at an alluvial working and the rhythm of artisanal digging rather than a crop calendar. Arrival is when material from that origin typically reaches a cutting or trading centre. The gap between them is sorting, export clearance and the journey to the market.
HarvestArrival
| Origin | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | Window |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Myanmar | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest Jan to Dec, arrival Jan to DecMogok, the classic origin, producing the red and hot pink material the market benchmarks against. Export documentation and sanctions position established before any commitment. |
| Tajikistan | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest Jun to Sep, arrival Aug to NovThe Pamir workings at high altitude, producing fine pink and red material in a short summer season. | ||||||
| Vietnam | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest Mar to Sep, arrival May to NovLuc Yen marble hosted spinel across pink, red and cobalt blue, following the dry months. | |||
| Sri Lanka | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest Jan to Dec, arrival Jan to DecAlluvial gem gravels producing blue, violet and grey spinel year round. |
| Tanzania | Arrival | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Arrival | Harvest Jun to Nov, arrival Aug to JanMahenge and Matombo production, including the vivid pink material, weighted to the dry season. | ||||
| Madagascar | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest Apr to Oct, arrival Jun to DecProduction alongside the wider coloured stone output, accessible in the dry season. | |||
| Afghanistan | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Arrival | Arrival | Harvest May to Sep, arrival Jul to NovBadakhshan, the historic source of the large red stones in the European and Asian crown jewels, moving overland when the passes open. | |||||
| Thailand | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest and arrival | Harvest Jan to Dec, arrival Jan to DecLimited domestic production, but a principal cutting and trading centre shipping year round. |
Windows outside this pattern trade on request, including forward commitments against a mine run, parcels already sitting in a cutting centre, and material held in a free trade zone or bonded vault.
Customs, packing and contract terms
Indicative terms for spinel. Tariff classification is the importer’s responsibility and limits change, so confirm both against the destination customs authority and the current regulation before you fix a contract.
- HS heading7103.10 Precious and semi-precious stones, unworked or simply sawn or roughly shaped
7103.99 Semi-precious stones, otherwise worked - PackingSealed and numbered parcels under a valuation certificate. Never containerised.
- Container loadingNot containerised. Moves by insured secure courier or hand carry against a declared valuation, with customs presentation at both ends.
- Contract and arbitrationCIBJO Blue Book nomenclature, with a GIA, Gubelin or SSEF report where the value warrants it. Sale on viewed and approved parcel terms with weight and treatment disclosure. Arbitration under the rules of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses or the ICC.
- Destination limitsOrigin declaration and OECD due diligence for minerals from conflict affected and high risk areas, US OFAC sanctions on Burmese ruby and jade under the JADE Act, anti money laundering registration and reporting for dealers in precious stones, and full disclosure of heat, diffusion, fracture filling and any other treatment.
Common questions
What grades of spinel does SIP Global trade?
We quote 40 published grades of spinel, including Species - Spinel, confirmed by gemmological testing, Refractive index - Reported, Specific gravity - Reported, Hardness - Reported on the Mohs scale, Optical character - Singly refractive, with any anomalous double refraction described and Fluorescence - Described, under long and short wave ultraviolet. Every grade is tied to a delivery point and a settlement route. Grades outside the published list are priced on request.
How is spinel graded?
Spinel is bought on colour and on the fact that it is almost always untreated, which is stated on the contract rather than assumed. The species, the colour description and the treatment declaration are the terms the price is agreed against. Grading runs on 6 systems: Species, variety and identification, Colour, Clarity and inclusions, Rough form, size and yield, Treatment and disclosure and Parcel, documentation and settlement.
Where does SIP Global trade spinel?
We trade spinel in Myanmar, Tajikistan, Viet Nam, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Kenya, Madagascar and Mozambique and 26 further markets. Origins and destinations outside this list trade on request. We are not limited to the locations shown.
When is spinel harvested and when does it arrive?
Typical windows are Myanmar: harvest jan to dec, arrival jan to dec; Tajikistan: harvest jun to sep, arrival aug to nov; Vietnam: harvest mar to sep, arrival may to nov; Sri Lanka: harvest jan to dec, arrival jan to dec; Tanzania: harvest jun to nov, arrival aug to jan. Harvest is when the lot is taken at origin, arrival is when a shipment from that origin lands in a consuming market. Windows outside this pattern, including carry, trade on request.
What is the HS code for spinel?
Spinel is normally classified under HS 7103.10 (precious and semi-precious stones, unworked or simply sawn or roughly shaped) and HS 7103.99 (semi-precious stones, otherwise worked). The heading follows the form the goods are in at the border, and national tariffs extend it beyond six digits, so confirm the full line with the destination customs authority before you fix a contract.
How do I get a price for spinel?
Send the grade, the origin and the delivery window to the SIP Global desk. That is enough for a trader to come back with a level and a settlement route. 1 listed spinel market is published on this page, each with its full specification and terms. We take both sides, physical and financial, prompt to long dated.
Standards and data sources
The grading language on this sheet follows published standards. Trade volumes and tariff lines are public record. Verify anything here against the source.
- UN ComtradeOfficial international trade statistics by HS code
- ITC Trade MapBilateral trade flows and tariff data
- FAOSTATFAO production and trade series for agricultural commodities
Price this with our desk
Grade, origin and window if you have them. If what you are carrying does not fit the sheet above, describe it in your own words and a trader will take it from there.