 Spinel beads are made from Spinel, which are named from the Latin word "spina", (meaning "thorn"), for its pointed crystals, spinel is a hard mineral with octahedral crystals occurring in igneous and carbonate rocks. Spinel beads consists essentially of alumina and magnesia, but commonly contains iron and sometimes also chromium. Spinel beads is found in a variety of colors including blue, green, brown, black, and the valuable red variety which resembles a ruby. Spinel beads was popular in medieval jewelry. Spinel is frequently called "Balas Ruby," a term derived from Badakshan, the name of the district in Afghanistan which is said to have been the source of the finest stones in mediaeval times. Spinel is magnesium aluminate (MgA1204) and is chemically related to corundum (ruby and sapphire). |
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