Gemstone profile and identification guide
Black Spinel sits among the more resilient gem materials used for jewellery, which shapes both how it wears and how it is collected. That combination of black body colour, 9 Mohs hardness, and vitreous lustre is what usually makes it recognisable in practice.
Black Spinel sits among the more resilient gem materials used for jewellery, which shapes both how it wears and how it is collected. That combination of black body colour, 9 Mohs hardness, and vitreous lustre is what usually makes it recognisable in practice.
Did you know? Black Spinel is commonly associated with material from Sri Lanka, though the broader trade may draw on multiple localities.
Use this profile as a collector reference and educational guide for quick on-page comparison, then validate with the interactive identification system.
Name: Black Spinel
Scientific classification: Oxide (Spinel Group)
Hardness: 8 Mohs
Transparency: transparent
Lustre: vitreous
Crystal system: Isometric (Cubic)
Primary colour: Black
Secondary colour: Not specified
Colour family: Neutrals
A practical identification pass begins with the visible basics: transparent transparency, vitreous lustre, 9 Mohs hardness, and a trigonal crystal system. Colour on its own is not enough; use hardness and lustre alongside hue to rule out obvious lookalikes. Useful side-by-side comparisons include Sapphire, Ruby, Spinel.
Status: verified-family-derived
Reference priority: GIA, Gem-A, Mindat, International Gem Society
Core identity fields inherited from verified parent profile: spinel.
Black spinel profile inherits spinel core identity fields.
Variety-level locality and treatment specifics can differ and should be reviewed before publication-grade claims.
Hardness category: very hard
Hardness value: 8 Mohs
Chemical composition: Magnesium aluminum oxide (MgAl2O4)
Crystal system: Isometric (Cubic)
Common locations: Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Tanzania (Mahenge), Vietnam, Tajikistan
Learn more: Gem-A gemstone education resources.
Black Spinel is listed in the neutrals grouping, with black as the dominant body colour.
Optical effects: Colour Change (rare)
Mineral species: Spinel
Mineral group: Spinel group
Chemical formula: Magnesium aluminum oxide (MgAl2O4)
Mohs hardness: 8
Crystal system: Isometric (Cubic)
Lustre: vitreous
Transparency: transparent
Streak: White
Cleavage: None
Fracture: Conchoidal to uneven
Specific gravity: 3.58-3.63
Refractive index: 1.718
Optical phenomena: Colour Change (rare)
Colour range: Black
Common inclusions: Octahedral crystals, healed fissures, and fingerprint inclusions
Geological environment: Black Spinel occurs in Metamorphic marbles and alluvial deposits derived from metamorphic and igneous sources. Its Isometric (Cubic) structure reflects the pressure-temperature conditions of those host rocks, with notable occurrences in Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Tanzania (Mahenge), Vietnam, Tajikistan.
Principal mining regions: Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Tanzania (Mahenge), Vietnam, Tajikistan
Important commercial sources: Key gem spinel sources include Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, and Vietnam
Historical significance: Spinel has a long gem history and was historically confused with ruby in crown jewels.
Common treatments: Generally untreated, though occasional heating may be reported in specific lots.
Synthetic or imitation forms: Flame-fusion synthetic spinel and glass imitations are common.
Common look-alikes: sapphire, ruby, spinel
Jewellery uses: Black Spinel is used chiefly for A strong candidate for rings and other high-contact jewellery when overall cut quality is sound.. In the trade it is commonly fashioned as faceted stones, calibrated cuts, and higher-clarity collector pieces, with Mohs hardness 8 guiding suitable jewellery applications.
Care recommendations: Black Spinel should be cleaned with lukewarm water, mild soap, and a soft brush. At Mohs 8 in the Isometric (Cubic) system, avoid steam cleaners, harsh chemicals, and high-impact wear. Store separately from harder gems to minimise abrasion and edge wear.
Cross-check profile data with GIA Gem Encyclopedia and Mindat entry for Black Spinel.
Black Spinel is a Spinel material with chemistry Magnesium aluminum oxide (MgAl2O4). It develops in Metamorphic marbles and alluvial deposits derived from metamorphic and igneous sources, and economically significant production is associated with Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Tanzania (Mahenge), Vietnam, Tajikistan.
Key gem spinel sources include Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, and Vietnam
Best for: Black Spinel is used chiefly for A strong candidate for rings and other high-contact jewellery when overall cut quality is sound.. In the trade it is commonly fashioned as faceted stones, calibrated cuts, and higher-clarity collector pieces, with Mohs hardness 8 guiding suitable jewellery applications.
Ideal uses: A strong candidate for rings and other high-contact jewellery when overall cut quality is sound.
Black Spinel should be cleaned with lukewarm water, mild soap, and a soft brush. At Mohs 8 in the Isometric (Cubic) system, avoid steam cleaners, harsh chemicals, and high-impact wear. Store separately from harder gems to minimise abrasion and edge wear.
Need another candidate? Use advanced gemstone search or return to the identification guide.
Compare hardness (8 Mohs), crystal system (Isometric (Cubic)), colour profile, and lustre (vitreous) with your sample. Then cross-check related gemstones listed above.
Black Spinel is listed in the neutrals grouping, with black as the dominant body colour.
A strong candidate for rings and other high-contact jewellery when overall cut quality is sound.. For maintenance, follow the care guidance in this profile.
GIA: general gemstone identity (reviewed) - Reviewed as a variety profile derived from verified parent gemstone: spinel.
Gem-A: gemological education and terminology (reviewed) - Reviewed as a variety profile derived from verified parent gemstone: spinel.
Mindat: mineral species and locality index (reviewed) - Reviewed as a variety profile derived from verified parent gemstone: spinel.
International Gem Society: collector-facing gem reference (reviewed) - Reviewed as a variety profile derived from verified parent gemstone: spinel.
