 | Spinel is highly sought after by gem connoisseurs with crystals in high demand among collectors. Red spinel is the most desirable, followed by cobalt-blue spinel, then hot pink and vivid orange stones. The natural stone is often transparent and usually needs no treatment. Its ranking of 8 on the Mohs hardness scale makes it ideal for every type of jewelry. |
 | Red spinel ranges from orangy red to purplish red, with pure red hues the finest. A top quality 5 carat red spinel might sell for a tenth the price of an equivalent ruby. Pink spinel often sells for less than pink sapphire. Prices for the highest quality have exploded in recent years. |  |
 | The most highly valued blue spinel colors parallel blue sapphire, with intense violet-blue to pure blue colors highly regarded. Eye clean spinel is more valuable than that with inclusions. The more visible the inclusions, the more the value drops. |  |
 | Larger spinel sizes rise considerably in per-carat price. Prices rise sharply for fine red, pink, and blue stones above five carats. |  |
