MINING ROCKSTAR OF THE WEEK – SPINEL!!

Spinel is a gemstone mineral that has been confused with ruby and sapphire for over 1000 years. Several of the most spectacular spinels ever discovered have been mounted in "crown jewels" and other "jewellery of significance" under the assumption that they were rubies or sapphires. Spinel occurs in the same bright red and blue colours as rubies and sapphires. Spinel forms in the same rock units, under the same geological conditions and is found in the same gravels. It is not surprising that ancient gem traders thought that these colourful spinels were rubies and sapphires - "Geology.com"