Metal: 14K Gold

Stone: 1.09ct Spinel Heart

Measurements: Approx. 7mm x 6mm

Chain: 14k gold. 18” in length.

What You Should Know: A beautiful spinel heart.

Though their popularity has grown exponentially over the past 200 years, Spinels have managed to capture the hearts of jewelry lovers across the globe, weaving their way through time with fascinating tales, and adorning endless treasures.

Throughout history, these beautiful stones were commonly mistaken for other gems. The top jewelers of the 18th century and earlier were often fooled by sneaky spinels—even the world’s best jewelers who advised the British royal family. The gorgeous deep red variety of spinel, in particular, was often mistaken for ruby and installed in many a royal crown and collection. England’s Henry V mounted a 170 carat true red spinel into his helmet before war; taking an ax to the forehead during the battle of Agincourt in 1415. Miraculously the King and the spinel survived—some say the spinel even saved his life. This deepened the royal’s beliefs that crystals increase fortitude and improve intuition. Henry’s spinel lives on as the centerpiece of the Imperial Crown of England today, proving that spinels are one of the hardest and most durable stones on the block

Spinel deposits occur all over the world, but share the same mineralogical properties. Today, many consider spinels even more rare than their better known cousins, like ruby and sapphire. Thanks to diverse mineral make ups, spinels run the spectrum when it comes to beautiful tones and hues, from pink to red to purple to blue, and even silver. A stone worth celebrating, indeed.