Jedi Spinel: The Vivid Pinkish Red Gem that Captivates the Gem World

Spinel gemstones have a long and storied history as jewelry stones, with their vivid hues captivating the hearts of royalty and gem enthusiasts alike. However, in recent decades, a particular variety of spinel has risen to the forefront of the gem world's attention: the "Jedi" spinel.

Spinel Gemstones: A Diverse and Captivating Gem

Historically, spinels have been sourced from a handful of renowned locations, including Tajikistan, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka. More recently, the gem-producing regions of Myanmar (formerly Burma) and Vietnam have become the primary sources for the most sought-after spinel varieties.

The spinels from Myanmar's Namya (also known as Nanyazeik) and Mogok's Man Sin mine have particularly fueled the increasing demand for this gemstone. These regions are renowned for producing spinels with vivid pinkish red hues, exhibiting a neon-like glow that is truly mesmerizing. However, these captivating colors can be found in spinel-producing areas across Myanmar, Vietnam, and Tanzania.

How Did "Jedi" Spinel Get Its Name?

In the early 2000s, renowned field gemologist Vincent Pardieu was shown some exceptional spinels in Myanmar by gemstone dealer Yuval "Hemi" Englisher of Gemcal Co., Ltd., Bangkok. Pardieu was immediately struck by the vivid pinkish red hues of these spinels, which exhibited a glow he had never encountered before in the gemstone.

Drawing inspiration from the immense popularity of the Star Wars film series, Pardieu began referring to these glowing, neon-like spinels as "Jedi" spinels. The name was a playful reference to the powerful and captivating nature of these gems, which he felt were untouched by the "dark side of the Force." This clever nickname quickly caught on in the gem trade and has since become a widely recognized term for the most sought-after spinel varieties.

Spinel's Physical Properties: Unraveling the Secrets of a Captivating Gem

Spinel is a magnesium aluminum oxide with the chemical formula MgAl2O4 and an isometric or cubic crystal structure. Crystals typically exhibit an octahedral shape, resembling two pyramids base-to-base, with no cleavage and a conchoidal fracture.

Spinel has a hardness of 7.5-8 on the Mohs scale and a specific gravity of 3.6-4.1. The gem's single refractive index is 1.719, and it can exhibit a range of natural colors, including black, brown, red, pink, orange, blue, purple, and, very rarely, green and yellow. The source of these diverse hues lies in the trace element chromophores of iron (Fe), chromium (Cr), vanadium (V), manganese (Mn), and cobalt (Co).

Ultraviolet fluorescence in spinels can range from inert to weak or strong red or, very infrequently, green.

The Chromium Connection: Unraveling the Secrets of Jedi Spinel's Color

The vivid pinkish red hues of Jedi spinels are primarily the result of chromium, the coloring agent responsible for both the red color and the fluorescence in these captivating gems.

However, the "dark side" of red spinel is caused by the presence of trace amounts of iron. The more iron a spinel contains, the darker and less fluorescent it will be. This interplay between chromium and iron is what gives rise to the full spectrum of red spinel colors, from the neon-like glow of Jedi spinels to the deeper, more subdued hues.

Inclusions in Spinels: A Window into their Geological Origins

The inclusions found within spinels provide valuable insights into the geological environments in which they form. Crystal inclusions of minerals such as calcite and apatite are quite common in these gems.

Many spinels also contain well-formed negative octahedral crystals (cavities shaped like octahedral crystals) that, in turn, contain other minerals, liquids, or both. Occasionally, spinels may also have inclusions of needle-like and/or plate-like growths of rutile, which can cause the "star stone" effect in some specimens.

Burmese Nat Thwe Spinel Crystals: Gems Polished by the Spirits

The mines of Mogok and Namya in Myanmar are renowned for producing euhedral spinel crystals, which have well-developed faces that appear faceted, although they occur naturally. The local trade expression for these euhedral spinel crystals is "nat thwe," which means "polished by the spirits."

Despite centuries of Buddhist practice, spirit worship (animism) continues alongside classic Buddhism in Burmese culture. The Burmese spirit world has thirty-seven nats or spirits, and the nat thwe spinel crystals are believed to have been polished by these mystical entities.

Spinel Mining in Myanmar: A Challenging and Artisanal Endeavor

Spinel mining operations in Myanmar vary greatly, ranging from mechanized deep tunnels large enough for dump trucks to massive open-pit mines utilizing heavy machinery. However, the government-issued mining permits have not been renewed for nearly a decade, and all recent mining in Mogok and Namya has been artisanal and illegal.

Miners armed with basic tools like picks, shovels, and washing pans pay the local military and/or police a small fee to ignore their activities. This artisanal mining approach is a time-honored tradition in Myanmar, known as "kanase," where locals, often women, try their luck at finding gems in the tailings of larger mechanized mines.

Gem Mounting for Export: Facilitating Legal Trade

Loose gemstones, rough or cut, are illegal to export from Myanmar. To facilitate legal export, the Burmese mount all cut stones in the simplest of styles, including ruby, sapphire, spinel, jadeite, peridot, zircon, beryl, and quartz.

These gems are typically set in thin, handmade brass mountings that cost only a few dollars to manufacture. More expensive gems are usually mounted in simple 22k yellow gold with no accent stones. Dealers and brokers wear the finished necklaces, bracelets, rings, and pendants to sell them internationally, as the gems can be removed from the settings, and the gold can be melted and sold.

Nat Thwe Spinel Crystals in Fine Jewelry: Balancing Beauty and Practicality

Gemstone lovers often lament the sight of nat thwe Jedi spinel crystals being faceted, as aficionados prefer to see them remain in their natural "spirit-polished" state. However, these uncut beauties can create problems for traditional jewelry styles, as their natural, sharp corners are far easier to damage than those of faceted spinels.

One notable exception is the stunning starfish pendant created by world-renowned, multiple award-winning jewelry artist Paula Crevoshay. Featured on the cover of her book "The Shape of Matter - Through an Artist's Eye," the pendant contains 6.79 carats of nat thwe spinel crystals, along with a variety of other precious gems, all set in 18K yellow gold.

By opting for a brooch or pendant design, Crevoshay was able to provide a degree of safety from incidental impact damage, allowing the natural beauty of the nat thwe spinel crystals to shine without compromising the practical wearability of the piece.

As the demand for Jedi spinels continues to grow, jewelry artists and collectors alike will undoubtedly continue to explore innovative ways to showcase the captivating allure of these vivid pinkish red gems, honoring their natural splendor while ensuring their long-term preservation.