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Glite Dictionary
ruby spinel

ruby spinel

8.1
A dark red gemstone that looks like a ruby but costs less
  • noun
  • /ˈruːbi spɪˈnɛl/
  • Specialized
translation icon : espinela rubí
  • The jeweler showed me a beautiful ruby spinel set in a silver ring.

Examples

  • Unlike a real ruby, a ruby spinel can be more affordable and just as attractive.

  • Many famous crown jewels have been found to contain ruby spinel instead of genuine rubies.

  • The ruby spinel shines brilliantly in the sunlight.

  • Is this ruby spinel natural or synthetic?

  • The jeweler showed me a beautiful ruby spinel set in a silver ring.

  • Many famous crown jewels have been found to contain ruby spinel instead of genuine rubies.

  • Unlike a real ruby, a ruby spinel can be more affordable and just as attractive.

Synonyms

spinel ruby
vsruby spinel
  • Specialized
9.3

A red gemstone that looks like a ruby but is a different stone

is the same variety described as the actual gem type rather than the misidentification

Surface Forms

ruby spinel singular
ruby spinels plural

Morphology

ruby + spinel

The phrase is a straightforward noun-noun compound where 'ruby' describes a variety of 'spinel'—a red or ruby-like spinel used as a gemstone. A B1 learner who knows 'ruby' and 'spinel' can directly infer this compositional meaning, and the modifier+noun pattern is cross-linguistically common, so the expression is transparent.

Etymology

Ruby spinel is named for its look: a spinel stone that looks like a ruby because of its deep red color. Long ago, some stones in crowns were called 'rubies' but later found to be spinels, so the name ruby spinel shows it is a spinel that looks like a 'real ruby'.