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Glite Dictionary
spinel

spinel

1 9.9
A hard shiny stone used as a gem that comes in many colors
  • noun
  • /ˈspɪnəl/
  • Specialized
translation icon : espinela
  • The atomic arrangement at the octahedral sites in the spinel structure of Co304 exhibits sites 24, which may be suitable for a strong bond to the Si in the adhesion promoter.
  • a red spinel
  • spinel and diamond

Examples

  • The museum displayed a beautiful collection of spinel gemstones in various colors.

  • Table 5: Major-element concentrations in spinels from Pingnan peridotite xenoliths

    Academic text (2018)

  • A bright red spinel is often mistaken for a ruby in jewelry stores.

  • She admired the large, sparkling spinel that was set in her grandmother's ring.

Compounds

ruby spinel
  • Specialized
8.1

A dark red gemstone that looks like a ruby but costs less

spinel ruby
  • Specialized
9.3

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

Surface Forms

spinel singular
spinels plural

Etymology

Spinel comes from the Latin root spina meaning 'thorn' and is related to English words like 'spine' and 'spiny'. Early gem sellers used the name for small, pointed crystals, so you can remember a spinel as a little 'thorn' that shines like a bright gemstone.