Spinel meaning & facts
Spinel is a birthstone for August. Spinel is associated with renewal, energy and hope.
- Birth month
- August
- Colour
- Many colours, often red, pink or blue
- Mineral
- Spinel
- Hardness (Mohs)
- 8
- Main sources
- Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Tanzania and Tajikistan
Spinel facts
- Spinel was added as an August birthstone in 2016.
- For centuries red spinel was mistaken for ruby; the famous "Black Prince's Ruby" in the British Imperial State Crown is actually a spinel.
- Spinel is usually found in the same deposits as ruby and sapphire.
Birthstones by month
Frequently asked questions
What does spinel mean?
Spinel is associated with renewal, energy and hope.
What month is spinel the birthstone for?
Spinel is a birthstone for August. The other August birthstones are Peridot and Sardonyx.
How hard is spinel?
Spinel rates 8 on the Mohs hardness scale, which runs from 1 (talc) to 10 (diamond).
Gemstone meanings are traditional beliefs, shared for interest rather than as proven properties.