spinel

noun

spi·​nel spə-ˈnel 

variants or spinelle

1

: a hard crystalline mineral consisting of an oxide of magnesium and aluminum that varies from colorless to ruby red to black and is used as a gem

2

: any of a group of minerals that are essentially oxides of magnesium, ferrous iron, zinc, or manganese

Examples of spinel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Throughout, her eye for color shone in gradients of blues comprising tanzanites, sapphires and blue-green tourmalines, or pink ones playing off rubellites, pink spinels and spessartite garnets. —Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 20 Feb. 2026

This necklace, which can also be worn as a tiara, dates back to the early nineteenth century and is composed of diamonds, rubies and spinels, mounted on a gold and silver structure. —Marta Martínez Tato, Vanity Fair, 30 Jan. 2026

At front of the crown sits the aforementioned Cullinan II, above which sits a massive red spinel known as the Black Prince's Ruby. —Emma Banks, InStyle, 7 Jan. 2026

Among those are larger emeralds, sapphires, rubies and spinels weighing 54.60 carats. —Michelle Lee, PEOPLE, 6 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Italian spinella, diminutive of spina thorn, from Latin

First Known Use

1528, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing spinel

• ruby spinel