Interesting Facts About Burmese Spinel (Red)
Did you know that the Burmese Red Spinel was known to be the ultimate “great pretender”? This was because the gemstone was mistaken for ruby for centuries. Most notably, this gemstone was evident in the Black Prince’s Ruby on the British Imperial State Crown, which was initially mistaken to be ruby and later on reevaluated as Burmese Red Spinel01. These gemstones are found in the Mogok Valley in Myanmar. They are characterized by their intense neon-red glow caused by lack of iron and high chromium levels02.
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Where Burmese Spinel (Red) Comes From
The Burmese Red Spinel has been mined alongside rubies for over centuries already. They are found primarily in the legendary Mogok Stone Tract of Upper Myanmar. Historically, these red spinels were rarely distinguished from rubies. Ancient traders even called both rubies and red spinels as “balas rubies”03. It was only in 1783 that mineralogist Jean-Baptiste Louis Rome de l’Isle provided distinction between rubies and spinel. He found that the Burmese red spinel is a distinct magnesium aluminum oxide mineral, which was different from rubies that come from the corundum family04.
These gemstones are characterized for their “neon” saturation05. What separates Burmese red spinels from rubies is their iron content. Burmese spinels are remarkably low in iron while rubies are extinguished by iron06. Since spinels have low iron, they then have high chromium content that makes their vibrant, glowing red color even in low light. These gemstones are singly refractive which results in a purer red hue than the purplish-red color in rubies.
The primary source for these gemstones are in the Mogok and Namya mines in Myanmar07. The spinel gemstones are also found in other locations such as Tajikistan, Vietnam, and Tanzania08. However, the Burmese variety of red spinel from Myanmar still holds the gold standard due to its unparalleled fluorescent intensity.
How Burmese Spinel (Red) Are Processed
Burmese red spinels are natural gemstones formed within the Earth’s crust. They occur when limestone is subjected to metamorphism from intense heat and pressure. They are found in similar locations as rubies, specifically in same alluvial gravels. With this, they undergo extraction as its first process. Miners sift through “byon” or a gem-bearing gravel in the Mogok valley in Myanmar in order to locate the octahedron-shaped crystals09. The next step is cutting. The cut for this stone is called as the “Jedi” cut where lapidaries favor cuts that preserve the stone’s natural fluorescence. These create shallow pavilions to prevent “extinction” (dark spots) and maximize its red hue10. In terms of treatment, Burmese red spinels undergo minimal treatment unlike rubies. Their color is naturally stable and vibrant11.
How Expensive and Rare Burmese Spinel (Red) Are
Burmese red spinels are exceptionally rare. They comprise less than 1% of the volume of rubies in the Mogok valley12. Their price value is also driven by their natural, unenhanced nature. These red spinels do not require heat-treatment compared to rubites. The “Jedi” variety is highly pricey due to its high chromium and low iron content, thereby creating a “neon” glow13.
Famous Jewelry Made from Burmese Spinel (Red) Gemstones
Burmese red spinels are exceptionally rare and hold high price value. They are considered as the darlings of high-jewelry houses and royal collections. Some notable jewelry pieces include:
- The Black Prince’s Ruby – It is a 170-carat uncut spinel centerpiece evident in the British Imperial State Crown. It was named through its mistaken identity as ruby, but was later on confirmed as a red spinel14.
- The Timur Ruby – It is a 352-carat inscribed spinel. It is now a necklace visible in the British Royal Collection15.
Burmese Spinel’s Market Value (Price per Carat)
As of 2026, the Burmese red spinel has high value due to its rarity and historical value. For fine-commercial quality, the gemstone has a price range of $1,000 and $15,000 per carat. As for the legendary “Jedi” variety, which is notable for its neon fluorescence, its price ranges from $20,000 to $50,000 per carat for rare, clean specimens over 2 carats16.
