Spinel has is a gem that has often been overshadowed by Ruby, but as more people have come to discover this beautiful mineral it has emerged from the shadows and is finally receiving recognition as a treasured gem in its own right. Sought after by gem dealers and collectors on account of its brilliance, hardness and wide range of spectacular colours, spinel, in addition to beautiful rich reds which imitate ruby and rare cobalt blue hues that convincingly look like blue sapphire, can also be found in a range of gorgeous pastel shades of pink, purple and even some ‘change-of-colour’ specimens.