Round Black Spinel Stones, faceted 2mm or 3mm, sold at 10pc.

This petite round black spinel is a budget-friendly alternative to black diamond and other more expensive black gemstones; the hardness makes it an appropriate choice for adding dramatic black gems to any type of jewelry, even those that get the most wear. Black spinel, an opaque variety of vitreous magnesium aluminum oxide, is relatively hard (an "8" on the Mohs hardness scale) and takes a high polish, giving it an appearance similar to more costly black gemstones. Because the gemstone is opaque it has no refractive brilliance but, with a high polish, the facet can reflect light for an attractive presentation. In folklore, black spinel is believed to be protective, assuaging sadness and rebuilding relationships.

Named for its spiky crystal structure from the Latin "spina" (meaning "thorn"), spinel is a vitreous magnesium aluminum oxide. Hard, durable and occurring naturally in a range of transparent colors, spinel is a versatile gemstone for all forms of jewelry.

Round-cut gemstones are highly popular and the most commonly available. Rio round gemstones are calibrated for size and hand-inspected to ensure maximum attractiveness.

Specifications & Features
Attributes
Gemstone Type: Spinel
Stone Shape: Round
Stone Size: 3mm
Stone Type: Natural
Color: Black
enhancement: None (N)
Mohs Hardness: 7.5–8
Clarity: Opaque
Refractive Index: 1.712–1.762
Specific Gravity: 3.52–3.66
Mineral Source: CHINA