Spinel, Twin, Octahedral (2018, George Augustus Tan Collection)
Chemical Composition: MgAl2O4
Locality: Luc Yen, Vietnam
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Spinels are octahedral gemstones that range in colour from vivid reds to lavender, to neon blue, and even black. Often found in association in marble from Vietnam, they are often mistaken for rubies due to their bright reds. In fact, they are chemically similar, often a result of a reaction between corundum and dolomite, which produces calcite and spinel at equilibrium during metamorphism. Similar to rubies, they owe their blood-red hue to chromium, and some vanadium.
The specimen features two etched octahedrals stacked together at their corners.
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