The transparent red spinels are called spinel-rubies or balas-rubies and were often confused with actual rubies in ancient times. "Balas" is derived from Balascia, the ancient name for Badakhshan, a region in central Asia situated in the upper valley of the Kokcha river one of the principal tributaries of the Oxus river. Yellow spinel is called rubicelle and violet-colored manganese-bearing spinel is called almandine.

Spinel is found as a metamorphic mineral, and also as a primary mineral in basic rocks, because in such magmas the absence of alkalis prevents the formation of feldspars and any aluminium oxide resent will form corundum or combine with magnesia to form spinel. This is why spinel and ruby are often found together.

Until very recently color change spinels were unheard of. With new mines being brought into production such as that in Mahenge, Tanzania we have come across color change spinel of expectional color, clarity and luster. At a fraction of color change sapphire or alexandrite, we believe color change or color shift spinel to become a stone of the future as the public becomes aware that it is available.