Black Spinel

Spinel is a mineral oxide of magnesium and aluminum (Aluminum). The name comes from the Latin word spina (thorn), from the sharp ends of its thorn-like crystals. The black spinel is the rarest member of the spinel family, and is formed at greater depths in the earth's mantle than other spinels. It is estimated that black spinels crystallize at depths of 70 to 120 km, while the other spinels crystallize at depths of 20 to 100 km. Higher temperatures and pressures, and the higher magnesium ratio, give the mineral the black color, and the characteristic hardness of all spinels (8 on the Mohs scale).

Where we find deposits of corundum, i.e. ruby and sapphire, there is usually spinel as well. Black spinel is found in Myanmar (Burma), Cambodia, Sri Lanka, California. In Germany we find good quality of spinel in Bavaria, Italy in Vesuvius, Madagascar. The largest and cleanest black spinel stones are found in Russia, in the area of Sakha.

In Greece, spinel crystals have been found in the emery mines of Naxos and in Mikri Lakka, an area of Samos island.

Inner Earth stone activates the 1st chakra of the Base, Muladhara. It is the bridge between man and the earth, it calms the irritation from the attachment to material goods, and shows the way to completion, through introspection and solidarity.

The Element of black spinel is earth, the planet is Pluto, and mainly affects the earth signs, Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn.