Science Popularization | Neon Noble in Spinel -- Mahengei

Spinel is a beautiful and durable gem. Compared with other precious stones, its popularity is not high, but it has excellent gemological characteristics. In recent years, its share in the international color gem market has soared, and it is a veritable "potential stock". The market price of high-quality spinel has risen all the way, and people's pursuit of spinel has not stopped at the single pure red spinel in ancient times, but put more attention on this kind of mahenggai spinel full of neon.

In addition to the famous "Jedi Knight", you may also have heard of the name "Mahangai".

The common variety of spinel is red. Among them, one kind of spinel with neon appearance is very rare - Mahenge spinel, which is produced in Tanzania, with high color saturation and a slight velvet feeling. Its color range is from red, purple, pink, pink orange, orange pink, orange red, red and orange. It has more precious neon effect and has top electric light color. As one of the four famous spinels, the most attractive part of Mahangai spinel is the special crystal beauty brought by the rare velvet light sense/velvet light sense.

The first discovery of Mahenggai spinel

In the 1980s, spinel was first discovered in the Mahenge mining area in southeast Tanzania, named after its origin - Mahenge town. Because of its beauty and rarity, it continues to heat up after being discovered.

In 2004, Mahenggai spinel became famous at the Tucson International Jewelry Exhibition in the United States, and then became more and more popular. In 2007, a huge high-quality red spinel crystal was found in the Mahenggai mining area, once again becoming a popular production area of red spinel. The discovery of Mahangai spinel shocked the entire gem industry and made the eyes of the whole world gather here.

The high-quality Mahenggai spinel is bright pink to red, with high color saturation and a slight velvet feeling. The combination of vibrant pink and deep red produces a pink with neon feeling. Such gorgeous colors are rare even in the colorful gem world. High quality Mahenggai spinel has a charming magenta color after cutting. Most of the mahange covers with poor cleanliness have a special velvet feeling, which makes the inside of the gem appear a misty feeling, and visually gives people a very "milk" feeling, that is, the "milk body" mahange cover (referred to as "milk cover").

At present, the production of spinel in Mahenggai area is not high, and it is basically in a state of mineral extinction. However, the demand is still large and the price has risen again and again. Affected by the relationship between supply and demand, the "Mahangai spinel" in most gem merchants has become a commercial name to describe all the pink and red spinels produced in Tanzania. Some businesses also call the pink spinel with similar color and texture from other places of origin "Mahenggai spinel". Therefore, the editor suggested that you should not bring your own filter when you hear "Mahenggai". Whether it is gem or jade, the quality is the decisive factor affecting the price at any time. It is "blind obedience" to blindly pursue the name of origin but ignore the quality of gemstones.

Some people say that Mahangai spinel is a gem that changes the world's view of spinel. Admittedly, more and more people are familiar with this unique neon color, and it deserves to be one of the most popular gemstones in the new era. Now, "Mahenggai spinel" not only represents the spinel produced in Mahenggai region, but also has become the synonym of high-quality spinel in Tanzania. The spinel, which has been buried in the light of ruby, has not only been recognized by people, but also the price of Mahangai spinel has been rising again and again, becoming the object of people's pursuit.

Appreciation of Mahenggai Spinel Advanced Jewelry

                                                   Sun Gleam Maheng Cap Spinel Ring Count Piaget

The main stone of this ring is a 1.72ct pillow-cut Mahenggai spinel, which has a full pink color and symbolizes the sun in the desert. The streamlines of long stepped diamonds can be seen on both sides of the main stone, reminiscent of the afterglow of the sun extending along the horizon to the distance. The designer uses rose gold and pink tourmaline to create a desert scene covered by soft light in the morning and evening. The name of the ring "Sun Gleam" is exactly the meaning of "sun glimmer".

                                                  Summer Cocktail Spinel Ring Van Cleef&Arpels

The main stone of this one is a rare Mahenggai spinel, weighing 21.19 carats. In order to make the work more colorful, the designer carved the pink Momo coral into a corolla to form the main color of the ring; Purple sapphire and pink spinel in the corolla; A white gold ribbon inlaid with diamonds extends from both sides of the corolla, ingeniously connecting the ring face with the ring set, and finally setting off the color of each layer of gem.

                                                         Blue Book Wave Ring Tiffany&Co

The design of this ring is inspired by the ocean world, like a bright pink spinel held up by the undulating waves. Spinel main stone weighs 27.08ct and is elliptical cut, with excellent transparency and vivid and full pink tone. The designer uses simple four-claw inlay to fix the main stone and maximize the natural color of spinel. The ring wall is elegant and streamlined, with bright round diamonds connected into nearly 20 arcs. From the side of the ring, you can enjoy the waves reminiscent of surging waves.

                                                        Winston Candy Platinum Ring Harry Winston

The main stone is a 7.02ct pillow-cut Mahenggai spinel, embellished with water drop-shaped cut Sapphire, olive tip-shaped cut Palaiba tourmaline, round cut purple sapphire, olive tip-shaped, water drop-shaped and round cut diamond.

                                                          Winston Candy Platinum Ring Harry Winston

The main stone is a 17.48ct emerald cut pink spinel, embellished with arc cut sapphire, water drop cut sapphire, water drop cut pink sapphire and round cut diamond.