spinel

spi·nel also spi·nelle  (sp-nl)

n.

1. A hard, variously colored mineral with composition MgAl₂O₄, having usually octahedral crystals and occurring in igneous and carbonate rocks. The red variety is valued as a gem and is sometimes confused with ruby.

2. Any of a group of minerals that are oxides of magnesium, iron, zinc, manganese, or aluminum.

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[Italian spinella, diminutive of spina, thorn (from its sharply pointed crystals), from Latin spna.]

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spinel also spinelle  (sp-nl)

1. A hard, variously colored cubic mineral, having usually octahedral crystals and occurring in igneous and metamorphosed carbonate rocks. The red variety is valued as a gem and is sometimes confused with the ruby. Chemical formula: MgAl₂O₄.

2. Any of a group of minerals that are oxides of magnesium, iron, zinc, manganese, or aluminum.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

spinel - a hard glassy mineral consisting of an oxide of magnesium and aluminum; occurs in various colors that are used as gemstones atomic number 12, magnesium, Mg - a light silver-white ductile bivalent metallic element; in pure form it burns with brilliant white flame; occurs naturally only in combination (as in magnesite and dolomite and carnallite and spinel and olivine) mineral - solid homogeneous inorganic substances occurring in nature having a definite chemical composition ruby spinel, spinel ruby - a spinel used as a gemstone (usually dark red) Ceylonite, pleonaste - a dark-colored spinel containing iron