One of the most beautiful and rarest gemstones available today is the Spinel. Spinel was usually associated with Rubies, due to the fact that large red Spinel were found in the same mines that Rubies were mined at. They have similar hardness and durability, vivid color, and brilliance. Now treasured for its own sake, spinel is a favorite of gem dealers and gem collectors due to its brilliance, hardness and wide range of spectacular colors. In addition to beautiful rich reds, spinel can be found in a range of beautiful pastel shades of pink and purple. In addition to Burma, now known as Myanmar, and Sri Lanka, spinel is mined in Tanzania and Tadjikstan, part of the former Soviet Union.