a hard glassy mineral consisting of an oxide of magnesium and aluminum; occurs in various colors that are used as gemstones(n)
Synonyms: spinel
Hyponyms: ceylonite
pleonaste
ruby spinel
spinel ruby
Hypernyms: mineral
SubstanceHolonyms: atomic number 12
magnesium
mg
SubstanceHolonyms: atomic number 12
magnesium
mg
Spinel is the magnesium/aluminium member of the larger spinel group of minerals. It has the formula MgAl
2O
4 in the cubic crystal system. Its name comes from the Latin word spinella, a diminutive form of spine, in reference to its pointed crystals.