Spinel earrings

Spinel

— a relatively rare mineral found in several varieties. The most expensive is the noble spinel, a gemstone of the third order (in other words, not the cheapest, although inexpensive). It may have a red colour and be indistinguishable from a ruby to the eye; other colours are also found, including varieties with the ability to change shade (like alexandrite — see the relevant paragraph). However, relatively inexpensive black spinel is often used in earrings — an opaque black stone with a glossy sheen.