This content was first published on IGR – Italian Gemological Review no. 13 in 2021. The information provided here is therefore current as of the original publication date.
Not unlike “pigeon blood” for rubies and other well-known brand-like quality qualifications, now spinels also have a distinct gemological quality grade. This is the “Jedi” Spinel for which the Asian Institute of Gemological Sciences (AIGS) has recently defined a strict quality standard based on a comprehensive assessment of color quality, fluorescence, clarity, cut, brilliance, treatment and gemstone origin (only Burmese red spinels are eligible for the qualification).
The “Jedi” denomination is assigned by AIGS to untreated natural, faceted spinels with evenly distributed shades of red, rosy red, reddish pink to orangey red, in medium to high saturation and without dark tones.
The name of “Jedi” spinel was adopted by dealers and is strictly related to the work of the well known gemologist Vincent Pardieu and became popular after the publication of his field report in the Spring 2014 issue of Gems & Gemology subsequently translated in Chinese. Pardieu coined this name inspired by the legendary characters from the Star Wars movie.
Red spinels became very popular in China during the last decade. «Interesting to see how a fun “secret code” created 20 years ago to communicate with my boss and mentor Henry Ho has now evolved as a popular trade name particularly in Asia» the world famous French gemologist has recently declared.
The move of the AIGS aims at a clarification after discrepancies in the interpretation of the “Jedi” quality standard were supposed to arise.
Gem News published on IGR – Italian Gemological Review #13, Autumn 2021
