22nd Anniversary
gemstone: Spinel.
Twenty-two years — the stone that outlived its imposture
Quick answer
The 22nd anniversary gemstone is Spinel. The 22nd anniversary traditional gift is copper — the most conductive common metal, naturally antimicrobial, and among the first humans ever smelted. Spinel, the modern stone, is copper's soulmate in narrative: it spent centuries being mistaken for ruby and sapphire. The Black Prince's Ruby — 170 carats of red spinel set in the British Imperial State Crown and carried into the Battle of Agincourt — is the most famous impostor in gemological history. The correction came late and was transformative: since spinel was properly identified in the nineteenth century and actively marketed from the 2000s, prices for fine red spinel have risen more than tenfold. At Mohs 8 with no cleavage (cubic crystal system), spinel is among the most durable colored stones in jewelry — a Mohs 8, no-cleavage stone for a no-cracks twenty-two-year marriage. Primary sources are Myanmar's Mogok Valley (the chromium-red Jedi spinel), Tajikistan's Kuh-i-Lal mine (closed for years, tightening supply), and Sri Lanka. Fine reds run $1,000-3,500 per carat — one-tenth the price of equivalent ruby, which is exactly the arbitrage the market is closing.
22nd anniversary gift ideas
- ✓Spinel ring — the newly celebrated stone
- ✓A copper piece — the traditional gift
- ✓Red spinel earrings — the ruby look, without the ruby price
- ✓A copper bowl with spinel accent
- ✓A Jedi spinel from Mogok for the serious collector
Spinel for your 22nd
The 22nd anniversary is the spinel anniversary. Every piece below can be personalized with her own birthstone in a spinel setting — spinel for the milestone, her stone for her.
18K Gold Vermeil
Star Birthstone Necklace — All 12 Months
✦ Choose your birth month stone — all 12 months available
2-Stone ring
Birthstone Stack Ring Set (2 Rings)
S925 Sterling Silver
Birthstone Drop Necklace — All 12 Months
✦ Choose your birth month — 12 natural gemstones
18K Gold Vermeil
Birthstone Charm Hoops
22nd anniversary FAQ
What is the gemstone for the 22nd anniversary?
Spinel is the modern 22nd anniversary stone. Copper is the traditional gift.
What is the Black Prince's Ruby?
A 170-carat red spinel — not a ruby — set in the British Imperial State Crown. It was carried into the Battle of Agincourt and is the most famous example of spinel being mistaken for ruby throughout history.
Why have spinel prices risen so much?
Since spinel was properly identified and actively marketed from the 2000s, demand has surged while supply from Myanmar and Tajikistan has tightened. Fine red spinel has risen more than tenfold in two decades.
Is spinel durable enough for daily wear?
Yes — Mohs 8, no cleavage, cubic crystal system. Spinel is one of the most durable colored stones, suitable for daily-wear rings.