[17] Mines in the Gorno Badakhshan region of Tajikistan constituted for centuries the main source for red and pink spinels.

[9] It also occurs as a primary mineral in rare mafic igneous rocks; in these igneous rocks, the magmas are relatively deficient in alkalis relative to aluminium, and aluminium oxide may form as the mineral corundum or may combine with magnesia to form spinel.

[22] Spinel, (Mg,Fe)Al2O4, is a common mineral in the Ca-Al-rich inclusions (CAIs) in some chondritic meteorites.

[23] Spinel has long been found in the gemstone-bearing gravel of Sri Lanka and in limestones of the Badakshan Province in modern-day Afghanistan and Tajikistan; and of Mogok in Myanmar.

[16][24] Since 2000, in several locations around the world, spinels have been discovered with unusual vivid pink or blue colors.

Such "glowing" spinels are known from Mogok (Myanmar),[25] Mahenge plateau (Tanzania), Lục Yên District (Vietnam)[26] and some more localities.

[30] Synthetic spinel, which looks like glass but has notably higher strength against pressure, can also have applications in military and commercial use.