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This is a large ring set with a deep reddish pink spinelFrequently called "Balas Ruby", a term derived from Badakshan, the name of the district in Afghanistan which is said to have been the source of the finest stones in mediaeval times. Spinels are often mistaken for rubies, perhaps the most famous of these is the "Black Prince"s Ruby" in the Imperial State Crown which is actually a red spinel and the "Timur Rub.... Spinels are naturalA natural stone is called such because it has not been subjected to any treatments. stones and the red colour that closely resembles a rubyOne of the most valuable gemstones on earth. From the corundum family, the red variety being ruby and the blue, sapphire. With the exception of the diamond, corundum is the hardest of the gemstones on the Mohs scale scoring a 9. is very sought after. It is surrounded by good white old mine cutAn 18th, 19th and early 20th century diamond shape, typically cushion or asymmetrical, marked by a small table, a high crown and a large culet. Culets are the small flat facets at the bottom of a stone which appear to the untrained eye as a hole in the middle of the stone. Before the advent of modern machinery which allows for the precise faceting we see tod... diamonds. It was made circa 1880 and was probably sold as a ruby at the time! In antiqueFrom the Latin 'antiquus', meaning 'old and long in existence', it is generally used to refer to collectible artifacts of at least 100 years of age.
jewellery, one will hardly ever encounter spinels although the jewellers from days gone by may have used them as rubies and did not realise that red spinels are even rarer. A famous example is the ‘Black Prince’s Ruby’ which was actually a large, irregular cabochonA polished, not faceted, dome shaped stone - either round or oval with a flat polished base, primarily used as a cut for phenomenal stones such as cat's eyes and stars.
red spinel weighing 170 caratsThe unit of weight for a diamond or other gemstone and also for a pearl. Abbreviated 'ct', 1 carat is equal to 0.2 grams. In reference to gold, a unit of purity or fineness of gold and gold alloy, expressed as a number out of 24 parts by weight, e.g. '24 carat' signifies pure gold, '18 carat' 18/24th gold in the alloy, et cetera. Also abbreviated as 'c... (34 g) set in the front of the United Kingdom’s Queen Elizabeth II’s State Crown. The spinel is one of the oldest of the Crown Jewels, with a history dating back to the middle of the 14th century. It has been in the possession of England’s rulers since it was given in 1367 to its namesake, Edward of Woodstock,”Black Prince”. So this ring would make a very impressive engagement ring. Your very own crown jewel!
Unmarked, tested to 18ct gold
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