A case of mistaken identity: The Black Prince’s Ruby
July 15, 2024
From Afghanistan to England’s Tower of London, the Black Prince’s Ruby has traversed time and lore. Yet, despite the popular name marking it as a ruby, the gemstone has been identified as a red spinel weighing approximately 170 carats. The spinel is uncut, set in its rough form as a 5 cm irregular octahedron with rounded edges and a beautiful bright pigeon-blood red colour. The stone has a marked imperfection: A drill hole in one corner which reveals that it had, at some point in its lifetime, been used as a pendant. As it currently stands, the drill hole has been plugged with a small cabochon ruby in a gold slip mount.