Royal Ruby Jewellery

[Duchess Ravenna]

Originally Posted by Elspeth

Actually, rubies are among the most valuable precious stones. They're certainly more expensive than diamonds of the same weight, and they rarely show up as large stones. You won't see the same huge chunks of rubies as you do of sapphires and emeralds. In that respect, they're actually somewhat more discreet rather than tacky. Any time you see a great big red stone, the chances are that it's a spinel or a garnet or something, not a ruby.

Rubies do show up in humongous sizes, but, as you say, not in gorgeous clear unincluded stones. I have a pendant of one gigantic round polished genuine ruby cabochon that weighs in at almost 800 carats (yes, that's right, eight hundred!), but it's totally opaque. A very pretty medium-dark raspberry color, it has a bit of a cat's-eye sheen (chatoyancy) to it, but it's not transparent in the slightest. It may not be clear, but it's a real ruby!

And therefore not expensive: I paid about a hundred dollars for it, from my Bangkok gem dealer, who was selling it as a rather posh paperweight! He was very amused that anyone would have it set to wear around her neck, and suggested it's probably making my neck muscles really, really strong.
Plus I could use it as a weapon, if necessary...

And you're right too, Elspeth, that the famous big royal red stones are spinels, also known as balas rubies: the Timur "ruby", the Black Prince's "ruby", both are natural spinels. But just as beautiful, I think.

Oddly, my gem dealer says that blue sapphires of this included, opaque type almost never show up in big monster sizes. (Because of course I wanted one...) He didn't know why, but the biggest opaque cabochon blue sapphires he'd ever sold were around 15 carats apiece. You see really big transparent blue sapphires, like Diana's wedding gift from the Queen Mum, but for some reason not that many opaque sapphires the size of my ruby. Weird...since sapphires, like rubies, are corundum.

[sgl]

Wow, Duchess Ravenna! Your story is very interesting. I cannot imagine an 800 karat ruby paperweight! I love the color of the French ruby parure that was sold. It looks like a raspberry color (which I think is beautiful).

[jcbcode99]

While I don't love the tiara, I do love the necklace and brooches of the Dutch Ruby tiara:
Ruby Parure

[RubyPrincess168]

I too happen to prefer the opaque versions of Sapphires, Rubies and Emeralds. It's not just that it's the only version I can afford, but I think of them as rare. I don't see many people wearing them, at least not larger versions of them. Most are tiny or "created" versions of the stones.

[Menarue]

I have a 20 carat star sapphire and its colour is greyish blue, precious stones when cut in cabachon do look opaque. With sapphires and rubies they have to be cut that way to see the star.
I must add that I have a large SA slightly included emerald (garden/jardin it is called) and I also have a totally clear smaller(2ct) Colombian emerald and I have no doubt which one has the prettiest colour. Colombians are gorgeous.
The Ruby pendant must be spectacular. My grandmother had the first name Ruby which first gave me my interest in this gem.

[rubies]

Originally Posted by jcbcode99

While I don't love the tiara, I do love the necklace and brooches of the Dutch Ruby tiara:
Ruby Parure

I have wondered if the ruby part of the necklace can be removed. The diamonds are so beautiful it would be great if you could put other pieces in there(emerald, saphire)!

[Lady Marmalade]

I think it is wonderful how Queen Beatrix shares almost all the Dutch Royal Jewels with all her daughters-in-law, sisters, and even nieces-in-law, as in the case of Ears Of Wheat Tiara for their weddings.

I wish Queen Elizabeth would be a little more open.. God only knows what is in those vaults we have not seen..

[rubies]

Originally Posted by Lady Marmalade

I think it is wonderful how Queen Beatrix shares almost all the Dutch Royal Jewels with all her daughters-in-law, sisters, and even nieces-in-law, as in the case of Ears Of Wheat Tiara for their weddings.

I wish Queen Elizabeth would be a little more open.. God only knows what is in those vaults we have not seen..

I agree, and to me it doesn't seem to make sense. Why not let the lesser subjects borrow them. I just love to look at them, we already know they are there so whats the big deal. The talented jeweler who made them, his work should be appreciated and admired!

[MARG]

Originally Posted by Lady Marmalade

I wish Queen Elizabeth would be a little more open.. God only knows what is in those vaults we have not seen..

Every now and then I have this awful dream that the "Vaults" have been opened and . . . . .there was nothing in them!

[RubyPrincess168]

Or it's not as grand as we thought...........Shells of former crowns and tiaras, ugly jewelry (like that opal thing) and leftover bits.

[maria-olivia]

Do you have in your country a place called "Mont de Piété "?
Old has been Ladies (mistresses or others) are giving their jewellery of their glory past.They receive money .
One year after if nobody shows in , they are sold in an auction.