Black Prince's Ruby

The gemstone at the front of the Imperial State Crown

The Black Prince's Ruby is a large, irregular cabochon red spinel weighing 170 carats (34 g) set in the cross pattée above the Cullinan II diamond at the front of the Imperial State Crown of the United Kingdom.[1] The spinel is one of the oldest parts of the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom, 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 (the "Black Prince").[2] The stone is believed to have originated from the Badakhshan mines in present day Afghanistan[3] and Tajikistan,[4] the principal source of large spinel gems in the Middle Ages.

  1. ^ "The Imperial State Crown". Royal Collection Trust. Inventory no. 31701.
  2. ^ Butler, Sir Thomas (1989). The Crown Jewels and Coronation Ceremony. Pitkin. p. 6. ISBN 978-0-85372-467-4.
  3. ^ "Spinel History and Lore". Gemological Institute of America. Archived from the original on 2 August 2013. Retrieved 18 May 2021.
  4. ^ Larif, Dr. Shihaan (27 February 2008). "Black Prince Ruby". Internet Stones. Retrieved 31 October 2022.