#red ruby spinel

“The largest historical stone of the Russian Empire is the Menshikov Ruby, which adorns the Great Imperial Crown.

This magnificent gemstone is more than twice the size of the so-called Black Prince's Ruby and is also a red, noble spinel.

The Moscow spinel weighs approximately 400 carats, compared to 170 carats for the London stone.

The spinel was purchased in China by a Russian official in the early 18th century, and from 1721 onward, it adorned the imperial crowns of various rulers until it was finally installed on the Great Imperial Crown in 1761. The red stone adorns the diamond-and-pearl crown to this day.

The main imperial regalia is kept in the Diamond Fund exhibition in the Kremlin.”