Despite its name, the Black Prince’s
#Ruby is not a ruby at all, but a magnificent red
#spinel one of the most famous gemstone mistakes in royal history.
Its story stretches back over six centuries, beginning in the 14th century when it is believed to have belonged to Abū Saʿīd, the ruler of
#Granada, before passing into the hands of Edward of
#Woodstock, known as the Black Prince.
The stone later became part of England’s crown jewels and was famously worn by Henry V at the Battle of Agincourt in 1415.
For centuries it was believed to be a ruby, a misunderstanding only corrected in modern times with advanced
#gemological analysis.
Today, it sits prominently in the Imperial State Crown, a dazzling reminder that history is often written not only in gold and power, but also in misidentified stones that still manage to become legends.
#BlackPrincesRuby #CrownJewels #History #Gemstones #MedievalHistory #RoyalHistory #Spinel #England #JewelryHistory #DidYouKnow