The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-06-25
JEWELS IN THE KING OF
ENGLAND'S CROWN.
MOST important Are Large SpineI
Ruby, a Pale sapphire, and a Small
COlOred SAPPHIRE.

COIOred sapphire.
From the London Globe.
The most important historic Jewels
in the present imperial crown are the
large spinel ruby in the center of the
front crosspatee, the large pale sap
phire on the circlet of the crown in
the center of the cross-patee above the
mound at the top of the crown.
The history of the so-called ruby is
we'll known and is of great interest.
In the fourteenth century, says Mr..
Cyril Davenport in The Connoisseur.
1t belonged to the King of Granada,
and Pedro the Cruel, King of CASTLE,
received the King under the guise of
friendship in the Alcazar at Seville.
Here he was murdered for the sake of
his jewels, among which was this
stone. Pedro afterward gave il to Ed
ward, the Black Prince after the hat
tie of Navarette, as a mark of graft
tude for his successful help, and it is
also supposed to have been worn in
the crown of Henry V at Agincollrt.
On this occasion it may have helped
to save Kings life, as the Due d'Al-
encon aimed a blow at Henry, which
was turned by his crown, then worn
over his helmet.
The stone is finely colored. deem
red spinet, a mineral which is chiefly
found in the river beds of Ceylon Bur
ma and Siam. Like most Oriental
stones, this particular jewel has been
pierced; the top of the piercing is now
filled by a small ruby set in gold. and
the stone is uncut, but polished on it's
natural irregular surface 1t is irregu-
larly drop-shaped, and about two
inches in length.
The second notable jewel in the i'm
perial crown is the large pale SAP
phire in the front of the circle4 II
was worn in the crown of Charles TT
and ultimately became the propertv of
Cardinal York, who bequeathed it TO
the Prince Regent, afterward George
~. The Prince gave it to the Prin
cess Charlotte, but on her death it
was returned, as it was properly con-
sldered TO be a crown Jewel II ia
partially pierced, which NAV mear ~
was intended to be used as a bead but
never finished; or it might perhaps
nave been intended to serve as a sun
port Tor an, aigrette, in which case a
haH-ptercing would be enough II ;s
cut encabochon, as most ancient and
medieval stones were and as colored
stones should be. the edges being trim
meo into the form of long symmetri-
cal oval. No doubt this is an Oriental
SUM IL Is ABOUT TWO inches in length
Edward the Confessor's emerald is
much smaller and of a deep color: If
mas been recut in brilliant form, prob
ably for Charles ii, which was ouita
unnecessary II is said 10 have hean
taken out of the Confessor's ring which
was buried with him, and II has the
reputation OF being an antidote to
cramp. A story told about il ralsted
tnat the Confessor, In one Of his vralks
about Westminster, met a beggar who
asked Tor aims, and the Saint being
~ mat moment short Of money. gave
MIN his ring in charity IN the nsme
OF -. John. Some time afteruard
some English pilgrims. TRAVELLING In
me HOLY Land, got into dlficulfies
ara consulted an old man. a stranger
VINO happened 20 be IN their connoar,,
on hearing The travellers were Ens.
hsh, be revealed himself 10 them a.
saint John, the special patron ~ "a
ward, King ~ England ana he assis,-
~ mem out - their troubles. ana
save them ring % take back M thelr