Its history is older than any other gemstone in the royal collection.[2] The stone is thought to have been in the coronation ring of Edward the Confessor, known later as St Edward, who ascended the throne of England in 1042, twenty-four years before the Norman conquest.[3] Edward, one of the last Anglo-Saxon kings of England, was buried with the ring at Westminster Abbey in 1066.
It was reputedly taken from the ring when Edward's body was re-interred at Westminster Abbey in 1163.[4]
How the gem survived the English Civil War in the 17th century is not clear, but it was most likely re-cut into its present form for Charles II after the restoration of the monarchy.[3]
St Edward's Sapphire is on public display with the other Crown Jewels in the Jewel House at the Tower of London.
The sapphire is believed to have originated from Asia, potentially either from Afghanistan or Sri Lanka, which have been famed for their gem-producing corundum deposits since ancient times.[1]
edward, sapphire, octagonal, rose, sapphire, that, forms, part, british, crown, jewels, queen, victoria, crowntype, stonesapphireweightunknown, colorbluecutroseoriginal, owneredward, confessorownerking, charles, iiiits, history, older, than, other, gemstone, r. St Edward s Sapphire is an octagonal rose cut sapphire that forms part of the British Crown Jewels St Edward s SapphireQueen Victoria s crownType of stoneSapphireWeightUnknown 1 ColorBlueCutRoseOriginal ownerEdward the ConfessorOwnerKing Charles IIIIts history is older than any other gemstone in the royal collection 2 The stone is thought to have been in the coronation ring of Edward the Confessor known later as St Edward who ascended the throne of England in 1042 twenty four years before the Norman conquest 3 Edward one of the last Anglo Saxon kings of England was buried with the ring at Westminster Abbey in 1066 It was reputedly taken from the ring when Edward s body was re interred at Westminster Abbey in 1163 4 How the gem survived the English Civil War in the 17th century is not clear but it was most likely re cut into its present form for Charles II after the restoration of the monarchy 3 Queen Victoria added the jewel to the Imperial State Crown giving it a leading role in the centre of the cross at the top of the crown where it remains today in the similar crown worn by King Charles III 5 St Edward s Sapphire is on public display with the other Crown Jewels in the Jewel House at the Tower of London The sapphire is believed to have originated from Asia potentially either from Afghanistan or Sri Lanka which have been famed for their gem producing corundum deposits since ancient times 1 See also EditList of individual gemstonesReferences Edit a b Larif Dr Shihaan 16 March 2008 St Edward s Sapphire Internet Stones Retrieved 1 June 2020 United Empire Vol 28 Royal Commonwealth Society 1937 p 253 a b Younghusband Sir George Cyril Davenport 1919 The Crown Jewels of England Cassell amp Co pp 57 58 Mears Kenneth J Simon Thurley Claire Murphy 1994 The Crown Jewels Historic Royal Palaces Agency p 30 The Imperial State Crown Royal Collection Trust Inventory no 31701 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title St Edward 27s Sapphire amp oldid 1155738093, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
