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Illustration of an Indian woman holding a flower
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INDIAN

Spinel

1608-09

RCIN 11526

Spinels are gemmologically similar to rubies but have a greater lustre, durability and hardness. The Mughal emperors considered them superior to all other precious stones. This spinel is inscribed in Persian with the names of its previous owners: the emperors Jahangir (r. 1605–27), Shah-Jahan (r. 1628–58) and Alamgir (r. 1658–1707), who may have worn it as a turban ornament.

In the late eighteenth century the jewel came into the possession of the Rajas of Nabha. Raja Sir Hira Singh of Nabha (1843–1911) presented it as a coronation gift to King Edward VII in 1901.

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