Ruspoli Sapphire Crystal: Famous Gemstones and Jewelry - 1Earth Jewelry, Gemstone & Appraisals Magazine

The Ruspoli Sapphire During the French Revolution, the Crown Jewels of France were confiscated by the revolutionary government and then stolen by Cadet Guyot. Only a few escaped, including the Ruspoli Sapphire, probably saved by its unusual form.
The Ruspoli Sapphire 135.80 carats	In 1796, the revolutionary government allowed the Museum to choose a few gems for educational purposes. Daubenton, the Museum’s director, chose the Ruspoli Sapphire, cleverly labeling it as a sapphire crystal. Obviously he was lying, but it was for a noble cause. Today the Ruspoli Sapphire can be viewed in the Paris Museum of Natural History.
E.W. Streeter's book Precious Stones and Gems (1892), describes a number of fine sapphires. One of these was in the collection of the Musée au Jardin des Plantes, in Paris, and weighed 133.06 carats. Streeter said it was without flaw. This is undoubtedly the same stone that resides today in Paris's Museum of Natural History, for it is of a distinctive lozenge shape and possesses only six facets, appearing like a huge sapphire rhomb. It is nearly "without flaw," containing one small feather and crystal inclusion.
The same stone was also described by Sourindro Mohun Tagore in his classic, Mani-Málá (1879, 1881), referring to it as the Wooden Spoon Seller’s Sapphire, in reference to the poor man who is said to have found it in Bengal, India.
According to the Paris Museum of Natural History's H.J. Schubnel, the sapphire actually weighs 135.80 carats. In the museum it is known as the Ruspoli Sapphire. During the 17th century, a Roman prince named Ruspoli sold this sapphire to a salesman, who in turn, sold it to King Louis XIV sometime before 1691. At that time it was the third most prominent gem in the French Crown Jewels.