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The Stuart Sapphire
The Stuart Sapphire is a very fine 104-carat oval shaped sapphire, about 1˝ inches in length by 1 inch in
width.
The sapphire adorns the reverse side of the Imperial
State Crown, which features the Cullinan II Diamond on the front,
mounted beneath the Black Prince's
Ruby.
It is part of the British Crown Jewels and is kept in the White Tower at the
Tower of London.
A close up view of the Stuart Sapphire
The Stuart Sapphire has more historical than monetary value.
It is a fine blue color, contains one or two flaws and is drilled at one end so that it could be worn as a
pendant or set in a gold brooch.
The Stuart Sapphire was among the Crown Jewels of King Charles II.
King James II took this sapphire and other jewels with him when he fled to France. From him it passed to his son, Charles Edward, the 'Old Pretender', who
passes it to his son Henry Bentinck, who later became known as Cardinal York. Cardinal
York bequeathed the sapphire with other Stuart relics to King George III.
This famous sapphire was originally set in Queen Victoria's State
Crown on the front below the Black Prince’s
Ruby.
The reverse of The Imperial State Crown showing the Stuart Sapphire.
A new crown was remade for George VI in
1937, nearly identical to Queen Victoria's State
Crown, which had become weak and needed replacing. The stones from the old crown were
transferred to the present Imperial State Crown
which features the Cullinan II Diamond on the
front beneath the Black Prince's Ruby, where the Stuart Sapphire was originally mounted.
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Famous Gemstones and Jewelry