It was thought that Q Mary may have not been keen on rubies as her engagement ring to Victor Albert was a ruby.
--Previous Message-- : : This is what the Royal Collection used to : say, but the link and pic have gone - : : Made for Queen Victoria and originally set : with opals, possibly to the designs of : Prince Albert. It was altered in 1888 and : again in 1902, when Queen Alexandra had the : opals replaced by rubies. This tiara was a : particular favourite of Queen Elizabeth, and : she wore it for the banquet at the British : Embassy, 20 July 1938. : : --Previous Message-- : : Could be. I don't have that fine knowledge : of gems. : : : --part of Previous Message-- : : I suspect that, if the stones are not : rubies, then they are either spinels or : Rubelites. : : : : :