Posted by Lennick on August 1, 2014, 10:43 am, in reply to "Re: The originals"
I've often had the same thoughts, Beth. Large rubies, at least those of quality, have always been a rarity.
It's hard to tell from photos but sometimes the stones appear very red and other times they appear pinkish in tone. They also appear to be quite shallow, which would account for the change in colour.
It's just my opinion, but there is something about the whole story which just doesn't add up.
--Previous Message-- : Thank you Nellie. : I agree. : It seems to me that it would not be very : easy for the shape and size of the stones to : be easily replicated. So, I wonder if the : setting was changed. : Various accounts, including Twining's, say : that Queen Alexandra substituted rubies for : the opals, and the inference is that the : setting was not changed. : To me that does not seem something which : could have been done easily.--Not : impossible, I agree, but it seems unlikely, : as it would be very difficult to find rubies : of high quality of the same size and shape : to fit into a setting done during the time : of Queen Victoria. : That is one of the reasons why I asked some : time ago if the stones were spinels. Even : so, I still wonder if the setting is : precisely the same as that of the necklace : and earrings of Queen Victoria. : : --Previous Message-- : : I really have no idea what the answer would : be, but, if the question was raised : seriously within the royal family, I think : that experts working for and within the : Royal Collection would be consulted. : There would probably be a great deal of : research and discussion take place. : Just what the resulting advice might be we : cannot guess, I suggest. : : : --Previous Message-- : Can jewels that are part of the Crown Jewels : be altered by the monarch today? Let's say : swap the rubies for other stones or do they : have to be kept the way they are (except : maybe altering a ring's width)? What if QEII : wanted to change back to moonstones in order : to restore it to its original appearance? : Could she do it? : : --Previous Message-- : I believe this image has been posted on the : board before, but I don't recall by who. It : shows the Oriental tiara with the original : opals and you can also see what are now the : Crown ruby earrings with their original : opals. : : : : : : : : :
on August 1, 2014, 10:43 am, in reply to "