Georgian Era Natural Spinel Ring

Georgian Era natural red spinel in a simple 18k gold setting. England. Circa 1790. 

This remarkable ring centers on a richly hued red spinel, a gemstone of exceptional rarity and distinction in the 18th century. Likely sourced from the famed mines of Badakhshan in present-day Afghanistan, the spinel displays a vivid red tone once indistinguishable from ruby — a confusion that persisted until gemological science advanced in the 19th century. In the 1790s, a stone of this size and saturation would have been a prized possession, reserved for the uppermost tiers of society.

Set in a finely crafted yet simple Georgian mount, the ring speaks not only to the opulence of the era but also to the wearer's access to the global trade networks that made such a gemstone available. Surviving examples of this scale and quality are exceptionally rare, making this ring not only a beautiful artifact but a significant piece of jewelry history.

Size 5.75, can be resized.

Centuries-old rings deserve mindful wear—a balance of admiration and care, honoring their age and delicate construction.