In honor of July’s official birthstone, we present the bizarre story of the “Timur Ruby,” one of the world’s largest and most historic “rubies.” We use the word “rubies” in quotes, because the massive unfaceted 352.5-carat gem, which resides among the British Crown Jewels, was exposed in 1851 as a red spinel.

The Timur Ruby gets its name from Timur, the ruthless 14th century Turco-Mongol conqueror, who founded the Timurid Empire. Hailing from what is now Uzbekistan, Timur’s military conquests were vast, spanning from Mongolia in the east and the Mediterranean in the west, to India in the south and Russia in the north.

After successfully capturing Delhi in 1398, Timur left India six months later weighed down with a bounty of jewelry and gemstones. One of those stones was the Timur Ruby.

The unfaceted stone has a semi-polished flat face that is inscribed in Arabic script with the names of four Mughal emperors and two Persian rulers who possessed the stone. The inscriptions are dated between 1612 and 1771.

In 1841 or 1842, the fourth Maharaja of the Sikh Empire, Sher Singh, sat for a portrait wearing the Timur Ruby around his neck. Gracing his biceps were two massive and equally famous diamonds: the 186-carat Koh-i-Noor and the 182-carat Daria-i-Noor, both set within a golden armlet. (Singh met his untimely death in 1843 at the age of 43).

In 1849, when the British East India Company took over the Punjab region (which is now eastern Pakistan and northern India), it also confiscated the Timur Ruby and the massive diamonds from ruler Ranjit Singh.
The East India Company presented the Timur Ruby to Queen Victoria in 1851. The Queen was so excited about the gift that she wrote the following in her journal: “The [Timur Ruby] is the largest in the world, therefore even more remarkable than the Koh-i-Noor!”
Later that same year, advancements in gemology and mineralogy led to the determination that the “largest ruby in the world” was actually a big spinel.
Nevertheless, Garrards, the British crown jeweler, set the Timur Ruby in an Oriental-inspired necklace in April 1853. Two months later, the jeweler adjusted the necklace to allow the Timur Ruby to be detached for use as a brooch and to alternate with the recently re-cut Koh-i-Noor diamond.
Today, the Timur Ruby resides among the priceless British Crown Jewels, but has never been worn by a British Royal. Some speculate that members of the monarchy were hesitant to wear the necklace for fear of backlash from critics, who see the piece as historically Indian.
Gemologists know now that it’s virtually impossible for a ruby to be 350-plus carats. They understand that chromium atoms incorporated in a ruby’s aluminum oxide crystal give the gem its rich, red color. They also acknowledge that the chromium so vital to the ruby’s beauty is also responsible for causing fissures in the crystal, making rubies larger than 3 carats in size extremely rare and very valuable.
Credit: Painting of Maharaja Sher Singh by August Schoefft, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. Photo of Timur sculpture by user:shakko, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Every natural diamond tells a story of time, beauty, and love. At Elliott's Jewelers, we cherish the uniqueness of naturally mined diamonds—because your forever deserves nothing less. 💎❤️
Call or text Elliott's Jewelers today at (936) 661-5363 or book an appointment online at:
www.elliottsjewelers.com/book-an-appointment/
Browse online at:
www.elliottsjewelers.com/shop/ ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Celebrate a Love That Lasts This Valentine’s
The perfect Valentine’s surprise—FREE with a $3,000+ purchase.
Valued at over $350, this exclusive package is available for a limited time!
Don’t miss the chance to make this Valentine’s Day one she’ll never forget. Includes dinner, roses and candy and more.
Learn more about this fantastic package ...https://www.elliottsjewelers.com/celebrate-a-love-that.../
Reserve yours today at www.elliottsjewelers.com/book-an-appointment/ with Elliott or call 936-251-6799 ... See MoreSee Less
Shop Now
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Something really Special for Valentine's Day.......or any other day!
We offer only natural real genuine mined diamonds.
By Appointment Only. Available 6 days a week.
Come view our complete selection in our showroom!
Visit www.elliottsjewelers.com/book-an-appointment or call 936-661-5363 ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
A new year, a new chapter. Redesign family treasures or create something fresh. Elliott’s Jewelers offers personal appointments to focus on you.
Call Elliott's Jewelers today at (936) 661-5363 or book an appointment online at:
www.elliottsjewelers.com/book-an-appointment/
Browse online at:
www.elliottsjewelers.com/shop/ ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Something really Special for Valentine's Day.......or any other day!
We offer only natural real genuine mined diamonds.
By Appointment Only. Available 6 days a week.
Come view our complete selection in our showroom!
Visit www.elliottsjewelers.com/book-an-appointment or call 936-661-5363 ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
We make something unique and special to last a lifetime- Just for you. By appointment 6 days a week. We make one of a kind jewelry she wants to wear. Elliott’s Jewelers is a private jeweler. Schedule your appointment here www.elliottsjewelers.com/book-an-appointment/ or call 936-661-5363 ... See MoreSee Less
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Something really Special for Valentine's Day.......or any other day!
Naturally Yellow Oval genuine diamonds are surrounded by white natural diamonds set in 14 kt white gold with a total diamond weight of 1.44 carats. The PERFECT Anniversary Ring!
Regular Price $4,500. !!!! SALE Priced: $2,929. !!!!
By Appointment Only. Available 6 days a week. Come view our complete selection in our showroom!
Visit www.elliottsjewelers.com/book-an-appointment or call 936-661-5363 ... See MoreSee Less
Call Now
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Elliott’s Jewelers Launches 2nd Annual Jewel Box: A Heart for CASA Campaign ... See MoreSee Less
Elliott’s Jewelers Launches 2nd Annual Jewel Box: A Heart for CASA Campaign
hellohuntsvilletx.com
Support CASA with Elliott’s Jewelers’ Jewel Box campaign. A $40 donation gets you a jewelry gift box. Pick up in Huntsville, TX.3 CommentsComment on Facebook
@followers @topfans
. Now cm. Ejvjv.e. Kd vue gi. Bk o.,..
Thank you for your heart for those in need ❣️
Something really Special for Valentine's Day.......or any other day!
We offer only natural real genuine mined diamonds.
By Appointment Only. Available 6 days a week.
Come view our complete selection in our showroom!
Visit www.elliottsjewelers.com/book-an-appointment or call 936-661-5363 ... See MoreSee Less
Shop Now
Elliott's Jewelers, Huntsville TX Favorite Jeweler
www.elliottsjewelers.com
I get to create beautiful, memorable and emotional jewelry for customers who become lifelong friends. Call me to learn more.0 CommentsComment on Facebook
✨ Discover the True Meaning of "Private Jeweler" with Elliott's Jewelers. ✨
When you think of private jewelers, do high prices come to mind? At Elliott's Jewelers in Huntsville, TX, we believe exceptional jewelry should be accessible and affordable! 💎
Imagine designing a unique piece crafted just for you—without hidden fees! We work closely with you to create jewelry that fits your style and budget.
Every custom design appointment includes:
🌟 A personal consultation with our skilled designer, Elliott.
A realistic 3D rendering of your design to bring your vision to life.
Accurate, fair pricing, high-quality craftsmanship and much, much, much more.
Would you be ready to start designing your perfect piece?
Please book your for appointment. Available 6 days a week. www.elliottsjewelers.com/book-an-appointment/ or call us at 936-661-5363!
Let’s bring your jewelry dreams to life! www.elliottsjewelers.com ... See MoreSee Less
4 CommentsComment on Facebook
Love my experience Elliott's Jewelers - Huntsville, TX. Elliott is wonderful to work with and is honest and not pushy. I ended up getting 2 rings that I love and will cherish forever.
Truer words were never spoken! Elliott is a pleasure to work with and does an amazing job listening to what you want and boy does he deliver. I will never go anywhere else!
Looking good Elliott!
Make your old jewelry work for you! 🌟 At Elliott's Jewelers, every piece holds value. Trade in your unworn treasures for funds or upgrade to something new and sparkling. Refresh your collection today. See how far your jewelry can take you with us!
💍 Find out more: www.elliottsjewelers.com/sell-your-jewelry/ By appointment 6 days a week.
Call Elliott's Jewelers today at (936) 661-5363 or book an appointment online www.elliottsjewelers.com/book-an-appointment/
Browse online at www.elliottsjewelers.com/shop/ ... See MoreSee Less
Call Now
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Something really Special for Valentine's Day.......or any other day!
We offer only natural real genuine mined diamonds.
By Appointment Only. Available 6 days a week.
Come view our complete selection in our showroom!
Visit www.elliottsjewelers.com/book-an-appointment or call 936-661-5363 ... See MoreSee Less
1 CommentComment on Facebook
I been missing you on my FB page