Ring

Sapphires and rubies are varieties of the mineral corundum, the hardest gem mineral after diamond. Small quantities of chromium in corundum cause rubies to be red. Sapphire is the name given to any other gem corundum. Varying amounts and combinations of iron, titanium and chromium cause the range of colours of sapphires, from blues to yellows, pink-oranges and greens.
This ring was bequeathed to the V&A in 1869 by the collector, cleric and poet, Reverend Chauncy Hare Townshend as part of a group of 154 gems. Sir A .H. Church compiled a catalogue to the collection. He also donated part of his own collection in 1913.