Ring

Spodumene has, since its first discovery in the middle of the 19th century, been mistaken for other minerals such as chrysoberyl and euclase. Spodumene can be colourless, yellow, green, pink or purple. It is not often found in jewellery because it has fairly strong planes of cleavage (it may part along planes of inherent weakness when under pressure from cutting and polishing and from general wear).

The V&A owns an important collection of 154 gems bequeathed by the Reverend Chauncy Hare Townshend, a cleric and poet. Sir A. H. Church gave additional specimens, including this one, in 1913. He also compiled the first catalogue Precious Stones: A Guide to the Townshend Collection. The first edition appeared in 1883. The stones are mounted as rings, although they may not have been intended to be worn.