DATE: Victorian, c.1880

A spectacular antique Navaratna ring, dating from the late 19th Century - circa 1880. Navaratna is a Sanskrit word literally meaning "nine gems"... but there's more to it that that. This combination of nine gems has been regarded as sacred and royal in many Asian countries since ancient times. Each gem represents a different planet or celestial body in the solar system: a Ruby at the centre for the sun, pearl for moon, red coral for Mars, Emerald for Mercury, Yellow Sapphire for Jupiter, Diamond for Venus, Blue Sapphire for Saturn, Hessonite for Rahu (ascending Lunar Node), and Cat's eye for Ketu (descending Lunar Node). The ring is modelled in 18 karat gold, and holds the stones in a square grid pattern - three by three.

STONES 

Emerald, Diamond, Pearl, Yellow Sapphire, Ruby, Coral, Cat's Eye, Blue Sapphire, Hessonite Garnet

MEASUREMENTS 

Head: 1.0 x 1.0cm

Width of band: 2.3mm

WEIGHT 

3.9g

MARKS 

No marks present, tests as 18k gold

CONDITION 

Very good