The St. Edward’s Sapphire Ring.
The legend of the British Crown Sapphire, one of the most famous sapphires in the world, begins in the mid-11th century.

In 1042, before the coronation of Edward (c. 1003 – January 5, 1066) – the penultimate Anglo-Saxon king of England (from 1042)), a superb sapphire was set into the ring intended for the occasion. It must be said that the stone was chosen very carefully, in keeping with the monarch’s character and habits. He was distinguished by his particular piety, citing St. John the Evangelist as an example, and even earned the appropriate nickname, “The Confessor.”

The king regularly visited Westminster Abbey, where he attended mass, knelt, and prayed. Along the way, he generously distributed alms to those in need and always sought to help them in word and deed. One such day, a beggar approached him, but the monarch had no coins or food left. Rather than abandon the man in need, Edward removed his coronation ring from his finger and gave it to the unfortunate old man. The man thanked him and blessed him.

Many years passed. Edward the Confessor ruled the country in peace and harmony, forgetting the magnificent ring.

Many years later, two pilgrims from the Holy Land returned the ring to the king, telling the following story: One day, on their journey, they were caught in a terrible sandstorm. Just as they were in despair and ready to give up their lives, two men with torches appeared on their path, and between them, an old man. The frail old man, who identified himself as John the Evangelist, saved the pilgrims from an unenviable fate by showing them the way to an inn. The travelers told the elder that they were from England, and he recounted how he had once received a magnificent sapphire ring from the king himself. The saint asked that the jewel be returned to the monarch and that they would meet in heaven in six months.

In 1066, the king died and was buried with the sapphire ring. When his coffin was opened two hundred years later, the body of Edward the Confessor was found perfectly preserved. The clergy of Westminster Abbey removed the ring from the king’s finger and transferred it to the royal treasury. Since then, St. Edward’s sapphire has been part of the Crown Jewels.

In 1936, the sapphire was nearly lost during the funeral of King George V, when an unfortunate incident occurred: the heavy Maltese cross with the sapphire, which crowned the state crown, fell off and fell onto the pavement. This caused the royal family considerable trouble and led to many unpleasant moments. The very next day, Garrard specialists were called to the Tower to repair the royal crown. Since then, court jewelers have been instructed to thoroughly inspect the crown jewels and regalia every winter and restore them if necessary.

The St. Edward’s Sapphire is a 167-carat, rose-cut, dark blue stone. It is set in the center of the upper cross that surmounts the Crown Jewels of the British Empire. It is on display at the Tower of London.
The St. Edward’s Sapphire continues to accompany British monarchs and, when not in use, is displayed alongside other royal jewels.