The Crown Jewel of the Harrison Saunders Collection is the incomparable 708-carat El Corazon del Jaguar, quite likely the largest gem-quality red stone in the world. The exact origin of this polished spessartine garnet is unknown, but it is believed to have been discovered in Brazil in the middle of the last century. ElCorazonIt is unsurpassed in the depth and richness of its intense claret color. Few, if any, of the red stones found in the national and royal collections around the world can match its combination of size, color and clarity. A magnificent, stunningly beautiful gem, El Corazon del Jaguar is truly one of the great gemstones of the world.

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The Great Red Gemstones of the World
  1. El Corazon del Jaguar. Unmounted, polished spessartine garnet, currently in the Harrison Saunders Collection in Austin, Texas. 708 cts.
  2. Topkapi. Unspecified polished red stone in the Topkapi Palace Collection, Istanbul. Previously located in the tomb of the prophet Mohammed in Medina, Saudi Arabia. Weight unknown, but measuring and appearing slightly smaller than El Corazon.
  3. Red Spinel. Unmounted, polished stone in the Crown Jewels of Iran. Estimated at around 500 cts.
  4. La Bella. Called a “hyacinth” (probably a garnet), polished stone set as the body of a double eagle in the Austro-Hungarian Crown Jewels, Vienna, Austria. 416 cts.
  5. Red Spinel. Polished stone on top of a crown in the Russian Crown Jewel Collection, Moscow. 399 cts.
  6. Timur “Ruby.” Called “Tribute of the World.” Actually a polished, engraved spinel set in a diamond necklace, in the private collection of Queen Elizabeth of England. 361-375 cts.
  7. Red Spinel. The centerpiece of Nader Shah's shield. Now covered with diamonds, emeralds, spinels and rubies, the shah carried this shield into battel in India. 225 cts.
  8. Hixon Ruby. A beautiful, natural crystal in the Los Angeles County Natural History Museum. Excellent color but opaque, not of transparent gem quality. 196 cts.
  9. The Black Prince's “Ruby.” Actually a polished spinel set in the British Imperial Crown, in the Tower of London. 174 cts.
  10. Edwardes Ruby. Unmounted stone in the British Museum of Natural History, London. 167 cts.
  11. Smithsonian. A cut spessartine garnet, the pride of the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, DC. 109 cts.