303 - Gold ring set with a red semi-precious stone surrounded by old-cut diamonds; the sides are adorned with small ridges.

Gold ring set with a red semi-precious stone surrounded by old-cut diamonds; the sides are adorned with small ridges. Engraved “A II” beneath a crown—January 28, 1860 The center stone may have been added later. TDD 53-54. 8.09 g gross weight 750/1000 Private collection, Loire Valley, since the 1950s The inscription likely indicates that the ring was given on January 28, 1860, by Tsar Alexander II, who reigned from 1855 to 1881. This date marks the birth of Grand Duchess Anastasia Mikhailovna (1860–1922), daughter of Grand Duke Mikhail Nikolaevich of Russia (son of Tsar Nicholas I and younger brother of Alexander II) and Princess Cecile of Baden. She later married Grand Duke Frederick Francis of Mecklenburg-Schwerin (1851–1897).