An article in the Journal of Archaeological Science, reports on the discovery of a medieval sapphire ring from the Zvolen Castle in Central Slovakia, determining the gem’s country of origin, and how this information offers a history lesson of trade routes as well as the importance of the wearer.
Noémi Beljak Pažinová, Ján Beljak, Peter Bačík, Stanislava Milovská, Bronislava Lalinská-Voleková, and Ján Štubňa, authored the research.
The ring was found at today’s Pustý hrad (deserted) Castle above the city of Zvolen. The prominent Hungarian High Medieval royal castle was built in the late 12th century and served as the administrative centre of the Zvolen County.
The 18-karat golden ring dates from around 1300, and features a reddish-purple sapphire, estimated to weigh approximately 2 carats.
Using standard gemological tests, along with Raman spectroscopy, as well as EDXRF (Energy dispersive X-ray Fluorescence), the authors determined that the sapphire is in fact Sri Lankan.
Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, Volume 66, October 2025, 105203
▻ Trace element EDXRF shows the corundum gemstone originated from Sri Lanka (Ceylon).
▻ Authenticating antique jewelry requires knowledge of historical gemstone types, treatments, and imitations.
▻ The lion image on the ring symbolizes strength, courage, and royalty.
▻ The ring’s history suggests it was worn by a high-ranking church official or dignitary.
Noémi Beljak Pažinová: Writing – review & editing, Writing – original draft, Visualization, Supervision, Project administration, Methodology, Conceptualization.
Ján Beljak: Validation, Investigation.
Peter Bačík: Writing – review & editing, Methodology, Conceptualization.
Stanislava Milovská: Methodology, Investigation, Formal analysis, Data curation.
Bronislava Lalinská-Voleková: Methodology, Investigation, Formal analysis.
Ján Štubňa: Writing – review & editing, Writing – original draft,
Tap here to read a portion of the scientific research paper in ScienceDirect online magazine.
features prove this gem is unheated. Observed in reflected light.
Archaeometric Study of a Unique Medieval Golden Ring with a Ruby Gemstone from the Zvolen Castle, Slovakia – Noémi Beljak Pažinová
The Medieval Gemstone Trade
“The ring’s discovery highlights the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in understanding medieval gemstone trade routes and their usage. Such rings were far more than decorative items. The addition of engraved/carved animals on the ring’s shoulders indicates the influence of medieval iconography and beastly imagery. The wearers used them as symbols of their wealth and societal status and as a spiritual safeguard.”
According to their research, “the gemstone likely arrived in Central Europe via historical trade routes through Aleppo (in Syria) or Constantinople.”
Tap Here to access the research paper.
Rings
“Finger rings have previously been discovered at Zvolen Castle,” it is said, but gold rings with valuable gemstones are extremely unusual in such an environment! “A ruby or sapphire of this size and quality is highly unusual in jewels of this period.”
from LiveScience online Magazine
Clergy
Jewelry such as this were most likely worn by someone in power, possibly holding an office of the church, notes another article about the find, written in Live Science Magazine.
“Such a ring embodied deep spiritual meanings, protective powers, and societal status, allowing the wearer to display wealth while also seeking the divine protection associated with the symbols they bore,” Noémi Beljak Pazinová, an archaeologist at Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, Slovakia, told Live Science in an email.
Research and Timing
“A treasure hunter found the ring in 2001, but archaeologists didn’t receive it until March 2023. The researchers published their findings online June 4 in the Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports.”
The castle fell into disuse in the second half of the 14th century, according to the researchers, and the ring was an accidental find from the residential courtyard. The style of the ring, though, places it around 1300.
Tap here to read the full feature in Live Science.
