Amrita Jhaveri models a 17th century spinel bead necklace with an estimated value of 350,000 pounds Sterling October 2. Spinels come from a district in Afghanistan and until the 20th century the beads, amoungst the most prized stones used by the Mughal emperors, were mistakenly thought by the West to be a type of ruby. Christie's will be holding a two-day sale this month of important Indian jewellery worn by the durbars of the Maharajahs in the 16th and 17th centuries.

BRITAIN