Geegaws and gimcracks in the desert

Yesterday’s Post headline, “Dead Ringer”. Nicely done.

The NY Post took a picture of the late, lamented Mr. Soleimani’s ring down to the city’s Diamond District and the experts were unimpressed.

Dealers believe the distinctive ring worn by Soleimani is either a red carnelian stone — believed by some Middle East Muslims as able to bestow “blessings”– or possibly an inexpensive ruby that would cost a few hundred bucks.

“From the photo, it looks like it’s a carnelian stone — it’s not a ruby; it comes from Africa,” said Maykel Rieth, a professional cutter for R Gems Inc on West 48th Street.

“The ring is made out of silver,” he continued.

“It could be white gold, but it looks like silver — and whoever made a stone like this is not going to put it in gold because it’s not an expensive piece.”

Another jeweler, from Paillon Jewelry, agreed it was a silver band, and said that gives away that the piece is cheap.

….

Whatever its cash worth, the stone still significant within the Islamic faith, particularly among the Shia sect, according to Freddy, 33,  who works at Taste of Persia Pizzeria and hails from Libya.

“That’s a religious ring. That little rock that you see inside is a type of blessing,” Freddy said. He asked his last name not be used.

“Back in the day, the messengers used to carry those type of rings with that stone or rock inside,” he said. “It’s a blessing for them to carry on their journey, so for you to carry that type of ring you’re associated with that type of religion.”

….

Rieth guessed that even with the intricate engravings on the band, the ring would be easy to replicate — probably at the cost of $400 to $500.

“Anybody can manufacturer that ring,” he said. “If you show me a better picture, I can copy it.”

FWIW’s New Mexico correspondent, who follows goings-on in the Shia sect, notes that “the beaming” Jewish merchant “was no doubt delighted to assist the Post’s reporters with their gruesome assignment”.

Exactly so.