Small Balkans knife
 

Another piece I've owned for some time; paid way too much for it, but I fell in love with the stylized owl hilt. I have the scabbard, simple leather over wood that I didn't bother photographing....

http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL151.../230179264.jpg

Any idea whether the stones would be rubies or garnets? I'm thinking of replacing a couple missing ones, if I can find a match. At that size there's not much difference in price, I just don't know which was more likely to be used....

Hi Brian,

Looks like rubies or garnets would work fine. The stones you have are a bit lighter and more translucent than garnets I have seen, so I would look to rubies. You should be able to find some small cabachons on eBay. There is also a special jewelry glue that you might try to make sure they don't get lost as well.

Both of these stones are quite hard, I think that garnets are harder, so you need to find a close size, as, without the proper equipment, they will be difficult to resize.

Good luck with the finished product. Post some pics when you complete it!
:)

Actually, rubies and sapphires are the hardest stones, second only to diamond (rubies and sapphires are both made of corundum). Garnet would be softer in comparison. I would suggest that you take this to a jeweler first and see what the stones are. They might even be made of paste glass, common for this region.

I think from pics glass replacements sound right. nice piece and that would be totally correct for the period

Sounds like quite a corundum.

Some people will say anything to garnet a little attention.... :D

Ohh NOooooo

Thank you - I love good punishment. :D