The tradition of creating lapidary seals was widespread in the Urals. Carl Fabergé was well-acquainted with it, which likely led him to create an object similar in shape to those seals, but different in subject matter. This bust of Emperor Alexander III was cut out of quartz, after which it was matted, giving the stone a unique texture. The sculpture itself was placed on a nephrite pedestal decorated with a gold frame and champlevé enamel. The Emperor’s monogram is presented in rose diamonds encased in silver.