The Order of St Alexander Nevsky was established in 1725 in accordance with the conception of Peter the Great. It had no classes and a previous recipient was promoted by the award of diamond badges. Up until 1816 the badges were made of "ruby glass" and were massive. The cross was attached to a red moire ribbon worn over the left shoulder and the eight-pointed star with the motto "For labours and the fatherland" on the left breast. Badges of the late18th - early 19th century are extremely rare.