Khushboo Malhotra
Queen Elizabeth II sported some of the most fascinating and memorable jewellery during her lifetime. Her collection was absolutely unsurpassed, whether they were commissioned, inherited, or gifts. We are looking back at her unmatched sense of style in remembrance of her extraordinary life and the enduring legacy she will leave. Here, we’re recalling some of the most astonishing gems, breathtaking tiaras, and unimaginable crowns owned by the Queen!
Image by WikiImages from Pixabay
Kohinoor
Kohinoor is touted as the most precious and one of the largest cut diamonds (105.6 carats), currently set in the Imperial State Crown, worn by Queen Elizabeth II. The timeless diamond has been at the centre of political and judicial controversy in India amid disputes over its ownership. Upon the Queen’s death, the Indian netizens called upon Britain to return the Kohinoor diamond to its country of origin (via Livemint).
Imperial State Crown
Queen Elizabeth II wore the Imperial State Crown during her seven-decade-long reign as the monarch of England. It was designed in 1937 for the coronation of King George VI, and in 1967, the Queen wore it to the Opening of Parliament. It is laden with 2,868 brilliantly-cut diamonds, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds and 269 pearls mounted in its platinum frame featuring some of the most spectacular gems: Kohinoor, the 317.4 carat Cullinan II diamond, the Stuart Sapphire and the Black Prince’s Ruby. Now that the Queen has passed, in all likelihood, the crown will be passed on to the Queen Consort Camilla Parker Bowles.
The Diamond Diadem
The George IV State Diadem or the Diamond Diadem crown is set with 1,333 diamonds and a pale yellow diamond inside the front cross, all resting on two rows of pearls on either side and a diamond bandeau. The motifs (thistle, rose and shamrock) are the symbols of Scotland, England and Ireland, showcasing the unity of the nation. It has been featured in paintings and on stamps and currency, making it instantly recognisable around the world.
St Edward’s Crown
Even though the Imperial State Crown is closely associated with the former monarch by the masses, it was the St Edward’s Crown that was used for the actual crowning. It is the centrepiece of the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom. The combined price of all the jewels and gold used in the making of St Edward’s Crown is estimated to be over 3.6 million pounds, but the crown itself is practically priceless due to its historical and symbolic value.
Delhi Durbar Necklace
One of the Queen’s most prized possessions was the breathtaking Delhi Durbar necklace. It is studded with exquisite nine emeralds (originally owned by Queen Mary’s grandmother the Duchess of Cambridge), and an 8.8-carat dazzling diamond cut from the Cullinan diamond, set in platinum and gold. It constitutes a modern design with a pair of negligee pendants and alternating diamonds. The magnificent necklace was the centrepiece of a suite of jewellery created for the Delhi Durbar for Queen Mary in 1911.
Pearl Necklace
The Queen’s first ‘real’ piece of jewellery, and deeply sentimental to her, was a three-strand pearl choker necklace—a gift from her beloved grandfather, King George V, when she was only nine years old; thus, it remained a gorgeous reminder of their special bond.
The Robe of Estate
The Robe of Estate worn by The Queen for her Coronation at Westminster Abbey on 2 June 1953 is currently on display at Windsor Castle. It is made of deep purple silk velvet and embroidered in gold thread with a crowned ‘EIIR’ monogram.
The Williamson Pink Diamond
The Williamson pink diamond brooch is considered the rarest and most refined pink diamond ever discovered. This 54.5-carat diamond was presented to the Queen as a wedding present by Dr John Thorburn Williamson. The pink diamond was set in the centre of 203 white diamonds in a floral brooch which made up the petal, stalk and leaves. It was designed by Frederick Mew of Cartier, London, in 1953, and is worth estimated to be $33.9 million (£25million).
Cullinan Diamond
Known as the largest gem-quality uncut diamond ever found, Cullinan Diamond (3,106.75 carats) was presented to King Edward VII in 107 by the Government of the Transvaal as a symbolic gesture intended to heal the rift between Britain and South Africa following the Boer War. According to the Royal Collection Trust (RCT), the Cullinan Diamond was cut into nine numbered stones, 96 small brilliants and nine carats of unpolished fragments:
- The largest two gems, the Great Star of Africa or Cullinan I (530.4 carats) and the cushion-shaped, Cullinan II (317 carats), are set in the Sovereign’s Sceptre and the Imperial State Crown respectively.
- Cullinan III, a pear-shaped drop of 94.4 carats and Cullinan IV, a cushion-shaped stone of 63.3 carats are mounted in a lattice-work setting, and often worn hooked together as a pendant brooch by The Queen, known as The Granny’s Chips.
- Cullinan V Brooch is a heart-shaped stone (18.8 carats) mounted in a fine radiating platinum web with a scrolling millegrain and pave-set border of brilliant diamonds.
- Cullinan VII (8.8-carat) is suspended as an asymmetrical negligee pendant on a detachable chain Delhi Durbar necklace.
- Cullinan VI (11.5 carats) was purchased by King Edward VII from Asschers in 1908 as a gift for Queen Alexandra. It’s generally worn with Cullinan VIII as a radiating pendant mounted on a circle.
- The smallest stone (4.4 carats) was set into a platinum ring for Queen Mary in 1911. The pear shape is known as a pendeloque and is mounted in an openwork 12-claw setting.
Burmese Rubies
The Queen personally commissioned the creation of the Burmese Ruby Tiara using gemstones presented to her as a wedding present. The 96 rubies used in the crown were given by the Burmese people, who believe that the rubies protect from the different illnesses that can affect a body.
Japanese Pearl Choker
The Japanese Government commissioned this four-strand pearl choker for the queen in the early ’80s, and the Queen wore it several times throughout her life. Kate Middleton honoured the Queen at her state funeral on Monday by wearing one of her iconic pieces of jewellery—a four-strand pearl choker that Her Majesty once loaned to Princess Diana.
The Crown Ruby Necklace & Ruby Brooch
This necklace was designed for Queen Victoria by Prince Albert. The brooch surrounds a large coloured gemstone with a row of diamonds is a classic showcase design: a large faceted oval ruby in a diamond surround above a pear-shaped ruby and diamond pendant.
The South Africa Necklace and Bracelet
The South Africa necklace and bracelet were given to the young Elizabeth on her 21st birthday in 1947 by the Government of South Africa. It originally consisted of a long chain of 21 graduated brilliants, the largest of 10 carats, each linked by a baguette-cut diamond and two small brilliant-cut diamonds. It was later adapted and made into a shorter necklace and bracelet.
Coronation Necklace and Earrings
The necklace and diamond drop earrings acquired their name from having been worn by multiple queens in history, since Queen Victoria left the jewellery to the Crown for the purpose of being worn at large events. They have since been worn by Queen Consort Alexandra in 1901, Queen Mary in 1911, and by Queen Elizabeth in 1937 and her coronation in 1953. The simplicity of their design allows the 25 graduated cushion-shaped brilliant-cut diamonds set in silver with gold links, and a central drop-shaped pendant (Lahore Diamond) of 22.48 carats to shine. The earrings consist of four cushion-cut collet-set diamonds, taken from an existing aigrette and Garter Star, and two drop-shaped pendants of 12 and 7 carats.
Brazilian Aquamarine Parure
Albert Brooch
The bauble, a sapphire and diamond cluster set in gold, Albert Brooch remained a favourite of the Queen. It was a wedding present by Prince Albert to his wife, Victoria. It’s a piece that really transcends time: the ultra-classic, simple design with an enormous sapphire looks just as good today as it must have more than a century ago.
Queen Victoria’s Diamond Fringe Brooch
One of the Queen’s favourite pieces, it is made out of nine chains pave-set with brilliant-cut diamonds at the bottom and larger diamonds put together at the top. It was once a part of a much larger corsage ornament, that originally belonged to Queen Victoria, given by the Ottoman Sultan in 1856.
The King Faisal Necklace & The King Khalid Necklace
King Faisal and King Khalid of Saudi Arabia, presented the queen with two diamond necklaces from an American jewellery house, Harry Winston. The King Faisal Necklace features 300 diamonds, including baguettes, brilliants, and eleven pear-shaped diamonds set as pendant stones, studded on platinum, weighing 80 carats. The King Khalid Necklace featured pear-shaped diamonds mounted on platinum in a modern fringe setting.
Dorset Bow Brooch
Made in 1893 by Carrington & Co. as a wedding present to Elizabeth from Queen Mary, the brooch was made out of gold and silver and set with pave-set brilliants and a hinged pendant loop, resembling a ribbon-tied bow.
Queen Adelaide’s Brooch
This brooch is among the oldest and most fascinating brooches in the Royal Collection for nearly two centuries. The Queen wore it to the opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympics. It was originally created for King William IV’s consort, Queen Adelaide. It features a large centre diamond, six around it, and smaller stones to complete the design.
Flower Basket Brooch
This colourful brooch was a gift from the Queen’s parents to welcome their first grandchild, Charles. Years later, the Queen wore it for Prince George’s christening. One of her most sentimental brooches, the sweet basket of gem-studded flowers was close to the Queen’s heart as she donned it for seven decades.
Nizam of Hyderabad Necklace & Tiara
Among her most iconic neckpieces was the one gifted by the Nizam of Hyderabad as a wedding present to the queen in 1947. Asaf Jah VII commissioned Cartier to let the princess pick anything from their existing stock for her present. She chose two pieces: a floral tiara which had a design based on English roses with 3 detachable floral brooches, all made of diamonds and set in platinum; and a coordinating intricate floral platinum necklace with approximately 300 diamonds featuring more geometric diamonds nestled in the abstract floral design.
Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara
This tiara is one of the most recognisable jewels from the Queen’s own collection which she fondly referred to as “Granny’s Tiara.”
Featured image courtesy of Алекса Вулф from Pixabay. No changes were made to this image. Image license can be found here.
Khushboo Malhotra
Khushboo is a Twitter Editor at Empoword Journalism. She is an Award-nominated lifestyle and pop culture journalist, writer, and budding entrepreneur aiming to break down the boundaries of cultural stigma and shame attached to mental health and sexual health and bring marginalised topics to light. Send your stories, tips, and press announcements to khushboomalhotrafreelance@gmail.com