Whether they are gestures of love or the spoils of war, ancient symbols or just the world's most daring jewellery, royal jewels are a treasure trove of history and also one of the world's most priceless and beautiful collections. Cursed, loved, broken or recycled, each of them has its own story. And these are 15 Queen Elizabeth II diamonds you have to see to believe they exist.
15 diamonds of Queen Elizabeth II., which will take you down:
Crown of the Imperial State
This famous crown was made in 1937 for the coronation of George VI, but was reduced in height for the coronation of his daughter, Queen Elizabeth II. It contains 2868 diamonds, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds and 269 pearls. The most impressive is the 317.4-carat Cullinan II diamond, which can be seen in the middle of the crown band.
Scepter and apple
The ruler's apple is studded with emeralds, sapphires, rubies, pearls, 365 diamonds and a huge amethyst, and topped with a cross. It was created to represent Christ's rule over the world and has been used for coronations since 1661.
The symbol of the monarch as leader is also the scepter, which was also made in 1661. This boasts the largest diamond in the world. The 3,106-carat Cullinan diamond was discovered in 1905, and for a fist-sized stone, it is the largest ever found. After being presented to King Edward VI, it broke into several pieces. The largest, the 530.2-carat Cullinan I, also known as the Star of Africa, was placed on top of the scepter, while other parts of the Cullinan are used in various brooches.
Engagement ring
It's not the biggest, oldest or most expensive in the Queen's collection, but it's undoubtedly the one closest to her heart. It is made of a 3-carat diamond and is adorned with smaller stones on each side, which were taken from a tiara that once belonged to Prince Philip's mother.
Koh-i-Noor Diamond
No one really knows how old this incredible 106-carat diamond is, but it is first dated in ancient Hindu texts to the year 1300. After traveling through India, Persia and Afghanistan, the gem was presented to Queen Victoria. She wore it in a brooch, and then Queen Mary, Queen Alexandra and Queen Elizabeth (the Queen Mother) wore it in the crowns of the royal consorts. Today, it is housed with the other crown jewels in the Tower of London.
Wedding bracelet
After Prince Philip requested that the engagement ring be decorated with stones from his mother's tiara, he also ordered a bracelet as a wedding gift for the bride, among other things. The Queen has worn it many times, and like many other items from her personal collection, this bracelet also ended up on the hand of Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge.
Coronation earrings
12-carat and 7-carat stones from Queen Victoria's Indian bracelet were used for the coronation earrings. The Queen most often wears earrings with a matching necklace for various formal occasions.
Coronation necklace
The necklace was made from precious stones of unused items such as swords. It consists of 25 diamonds and a breathtaking centerpiece – the 22.48-carat Lahore diamond. The necklace was commissioned from Garrard by Queen Victoria in 1885, and has been worn at every coronation since then. The Queen also wears it at official events, such as her Diamond Jubilee.
Diadem of George IV.
As can be seen from the stamps, coins and notes, the crown was made in 1820 and was worn by George IV. on his way to his coronation. Diamond-encrusted roses, hollyhocks and shamrocks represent England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The tiara itself has 1,333 diamonds, pearls and a pale yellow diamond hidden in the center of the front cross. The Queen first tied it on her head for the annual Opening of Parliament ceremony the same year she succeeded to the throne, then for her coronation, and several times thereafter.
Tiara of Queen Mary I of England
The tiara is encrusted with diamonds and was made by royal jewelers Garrard. The Russian style of tiara was very popular with the royal family in the first half of the 20th century.
Queen Victoria's golden jubilee necklace
This stunning piece of jewelery was presented to Queen Victoria by The Women's Jubilee Offering. The central diamond and pearl and 6 shamrocks on each side can also be used separately as brooches. It is one of the Queen's most popular pieces and is often paired with the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara.
Delhi Durbar Necklace
The Delhi Durbar was an Indian commemorative ceremony celebrating the accession of King George V, and his consorts wanted to give something special to mark the occasion. The necklace consists of eight emeralds and six large diamonds. They are connected by a double platinum chain with 94 diamonds, and as an accessory there is also an emerald pendant and a Cullinan VII diamond pendant.
Lover's Knot Tiara
The tiara was commissioned from Garrard by Queen Mary in 1913, and the sophisticated piece consists of diamonds and 19 pearls. Queen Elizabeth II. she wore it to the premiere of The Conquest of Everest in 1953, and it was given to Princess Diana as a wedding present. This year, the Duchess of Cambridge also tied it on her head.
Tiara Girls of Great Britain and Ireland
The Girls of Great Britain and Ireland was a committee of women who raised money for a tiara, which was then given to Queen Mary as a wedding present. The large diamonds that can be seen at the top were originally pearls, but Queen Mary later decided to use them in the Lover's Knot tiara instead. The Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara was given to the Queen as a wedding present and seems to be her favorite of all tiaras.
Greville dangling earrings
Dame Margaret Greville left her entire collection of famous jewels to her friend the Queen Mother. When Cartier created earrings in 1929, he combined really different cut diamonds. Among other things, these earrings were also a royal wedding gift to Elizabeth II.
Festoon necklace
For everyday life, the queen prefers pearls, but for special occasions, such as the opening of parliament or official visits, she opts for this diamond necklace, which was a gift from her father to the 24-year-old princess. The 105 diamonds were taken from a collection of precious stones that were once used to extend existing necklaces in the royal collection.
