Queen Elizabeth II
It’s no wonder that Queen Elizabeth II has inherited some of the world’s most precious and extraordinary pieces of designer diamond jewels, as she is the longest-reigning Queen in British royal history (nearly 1,200 years). Some of these items were custom-made for the Queen, while others were passed down through a long line of British monarchs or given as gifts. Let’s have a look into Her Royal Highness exquisite jewellery box:
• The Imperial State Crown
The Imperial State Crown, the Queen, wore upon her coronation, was produced for King George VI’s coronation in 1937. The crown is set with 2868 diamonds in silver mounts, mostly table, rose, brilliant-cut diamonds, and colourful stones in gold mountings, including 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds, and 269 pearls. The Cullinan II (Second Star of Africa) is a 317.4-carat cushion cut diamond set in the front and centers this magnificent crown.
• Cullinan I (Star of Africa)
The 530.2 carat Cullinan I (or Star of Africa), the world’s largest cut diamond, is the center stone in the majestic Sceptre along with the Cross.
• The Grand Duchess Of Vladimir Tiara
The Grand Duchess Of Vladimir Tiara is a diamond and pearl looped tiara that is one of the Queen’s favorites. Queen Mary purchased the tiara in 1921 from the Grand Duchess Vladimir’s daughter. It was subsequently passed down to Queen Elizabeth, Mary’s granddaughter.
• Cullinan Brooch
The beautiful 157 carats Cullinan Brooch is created by suspending the pear-shaped Cullinan III from the square-cut Cullinan IV.
• Cullinan V
One of Queen Elizabeth’s favourite brooches is the Cullinan V. It’s a rare 18.9-carat heart-shaped diamond set in a beautiful platinum setting.
• Pendant Brooch
Two Cullinan diamonds, the emerald cut Cullinan VI, and the beautiful marquise cut Cullinan VIII, are set in the dainty Pendant Brooch.
Margaret Thatcher
Margaret Thatcher was the first female Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and the longest-serving Prime Minister of the twentieth century. She passed away on April 8, 2013, at the age of 87.
Thatcher was known for her sophisticated fashion sense, always well accentuated by jewelry. Jewellery accents were found in her coiffed hair or perfectly shaped pearls around her neck. According to those the closest to her, she developed an ultimate passion for bespoke evening gowns and other “beautiful things” because her mother was known to be an excellent seamstress.
Thatcher’s sapphire, diamond, and the cultured-pearl necklace was sold for £19,500, and her diamond gilded pen went for £21,000.
In 2015, a series of auctions were staged, with about 200 of the late Baroness’s personal belongings going under the hammer, raising over £4.5 million.
A magnificent multi-gem and diamond brooch, which sold for £50,000 despite an estimate of £10,000-15,000, was one of the most costly objects on display.
Lady Thatcher’s portrait, which she wore with a black skirt suit and a George III diamond flower brooch, sold for £40,000, far more than the initial £700 estimate.
The 18k gold and amethyst ring Margaret Thatcher wore on the day she became Prime Minister and later became part of her “uniform jewellery” was among the other well-known pieces sold. The ring fetched over £30,000 at auction.
In one of the many fierce bidding wars, the hard stone ‘pebble’ bracelet she wore when she visited Nelson Mandela in 1990, which had an estimated £2,500, was sold for £40,000.
Jacinda Ardern
Jacinda Ardern is the world’s youngest female head of state and the current Prime Minister of New Zealand. Jacinda revealed that she proposed to her longtime partner, Clarke Gayford, at the top of Mokotahi Hill in Mahia in Easter 2019. Gayford’s grandmother gave her the diamond engagement ring, which is a stunning treasure.
Although the ring’s exact specifications are unknown, it appears to be a two-diamond ring set in platinum or white gold. The ring has a lovely old-world vibe about it, as well as a subtle grace. The ring was first shown on Jacinda’s middle finger, as it did not fit on her ring finger.
