Collection: British Royal Family's Crown Jewels

The distinction between the "Crown Jewels" and the "Royal Collection" is critical. While the Crowns and Scepters stored in the Tower of London are constitutional objects of the State, the personal jewelry box of the Windsor women functions as a private archive of diplomacy, sentiment, and dynastic survival. This vast accumulation of necklaces, brooches, earrings, and rings traces a line from the imperial acquisitions of the 19th century through the sentimental hoarding of the Queen Mother, to the strategic curation of the modern era.

I. The Necklaces: From Imperial Weight to Modern Chokers

The necklaces of the royal collection serve as the primary indicators of rank and occasion.

• The Coronation Necklace: The backbone of the collection. Commissioned by Queen Victoria in 1858 to replace lost Hanoverian jewels, it features twenty-five massive cushion-cut diamonds and the 22.48-carat Lahore Diamond pendant. It has been worn by every Queen Regnant and Consort at their coronation since.
• The Queen Anne and Queen Caroline Pearls: Two separate strands of natural saltwater pearls dating back to the 18th century. Traditionally worn together, they were the wedding pearls of Queen Elizabeth II in 1947, representing the deepest historical roots of the family.
• The Three-Strand Pearl Necklace: The daily uniform of Queen Elizabeth II. A gift from her grandfather George V, this graduated natural pearl necklace was worn constantly for seventy years, symbolizing stability.
• The Delhi Durbar Necklace: A "negligee" style masterpiece featuring two unequal pendants of Cambridge Emeralds and diamonds. A favorite of Queen Mary and the Queen Mother, it represents the wealth of the British Raj.
• The Greville Festoon Necklace: A three-row (occasionally five-row) diamond bib necklace bequeathed to the Queen Mother. It epitomizes the sheer, heavy opulence of the Edwardian era.
• The Nizam of Hyderabad Necklace: The most valuable necklace currently worn by the Princess of Wales. A wedding gift to Elizabeth II from the Indian ruler, it features a tangled pavé-set center and detachable double-drop pendants.
• The Japanese Pearl Choker: A four-row cultured pearl choker with a curved diamond clasp. Commissioned by Elizabeth II, it has become a multigenerational symbol of mourning, worn by Princess Diana and the Princess of Wales to state funerals.
• The Seven-Strand Sapphire Choker: Princess Diana’s signature power piece. Created by converting a sapphire brooch (a gift from the Queen Mother) into a clasp for seven rows of pearls.
• The Eleven-Strand Pearl Choker: A massive column of pearls with diamond and ruby spacers, favored by Diana for its ability to cover the neckline while allowing for low-cut gowns.
• The Swan Lake Suite Necklace: One of Diana’s final commissions; a sleek, scrolling diamond collar suspending five South Sea pearls, representing her independent, post-royal aesthetic.
• The "D" Necklace: A simple gold chain with a letter pendant worn by the teenage Lady Diana, representing the innocence before the royal life.

II. The Brooches: The Language of Diplomacy

Brooches function as the primary method of non-verbal communication for royal women, often signaling diplomatic respect or familial remembrance.

• The Cullinan III & IV ("Granny’s Chips"): The most valuable brooch in the world. Comprising a 94.4-carat pear-shaped diamond and a 63.6-carat square-cut diamond cut from the Great Star of Africa. Queen Mary and Elizabeth II wore this monolith for maximum imperial impact.
• The Cullinan V: A heart-shaped diamond set in a platinum radiating frame, favored for its artistic, lighter design compared to its heavier sisters.
• The Empress Marie Feodorovna Sapphire Brooch: A Russian survivor. A massive cabochon sapphire with a pearl drop, saved from the Romanov collection and worn by Queen Elizabeth II as a link to her Russian ancestry.
• The Richmond Brooch: A large diamond scroll featuring a pearl center and a detachable pearl drop. Queen Elizabeth II famously wore this (without the drop) to Prince Philip’s funeral.
• The Teck Corsage Brooch: A rigid "diamond wheel" inherited from Queen Mary’s mother, often worn on state sashes.
• The Shell Brooch: A diamond scallop shell with a single pearl, a favorite of the Queen Mother, worn by Elizabeth II to honor her mother’s memory.
• The Maple Leaf Brooch: A diamond representation of the Canadian national symbol, worn by Queen Elizabeth II, the Queen Mother, and the Princess of Wales on tours to Canada.
• The New Zealand Fern Brooch: A platinum and diamond fern, serving the same diplomatic purpose for visits to New Zealand.
• The Irish Guards Brooch: A gold shamrock with an emerald center, worn by the Princess of Wales and the Queen Mother for military parades.
• The White Rose of York Brooch: A diamond flower worn by the Queen Mother to reference her pre-royal title.
• The Centenary Rose Brooch: A painted crystal cameo surrounded by 100 diamonds, commissioned to mark the Queen Mother’s 100th birthday.

III. The Earrings: From Buttons to Chandeliers

Earrings in the collection range from simple studs to complex, articulated chandeliers used for gala occasions.

• The Queen Mary Button Earrings: Massive spherical cultured pearls surmounted by a small diamond. These were Queen Elizabeth II’s "authority" earrings, worn under heavy hats.
• The Bahrain Pearl Drop Earrings: Created from a cache of seven natural pearls given to Elizabeth II as a wedding gift. They feature a diamond stud and baguette diamonds suspending the pearl. A favorite loan to the Princess of Wales.
• The Ladies of Devonshire Earrings: A wedding gift to Queen Mary, featuring a diamond shell motif suspending a pearl drop.
• The Greville Chandelier Earrings: Long, articulated Art Deco geometric diamond cascades. A favorite of the Queen Mother and now the Princess of Wales for high-glamour events.
• The Collingwood Pearl Earrings: Classic diamond studs with pearl teardrops, a wedding gift to Princess Diana and a staple of her wardrobe, now worn by the Princess of Wales.
• The South Sea Pearl Earrings: A versatile set owned by Diana, featuring a diamond knot. The Princess of Wales has famously altered these, swapping the pearls or the suspension mechanism.
• The Oak Leaf and Acorn Earrings: The bespoke wedding earrings of the Princess of Wales (Catherine), commissioned by her parents to represent the Middleton family coat of arms.
• The Green Amethyst and Citrine Drops: "Demi-fine" earrings of gold vermeil and semi-precious stones, introduced by the Princess of Wales for a more accessible, modern look.

IV. The Rings: Symbols of Betrothal and Humanity

While Queens often wear gloves, the rings of the family carry immense totemic weight.

• The Sapphire Engagement Ring: The 12-carat oval Ceylon sapphire surrounded by diamonds. Worn by Princess Diana and now the Princess of Wales, it is the visual anchor of the modern monarchy.
• The Welsh Gold Wedding Rings: A tradition starting in 1923, using nuggets from the Clogau St. David’s mine. Queen Elizabeth II’s simple gold band was the only jewelry she never removed.
• The Aquamarine Ring: A massive emerald-cut aquamarine commissioned by Princess Diana post-divorce. It symbolized her freedom and was worn by the Duchess of Sussex for her wedding reception.
• The Queen Mother’s Rings: She often wore a massive emerald-cut diamond pinky ring and replaced her original sapphire engagement ring with a large pearl surrounded by diamonds.

V. The Bracelets and Parures

The wristwear and full suites complete the inventory.

• The Queen Mary Diamond Choker Bracelet: An Art Deco geometric chain-link piece. Originally a choker, converted to a bracelet, and worn by the Princess of Wales.
• The Nigel Milne Pearl Bracelet: A three-strand pearl bracelet with diamond spacers, belonging to Princess Diana and worn by the Princess of Wales.
• The King George VI Sapphire Suite: A Victorian necklace and earring set given to Elizabeth II by her father. She later added a bracelet and tiara to make a full parure.
• The Saudi Sapphire Suite: A massive gift to Princess Diana including a necklace, earrings, bracelet, ring, and watch. Diana famously dismantled the watch and ring to create new items, including a velvet headband.
• The Dazzle of Night Set: A modern diamond geometric suite (necklace and earrings) purchased by the Princess of Wales, representing her own contribution to the collection.