Windsor Jewels Part 5

[Mary R.]

 Here's a closeup! I'll try and find a complete image.


And the necklace:


Mary R.

[grandduchessella]

The aquamarines and the emerald necklace were the only ones I could find w/o watermark:



I'll keep looking for the Vladimir. Or do you just want any version w/o a watermark? I have good shots of the tiara with emeralds and with pearls. Also the 3 emerald brooches.

[emeraldeyes1969]

Thanks to you both, Mary R and GDella.

I'm really only looking for non-watermarked versions of the pics I posted - although one never tires of looking at this parure (deep sigh)...

[Eric_Lowe]

Love the arquramarines.

[Martyn]

I don't quite know how I managed it, but I found the appalling notes that I made at the time of the visit.

In one case was displayed the emerald parure, consisting of the Vladimir tiara, set with the emeralds, the Ladies of India necklace, the stud earrings, ensuite bracelet, the ancient engraved emerald brooch (which had also been presented to May with the necklace in Delhi in Dec 1911), the two brooches made from the Cambridge emeralds and the Cullinan chips and finally the Art Deco choker, remade in 1927 and a jewel very much associated with the late Princess of Wales.  The choker was lovely, perhaps my favourite piece form this parure.

The Bazilian aquamarine parure, presented to the Queen in 1953 by the President and people of Brazil, was displayed in another case - tiara, necklace, earrings, brooch, clips and bracelets.  Much as I love aquamarines, this tiara is not one of my favourites, as I have said elsewhere.  To me it looks top-heavy and dominated by that huge (but very lovely) central aquamarine.  Apparently, it took a year to acquire stones of this quality and size to complete this parure; it must have indeed been a splendid gift.

In another case was displayed an assortment of individual pieces of jewellery, as opposed to a complete parure, which I will describe later when I have more time.

Thanks emeraldeyes for the welcome and trust me, the vist to BP to see these jewels was not for the faint-hearted!!!!

[Mary R.]

Thank you so much for your notes... and they were not appalling! I am looking forward to the other descriptions!

Mary R.

[Eric_Lowe]

Actually I think it was quite good...

[Martyn]

These are some of the other items that were on display:

The diamond necklace given to the Queen on her 21st birthday, 21st April  1947 by the Government of South Africa, comprising fifteen large diamonds, the largest of which is 10 carats!  This really is a lovely simple necklace and the diamonds are big!

The diamond bracelet to match, which was made by shortening the original necklace in 1952, and which has as its centrepiece a superb 6 carat round-cut blue-white diamond, which QEII had also been given when touring the 'Big Hole', the first and greatest of the Kimberley diamond mines, during the 1947 tour.

The Queen has always referred to this set as 'my best diamonds' and one can well understand why.  The quality of the diamonds is amazing and the setting is relatively simple; the large brilliants are connected by links of two small brilliants mounted either side of a baguette diamond.  Apparently when the Queen was presented with the necklace in 1947 (when it symbolically comprised 21 large diamonds) by Field Marshall Smuts, she gasped with delight.  Who wouldn't??!!

[emeraldeyes1969]

The 'My best diamonds' are truly elegant and the necklace and bracelet are two of my favourites in HM's collection.  Can anyone recall the last time she wore these in public?  I can't seem to remember any recent appearances.   

[Martyn]

The Queen wearing the aquamarine parure in May in Canada.........

[Eddie_uk]

While I have never been a fan of the Aquamarine tiara, I must say I thought it was very impressive when I saw it in the exhibition at BP!

[Martyn]

While I have never been a fan of the Aquamarine tiara, I must say I thought it was very impressive when I saw it in the exhibition at BP!

I think that is an excellent way to describe it.  The central stone of the tiara is almost monumental.  I can't really appreciate the style of the piece though; its elements don't seem to flow - for me at least.

I did like the necklace and the earrings though, very much, and the colour of the aquamarines is simply stunning.

[emeraldeyes1969]

The Queen wearing the aquamarine parure in May in Canada.........

Are you sure this is in Canada?  HM usually wears the insignia of the Order of Canada when she is here.   

She wore the aquamarines without the tiara in Washington...

[emeraldeyes1969]

While I have never been a fan of the Aquamarine tiara, I must say I thought it was very impressive when I saw it in the exhibition at BP!

Yes, eddieboy, I think that is the right word to describe the tiara.  Personally, my favourite piece in the aquamarine suite would have to be the bracelet. 

[Martyn]

The Queen wearing the aquamarine parure in May in Canada.........

Are you sure this is in Canada?  HM usually wears the insignia of the Order of Canada when she is here.   

She wore the aquamarines without the tiara in Washington...

You might be right.  I think that this photo was attached to an article about the trip and not necessarily representative of it.