A new exhibition at Windsor Castle has opened for the Platinum Jubilee and is celebrating The Queen’s Coronation in 1953. The collection includes four prominent brooches that have never been on public display.
- Four diamond brooches belonging to Her Majesty the Queen have gone on display for the first time
- The impressive collection, estimated to be worth over $220,000, act as four emblems of the countries in the United Kingdom
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Queen Elizabeth’s brooches boast an incredible assortment of truly spectacular pieces of historical value – like the Williamson pink diamond brooch – as well as more sentimental favorites, including her mother’s art deco aquamarine brooch.
To commemorate Her Majesty historic 70th year on the throne, a new exhibition will showcase a set of brooches gifted to the Queen for her Diamond Jubilee in 2012.
Four brooches representing the four nations under Her Majesty’s rule, the curator of the display at Windsor, Caroline de Guitaut, said, “It is very special to be able to display the four brooches in the form of emblems of the countries of the United Kingdom for the first time, particularly as they were given to The Queen relatively recently for the Diamond Jubilee in 2012.”
We spoke with Maxwell Stone, diamond expert and creative director at Steven Stone, who gave us some insight into the collection. He explains, "Boasting delicately beautiful craftmanship and fine detail, the Queen's four diamond brooches are truly spectacular pieces.
Made with a combination of yellow and white gold, they feature an array of diamonds - including white, yellow and red. It's always impressive to see red diamonds featured in jewelry as they're the rarest and most expensive diamond in the world.
Gifted to Her Majesty by the Sultan Qaboos Bin Said of Oman for her Diamond Jubilee in 2012 and representing the national emblems of the United Kingdom, the pieces possess enormous sentimental value and the Queen is sure to hold them close to her heart.”
His expert analysis estimates the value of the collection at over $220,000.
Here, we take a look at each of the gems, including their worth and what they represent.
Rose of England
Representative of England, the rose brooch is an intricate piece designed as a pair of wild roses rendered in warm-toned gold.
Maxwell estimates the piece includes “3.5 carats of stones and 15g of gold in total”, valuing the piece to be worth over $53,000.
Thistle of Scotland
The thistle is the national flower of Scotland, used as a symbol of the nation since the thirteenth century. Her Majesty is known to favor Scotland, with her Balmoral estate there.
Maxwell explains, “Incorporating white and yellow gold, the Queen’s Thistle of Scotland brooch is certainly eye-catching. The intricate brooch features a combination of diamond baguettes and round diamonds.”
He estimates the piece to be worth around $50,000.
Shamrock of Ireland
Featuring a small bouquet of diamond shamrocks, secured by an emerald ribbon, this tribute to Northern Ireland was gifted to the Queen in 2012 and has been worn by Her Majesty many times in a short period, including at Royal Ascot in 2015 and during her state visit to Germany the following week.
Maxwell’s expert input explains, “The Queen’s Shamrock of Ireland brooch features three diamond shamrocks, with each leaf containing one round diamond, set in white gold. The shamrocks are secured by an emerald ribbon and the level of detail of the squared baguettes along the stem is exquisite.”
He estimates it to be worth approximately $23,000.
Welsh Daffodil Brooch
This piece consists of a spray of three yellow daffodils – the national flower of Wales - set in yellow gold.
This gem is the most valuable out of the collection, worth an estimated $95,000.
Maxwell describes the stone as “truly spectacular. The three daffodils are made up of yellow fancy diamonds, set in yellow gold, whilst the stem is encrusted in white diamonds.
Each of the daffodils six leaves features a pear shaped diamond, which is an eye-catching and extremely delicate diamond shape.”
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