February 7-13, 2014

From the oldest crown in the world to a glittering surprise in Britain, here are the top ten news stories about royal jewels this week!

10. If you’re in the New York area, get ready: the oldest crown in the world will be on display in your city starting today. It’s from Israel, is six thousand years old, is made of iron, and includes vultures in its design — not sure at all why that royal jewel trend didn’t last.

9. They may not be vultures, but the Duchess of Cornwall wore a pair of turquoise, diamond, and gold bird brooches to visit a radio station on Tuesday.

8. After spending her accession day at Sandringham (an annual tradition), Queen Elizabeth II returned to London. For the train journey from King’s Lynn, she paired her usual pearls with the Grima Ruby Brooch.

7. After several days spent cheering on the Dutch speed skaters in Sochi, Queen Maxima wore sentimental jewelry at the Centre for Healthy Weight in Rotterdam, including two bracelets that incorporate the names and initials of her husband and her three daughters.

6. At an engagement in Amsterdam on Thursday, Maxima chose slightly more theatrical jewels: a pair of large, dangling blue earrings.

5. Following their series on the auctioned jewelry from the collection of the late Grand Duchess Josephine-Charlotte of Luxembourg, the bloggers at Luxarazzi highlight one of the pieces that was kept by the family: Queen Astrid’s diamond and emerald choker.

4. The Countess of Wessex wore a delicate pendant necklace and drop earrings for a visit to Dorchester Abbey on Thursday.

3. Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway honored sustainable fashion designers this week in Oslo; she chose an appropriately fashionable cocktail ring for the event.

2. Queen Silvia of Sweden chose a pearl necklace and bracelet for the annual SemperOpernball at the Opera House in Dresden on Friday. The necklace incorporates a dusky orange stone in its clasp, possibly a topaz — there’s speculation that the set is new.

1. And finally, the top spot this week is reserved for a big jewel surprise: the Duchess of Cambridge borrowing the Queen’s Nizam of Hyderabad necklace for a gala at the National Portrait Gallery. Way to break out the serious bling, Kate!

NOTES, PHOTO CREDITS, AND LINKS