Will it be the dazzling diamond or the spectacular sapphire?

The Cullinan V Brooch vs. The Russian Sapphire Cluster Brooch

The Cullinan V Brooch

This magnificent diamond brooch features a distinctive heart-shaped diamond. That 18.8-carat stone, the Cullinan V, was one of the major diamonds that resulted from the cutting of the massive Cullinan Diamond. The stone is usually worn in this brooch setting, but was originally designed to be used in other jewels as well, including the Delhi Durbar stomacher and Queen Mary’s Honeysuckle Tiara. Queen Mary wore it in her coronet for her son’s coronation in 1937, but today, it remains in its brooch setting, worn frequently by the Queen.

The Russian Sapphire Cluster Brooch

This exquisite diamond, gold, and sapphire cluster brooch originally belonged to Empress Marie Feodorovna of Russia, sister of Queen Alexandra. In 1934, Alexandra’s daughter-in-law, Queen Mary, reportedly bought the brooch from Marie Feodorovna’s daughters. The brooch was a great favorite of the Queen Mother, and in more recent years, the Queen has begun wearing it as well.

Stay tuned: the final vote is coming later this week!

This one’s a battle of the bejeweled heavyweights…

The Cullinan III and IV Brooch vs. The Crown Ruby Brooch

The Cullinan III and IV Brooch

The Queen inherited this spectacular diamond brooch from her grandmother, Queen Mary, in 1953. The diamonds were part of the grand Cullinan stone given to King Edward VII in 1907, and the brooch was constructed by Carrington in 1911. Because the original stone was cut by a Dutch jeweler, the Queen often chooses this for occasions related to the Netherlands, including the Dutch state banquet in 2018. She also wears it for the grandest of her daytime outings, like the 2012 service of thanksgiving to celebrate her Diamond Jubilee.

The Crown Ruby Brooch

This classic brooch, part of a larger suite of ruby and diamond jewels, was purchased by Queen Victoria from Garrard in 1854. The piece was originally set with opals, which were later replaced with these bright red rubies. The brooch was designated as an heirloom of the crown by Queen Victoria. It was a beloved piece of the Queen Mother, who continued to use it until her death. The present Queen made her public debut in the brooch at Royal Ascot in 2015.

Our second Final Four match tips off tomorrow morning!

The results for our Elegant Eight round of the Tournament of Brooches are in!

The Cullinan III and IV Brooch vs. The Queen Mother’s Aquamarine Art Deco Brooch

Granny’s Chips continues to crush its competition! The Cullinan III and IV Brooch won this round handily with 72.74% of the vote, while the Queen Mother’s Aquamarine Art Deco Brooch was chosen by 27.26% of voters.

Prince Albert’s Brooch vs. The Crown Ruby Brooch

This contest was neck and neck until the very end! Ultimately, while Prince Albert’s Brooch pulled in an impressive 48.4% of the vote, the Crown Ruby Brooch triumphed with 51.6%. (The difference was only 131 votes out of more than four thousand cast!)

The Williamson Pink Diamond Brooch vs. The Cullinan V Brooch

The Cullinans went undefeated in this round! The Williamson Pink Diamond Brooch, one of our one seeds, brought in 45.85% of the vote, but the Cullinan V Brooch was triumphant in this close contest, with 54.15% of your votes!

The Kent Amethyst Brooch vs. The Russian Sapphire Cluster Brooch

This was the biggest nail-biter of the entire round! Though the Kent Amethyst Brooch earned 49.43% of your votes, 50.57% of you chose the Russian Sapphire Cluster Brooch as the winner. (The difference in this contest was only 49 votes, out of more than four thousand cast!)

The voting for our Fabulous Final Four begins tomorrow!