The Court Jeweller

Sparkling Royal Jewels From Around the World

Tournament of Brooches: Albert vs Crown Ruby

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This one’s a battle of Prince Albert’s colorful clusters…

Chris Jackson/Getty Images, Sean Gallup/Getty Images
Prince Albert’s Brooch vs. The Crown Ruby Brooch
Chris Jackson/Getty Images
In 1840, Prince Albert presented Queen Victoria with this gorgeous sapphire and diamond cluster brooch on the night before her wedding. She pinned it to her wedding gown the next day, and it’s been with the main line of the royal family ever since. The Queen received this brooch with the rest of the crown heirloom collection in 1952 when she ascended to the throne, and she wears it regularly.
BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images
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.
More brooch voting coming your way tomorrow — and tiaras and necklaces in the meantime!