The Court Jeweller

Sparkling Royal Jewels From Around the World

Tournament of Brooches: Australian Wattle vs Cambridge Emerald Cluster

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An Aussie gift faces off against an emerald heirloom in this contest!

DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP via Getty Images, Chris Ison – WPA Pool/Getty Images
The Australian Wattle Brooch vs. The Cambridge Emerald Cluster Brooch
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This eye-catching brooch, set with white and yellow diamonds, is designed to resemble the national flower of Australia, the wattle. Made by an Australian firm, it was given to the Queen during her grand Commonwealth tour in 1954. She’s worn it regularly ever since, both at Aussie/Commonwealth events and more generally.
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This classic brooch comes from the Cambridge emerald suite. The piece features a round cabochon emerald set in a double cluster of diamonds, with one of the emerald drops from the suite suspended as a pendant. The jewel can be worn with or without the pendant, and in recent years, the Queen has often chosen to wear the cluster portion alone.
Stay tuned for a sparkling royal necklace, and then more brooches tomorrow!

Tournament of Brooches: Cullinan III and IV vs Lover’s Knot

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Our first contest of round two begins right now!

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The Cullinan III and IV Brooch vs. Queen Mary’s Lover’s Knot Brooch
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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.
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This imposing diamond bow brooch, which is shaped like a true lover’s knot, was acquired by Queen Mary from Garrard in 1932. She bequeathed it to the Queen in 1953, and since then, HM has worn it for a range of engagements, including formal daytime events and evening receptions and galas. It’s also appeared at two royal weddings!
More brooch voting coming your way this afternoon!