The Court Jeweller

Diamonds and Rubies for the Queen in London

11.21.2018 by The Court Jeweller // Leave a Comment

Adrian Dennis – WPA Pool/Getty Images

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh celebrated their 71st wedding anniversary on Tuesday, but the monarch didn’t get the day off. Instead, she was out and about in diamonds and rubies in London.

Adrian Dennis – WPA Pool/Getty Images

The Queen stepped out for a visit to the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors in central London. The institute is celebrating its 150th anniversary.

Adrian Dennis – WPA Pool/Getty Images

For the visit, the Queen chose a brooch that’s been in her collection since at least the 1960s: her ruby and diamond spray brooch.

Adrian Dennis – WPA Pool/Getty Images

Here’s a closer look at the diamond, gold, and ruby brooch, which is definitely mid-century in its design. I don’t believe we have any provenance information for this piece, but the Duke of Edinburgh was certainly known to buy his wife unusual modern jewelry, especially in the first two decades of their marriage. Perhaps, as it was worn on their wedding anniversary, the brooch might have been a present from her husband?

The Portuguese Tiarapedia Is Here!

11.21.2018 by The Court Jeweller // Leave a Comment

The King Luis Diamond Tiara (Wikimedia Commons)

Our project to update and expand the Tiarapedia, the original online encyclopedia of royal tiaras, continues this week with a look at a collection of sparklers owned by the Portuguese pretenders.

The Braganza Diamond Bandeau (FRED DUFOUR/AFP/Getty Images)

The Tiarapedia originally launched in 2008 as a project to compile and share provenance information about royal tiaras from around the world. This year, I’m relaunching a new, expanded version. This week’s new section focuses on a trio of fascinating tiaras owned by the Duke and Duchess of Braganza, who would be King and Queen of Portugal — if the monarchy hadn’t been abolished more than a century ago!

The Braganza Floral Necklace Tiara (Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images)

I’m adding a new section to the Tiarapedia every week this autumn, so be sure to stop in next week to see what tiaras are sparkling next! In the meantime, please enjoy this little window into the gorgeous tiaras still owned by the former royal family of Portugal!

Which tiara from the Braganza collection would you most like to try on?

State Banquet Jewels in Belgium

11.20.2018 by The Court Jeweller // Leave a Comment

EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images

President Emmanuel Macron of France and his wife, Brigitte, are currently in Belgium for a two-day state visit. Here’s a look at the sparkling jewels they wore for their first day of engagements, including the glittering state banquet!

THIERRY ROGE/AFP/Getty Images

On Monday morning, the state visit began with an official welcome ceremony at the Royal Palace in Brussels.