As we get ever closer to the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, people around the world are busy planning ways to mark the occasion. As a genuine gemstone company, we at Gemporia want to do the same, and we’re doing it in the best way we know how: with gemstones!
It’s no secret that the esteemed members of the Royal Family - particularly Her Majesty The Queen - have some of the most vast jewelry collections in the world, featuring a wide range of precious and semi-precious gemstones.
Many gemstones are favored by the Queen and, for most people, various popular Royal stones spring to mind: Diamonds, Sapphires and Pearls to name a few. However, Queen Elizabeth II also has other gemstones on her list of personal favorites, and the knowledge of these may not be as common.
The Queen’s jewelry collection contains many gemstone pieces that have sentimental value for a number of reasons. With this in mind, we’d like to honour Her Majesty’s 70th year on the throne with a range of gemstones that you may or may not know to be part of her prized collection.
WELL-KNOWN FAVORITES
Ruby
Rubies are eye-catching, vibrant and nothing short of exquisite - so it’s easy to see why Her Majesty favours them so. The striking red hue of a Ruby is a real head-turner, and several of them take pride of place in the Sovereign’s Orb as part of the Crown Jewels.
Throughout her awe-inspiring reign, the Queen has been gifted a large amount of Ruby gemstone pieces, with some coming from her most treasured family members. A particularly honourable mention includes the Crown Ruby Necklace and Brooch set; originally designed by Prince Albert for Queen Victoria in 1854, the set was handed down to Her Majesty after the Queen Mother's death in 2002.
The Royal Family’s love for Rubies goes back generations, and continues to be passed down to other members such as Princess Margaret, the Duchess of Cambridge and the late Princess Diana. As a result, it’s imperative that the Ruby sits at the top of our Queen’s Favorite Gemstone list.
SHOP RUBY JEWELRY
Sapphire
We couldn’t possibly create a Royal gemstone list without mentioning the Sapphire. The family’s fondness of the semi-precious stone is known around the world, particularly due to the iconic engagement ring that was first seen on the Princess of Wales, and now proudly worn by the Duchess of Cambridge.
Another famous Sapphire staple in the Royal Family’s vault is the Dubai Looped Sapphire Demi-Parure. Gifted to Her Majesty by Sheikh Rashid of Dubai in 1979, the set features a pair of earrings, a ring, and a magnificent necklace of Diamond loops surrounding large oval Sapphires. It’s a true work of art, and the Queen reportedly ‘exclaimed in amazement’ when she saw it.
Due to its unique beauty, it’s clear why the Queen has chosen to wear the Dubai Sapphire necklace for multiple engagements. It appeared for the ‘All the Queen’s Horses’ event during the 2002 Royal Windsor Horse Show, and she also wore the entire set to a dinner with former Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin, to mark the Centennial Year of Alberta and Saskatchewan in 2005.
Although Sapphires come in many colours and hues, there’s none quite like the popular Blue Sapphire that everyone wants in their jewelry box. Her Majesty loves them, and so do we.
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Diamond
Out of all the gemstones that Queen Elizabeth II loves to wear, few others make the ‘cut’ more often than the Diamond.
The late Duke of Edinburgh gave Her Majesty Diamonds from his mother’s tiara for her engagement ring, so it’s no surprise that the world’s most precious stone is so favored by her.
As well as this, Diamonds also appeared in the necklace worn by the Queen at her coronation in 1953. It consists of 26 sparklers, the last being the famous 22.48 carat Lahore Diamond, and has been worn at the coronation of every Queen since Queen Alexandra in 1902.
Cullinan Diamonds, also known as the ‘Stars of Africa’, appear front and centre in the Crown Jewels. However, due to being versatile and timeless, the Diamond really is a crown jewel in its own right.
SHOP DIAMOND JEWELRY
LESSER-KNOWN STONES
Aquamarine
Aquamarine is a gemstone that is absolutely adored by Queen Elizabeth II, and jewelry pieces containing this ocean-born stone have been in her jewelry box since her early years.
The monarch wore a pair of Aquamarine brooches for the State opening of Parliament in May 2021, which were gifted to her on her 18th birthday by King George VI and the Queen Mother in 1944.
However, the most notable Aquamarine jewelry pieces owned by the Queen are part of her Brazilian Aquamarine Parure, a set made up of a necklace, a pair of earrings and an exquisite tiara - but it didn’t start off this way.
This parure is truly an evolving collection of jewels. It first began with the Aquamarine and Diamond necklace and earrings, presented to Her Majesty as a coronation present by the Brazilian president in 1953. The necklace contains nine large oblong-shaped Aquamarine stones with a larger Aquamarine pendant, and the earrings were designed to mimic the setting of the pendant.
Fast forward to 1957, and the Queen commissioned Garrard to make a tiara to match the set. It features an elaborate Aquamarine and Diamond base, and is now one of the tallest and most prominent tiaras in her collection.
Despite its large size, Her Majesty has worn the Brazilian Aquamarine Tiara on multiple occasions, more recently at the Spanish state banquet at Buckingham Palace in July 2017. It’s truly one of her most treasured gemstone pieces.
SHOP AQUAMARINE JEWELRY
Garnet
Although rarely seen during royal engagements, the Garnet plays quite an important role in the Royal Family. This is mainly because, among other stones, the Garnet is present in the magnificent St Edward’s Crown.
The crown was last seen - and last worn - at Her Majesty’s coronation in 1953, and is embellished with over 440 precious and semi-precious stones. These include Amethysts, Tourmalines, Sapphires, Peridots, Aquamarines, Topazes and, of course, Garnets.
The St Edward’s Crown weighs 5lbs and is heavier than the Imperial State Crown. According to the Queen, the crown ‘weighs a tonne’ - as a result, she regularly opts for smaller crowns and tiaras.
The Garnet has been considered the ultimate gift of love for generations, and is also featured in one of the first-ever gifts presented to the Duchess of Cambridge by Prince William during their days at St. Andrews. So, it is clear as to why the stone is a constant Royal favorite.
SHOP GARNET JEWELRY
Spinel
Spinels are not generally thought of as being Royal favorites, but the stone does in fact play a large part in the Royal gemstone vault.
The Imperial State Crown contains arguably the world’s most famous Spinel: the Black Prince’s Ruby. It’s one of the oldest parts of the Crown Jewels, and is a large, irregular Cabochon Red Spinel that weighs in at a whopping 170 carats.
Although a Spinel, this gemstone was first thought to be a Ruby. Until 1783, all red gemstones were referred to as Rubies, and the discovery of the Imperial State Crown’s frontal jewel being a Spinel occurred years after it was set.
What also makes this stunning Spinel special is its rarity, as it’s the largest uncut Spinel in the world. It has only ever been slightly polished, and yet continues to stand at the forefront of 3,000 other stones in the world’s most famous crown.
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Her Majesty The Queen is about to celebrate a never-before-seen milestone, and we want to honour one of her greatest achievements with some of her favorite gemstones. Each of these stones are filled with sentiment, and all hold a special place in the Queen’s heart. So, if they’re fit for royalty, they are sure to fit in your jewelry box too.
SHOP HER MAJESTY'S FAVORITES
