The British Crown Jewels - Famous Jewels & Gems Series - 1Earth Jewelry Jewellery and Appraisals Magazine

The British Crown Jewels
The Crown Jewels are what makes Great Britain great. The British Royal Regalia worn at a Monarch's coronation is steeped in history and the famous diamonds and gems are magnificent. Though intrinsically valued by some at somewhere around Ł20,000,000 the Crown Jewels are really priceless, for much of their true value lies in their symbolism to the Commonwealth and historical importance beyond the British Empire. The 122 3/4 carat brilliant Koh-I-Noor Diamond sits on the Crown of Queen Victoria.	Queen of the Commonwealth Queen Elizabeth II 1953 Coronation wearing the Imperial State Crown, holding the Royal Sceptre in her right hand and in her left The Sovereign's Orb.
The Imperial State Crown is set with 3,000 precious stones including 2,868 diamonds, 273 pearls, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds and 5 rubies * The Cullinan II Diamond * Stuart Sapphire * Black Prince's Ruby * St. Edward's Sapphire	Imperial State Crown
The Cullinan II is at the front of the Imperial Crown; St Edwards's Sapphire sits in the cross on top of the crown; the Stuart Sapphire highlights the reverse and the Black Prince's Ruby (a red spinel) is at front above the Cullinan II Diamond.
The Cullinan II Diamond at 317.40 carat is the fourth largest cut diamond in the world. The Imperial State Crown was originally made for Queen Victoria's coronation in 1838 and was remade for George VI in 1937. Queen Elizabeth II last wore the Imperial State Crown at her coronation in 1953.	Cullinan II Diamond
The Cullinan I Diamond adorns the British Imperial Sceptre. The Cullinan rough diamond was presented to King Edward VII for his 66th birthday and he named it "The Great Star of Africa" and ordered it to be set in the British Imperial Sceptre or Royal Sceptre. The largest of nine diamonds cut from the rough is the Cullinan I. The flawless 530.20 carats and 74 facet diamond can be removed and worn as a pin or pendant. I bet she doesn't let the kid's play with it.	Cullinan I Diamond
This story is provided to the public as an information resource - the ads pay for the bandwidth to provide this help. There have been numerous attempts to steal the Crown Jewels from the the Jewel House in the Tower of London. Irishman Thomas Blood was caught with the Black Prince's Ruby in his pocket as he was putting a hacksaw to the Sceptre and flattening the King's Crown with a mallet in about 1670. When James II came to the throne, he found the Crown of England was so battered and so many gems pilfered from it and replaced by imitation gems that the repair and replacements cost Ł12,000. The Crown Jewels of England were removed from the Abbey Church of Westminster to White Tower in the Tower of London after a robbery attempt in 1303. The five sceptres in the British Crown Jewels. The Royal Sceptre with the Cross is a symbol of kingly power and justice, and is held in the Monarch 's right hand during coronation. At the top of the sceptre is the Orb cut out of a large amethyst, richly encrusted with diamonds and rubies surmounted by a diamond studded cross with an emerald as its centre. The Orb and cross both stand on the second largest cut diamond in the world - the Great Star of Africa. The Queen 's Sceptre with the Cross is held in the Queen 's right hand when the Queen is a consort and not a monarch. about two feet in length and at the top has a fleur-de-lis, diamond-set holding a gold orb with diamond-set firdle and arch surmounted in turn by a diamond-set cross. Queen 's Ivory Rod Queen 's Consort 's left hand, ivory joined together with bands of gold about three and a half feel in length. At the top is a golden orb, richly enameled surmounted by a cross on which rests a dove with closed wings. The King 's Sceptre with the Dove is held in the left hand of the Sovereign and is a symbol of equity and mercy. A white enamel dove with outstretched wings stands on a golden cross, the gold staff of the Scepter is richly enamelled and jewelled, the golden orb is surrounded by a diamond studded girdle. A second Scepter with Dove was made for the Queen at the coronation of William and Mary The five Swords of State in the Crown Regalia. The Swords of State include the Jewelled State Sword sheathed in a scabbard set with gems - at the base is a turquoise set with diamonds, the hilt is richly jewelled and has a stunning fine diamond set at the top. The diamonds, rubies and emeralds depict the Rose of England, the Thistle of Scotland and the Shamrock of Ireland. A Coronation Ring, sometimes known as the Wedding Ring of England is made for each sovereign and becomes his or her private property on the coronation. Those of Queen Victoria and King George V may be seen in the collection of the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London. Both rings consist of a sapphire set around with diamonds and a St. George 's Cross in rubies superimposed.