Queen Elizabeth’s life in jewellery: The most significant jewellery pieces throughout her reign

By Joshua Hendren

As tributes pour in from around the globe to pay respect to the remarkable life of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who died peacefully at Balmoral yesterday afternoon at age 96, we take a look at the magnificent crowns, tiaras, necklaces and brooches acquired by the late monarch throughout her historic 70-year reign. From royal heirlooms to state gifts, here are the Queen’s most significant jewellery moments.

Queen Elizabeth’s Engagement Ring

Pictured here the day after her engagement to Prince Phillip was announced, Princess Elizabeth reveals her sparkly new engagement ring. One of the most personal pieces in her collection, the ring was made by Bond Street jeweller Philip Antrobus using diamonds from a tiara owned by Philip’s mother, Princess Alice of Battenberg.

The Imperial State Crown

Made for the coronation of King George VI in 1937 by Garrard, the Imperial State Crown was used by the Queen for her coronation in 1953. Within its gold frame, the crown is set with a staggering 2,868 diamonds as well as 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds and 269 pearls.

Queen Alexandra’s Kokoshnik Tiara

On a Commonwealth visit to Pakistan in 1961, Her Majesty wore Queen Alexandra’s Kokoshnik tiara. Created in the 19th Century, the tiara was a firm favourite of Alexandra and her daughter-in-law Queen Mary.

Grand Duchess Vladimir Tiara

Resplendent in green, the Queen glistened in the Grand Duchess Vladimir Tiara, otherwise known as the Russian Tiara or simply the Vladimir Tiara, at a state banquet in the United States in 1976.

Japanese Pearl Choker

When the Queen made her first state visit to Japan in 1975, she received ‘a set of the finest cultured pearls presented to her by the Japanese government.’ A few years later, the pearls were set into this four-row choker with a sculptural diamond-set clasp by Garrard, worn here on November 16, 1983.

Diamond and Sapphire Tiara and Necklace

The Queen received this suite of diamond and sapphire jewels from her father, King George VI, as a wedding present in 1947. The set originally included just a necklace and a pair of earrings but over the years the set has been added to and elements of it tweaked.

Boucheron Clip Brooches

This timeless pair of diamond and aquamarine clip brooches by Boucheron were Princess Elizabeth’s 18th birthday gift from her parents in April 1944. Here, she wears them against a matching pastel blue as she visits the Eden Foundation Centre as part her final engagement of her state visit to Malta in 2005.

Lover’s Knot Brooch

This bow-shaped diamond brooch was part of Queen Mary’s collection and is known as the Lover’s Knot. It was famously worn by the Queen to the wedding of her grandson Prince William and Kate Middleton in 2011.

Carrington Diamond and Sapphire Brooch

This delicate diamond and sapphire feather brooch was one of the wedding gifts received by the Queen in 1947, given to her by its designer the London jeweller Carrington. The sapphire at its centre glistens in a distinct blue-violet hue.

Thistle Brooch

Sparkling at a military parade in Edinburgh, the Queen opted for this sculpted thistle brooch made of diamonds, gold, emeralds, and a carved amethyst. 

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