| Subject to a turbulent history and much thievery, the | | | | graceful crown is set with diamonds, dominated by the |
| British Crown Jewels represent the regalia and | | | | famous Koh-i-noor diamond. Once the largest known |
| vestments worn by the king or queen of the United | | | | diamond in the world, the Koh-i-noor is also referred to |
| Kingdom during a coronation ceremony and other | | | | as the "Mountain of Light." Originating in India, the |
| state functions. In all, the collection includes crowns, | | | | diamond belonged to various Indian and Persian rulers |
| orbs, swords, scepters, and other regalia. Gold and | | | | and has its share of legends. Tradition says that its |
| silver plate was refashioned in 1661 after parliament | | | | male owners will suffer misfortune and death, but |
| had ordered the original gold and precious metals to be | | | | women who possess it will rule the world. |
| melted down for coinage in 1649. | | | | The Orb and Sceptres |
| By British Law, the originals of the crown jewels and | | | | Two scepters used by a sovereign for a part of the |
| implements of the State cannot leave England and are | | | | regalia. The Sceptre with Cross was made in 1661. |
| displayed in the Tower of London. Many of the | | | | Surmounted by a cross, it was redesigned in 1905 to |
| objects descend directly from the pre-Reformation | | | | incorporate the Great Star of Africa, the second |
| period and hold religious and sacral connotation. For | | | | largest cut diamond in the world after The Golden |
| instance, the vestures worn by sovereign following the | | | | Jubilee. The monarch bears the Sceptre with the |
| unction, a ceremonial ritual, resembles the alb and | | | | Cross in the right hand. Borne in the left hand, the |
| dalmatic worn by bishops. | | | | Sceptre with the Dove was also made in 1661. The |
| Crowns | | | | dove atop the sceptre symbolizes the Holy Ghost. As |
| Some of the crowns contained within the Crown | | | | the sovereign holds both Sceptres, he or she is |
| Jewel collection are used by every sovereign, while | | | | crowned with St. Edward's Crown. |
| others were created specifically for a particular | | | | The Sovereign's Orb is a hollow golden sphere made |
| sovereign or for the Queen's Consort, or wife of a | | | | in 1661. A band of jewels runs across the center with |
| king. Typically the crown of a king has a slightly pointed | | | | a half-band of jewels running long the top. Atop the |
| arched top, while that of a queen has a slightly bowed | | | | orb is a jeweled cross representing the sovereign's |
| top. | | | | role as Defender of the Faith. |
| Considered by a number of British monarchs to be | | | | After they were stolen from Westminster Abbey, the |
| extremely heavy and difficult to wear, St. Edward's | | | | Crown Jewels have been kept at the Tower of |
| Crown is worn during most of the coronation | | | | London since 1303. It is believed that most, if not all, of |
| ceremony. Made of gold, the crown includes 444 | | | | the jewels were recovered not long after being found |
| precious stones. Queen Elizabeth II chose to wear a | | | | in display window of a London jeweler. During World |
| stylized representation of the crown in images of the | | | | War II, the jewels were taken out of the Tower and |
| Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom. | | | | stored somewhere in secret. Stories suggest they |
| Worn by monarchs at their coronation, the Imperial | | | | may have been kept in the basement vaults of the |
| State Crown was made in 1937 for King George VI. | | | | Sun Life Insurance company in Montreal, Canada or in |
| The crown is set with jewels of great antiquity and | | | | the Round Tower of Windsor Castle. It is more |
| historical significance. In all, the crown possesses 2,868 | | | | probable that they were housed at Windsor Castle |
| diamonds, 273 pearls, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds, and | | | | since by law the Crown is not allowed to leave the |
| five rubies. The oldest stone is Edward the | | | | country. |
| Confessor's sapphire, believed to have been worn by | | | | The absolute value of all the gold, silver, platinum, |
| him in a ring and now mounted in the cross patee | | | | diamonds, sapphires, rubies, emeralds and pearls in the |
| above the monde. An ancient spinel, known as the | | | | royal collection make it beyond comparison. Added to |
| Black Prince's Ruby is said to have been given to | | | | the fact that the crowns and other artifacts have all |
| Edward by Pedro the Cruel of Castile. The crown is | | | | been worn and used by kings and queens of England |
| worn after the conclusion of the coronation ceremony | | | | makes the collection priceless. |
| when the monarch departs Westminster Abbey, and | | | | While a majority of people will never wear such |
| also at the annual State Opening of Parliament. | | | | priceless treasures, Pandora Jewelry has created a |
| The Imperial Crown of India was created when King | | | | collection of bracelets and complementary jewelry that |
| George V visited Delhi as Emperor of India. As British | | | | make a woman feel like a queen. Handcrafted from |
| law prohibits the removal of a Crown Jewel from the | | | | 14K gold and sterling silver, each Pandora bracelet tells |
| country to prevent pawning, a new crown was made. | | | | personal stories with the use of charms along with |
| One of the heaviest crowns in the collection, the | | | | Murano glass beads and semi-precious stones. |
| Imperial contains more than 6,000 diamonds. | | | | Pandora bracelets mark special occasions |
| Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother's Crown was | | | | commemorated with charms and birthstones set in a |
| made for her coronation as queen consort in 1937. The | | | | design totally unlike another. |