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