A Rare Look At The Royal Family’s Most Expensive Jewels

Would you know your demi-parure from your diamond bandeau? Or your amethyst sautoir from your oriental circlet? Those are all specialist jewelry terms and describe some of the fabulous pieces owned by Britain’s royal family. This stunning collection ranges from items hundreds of years old through to contemporary pieces. Let's discover the stories behind the royal family’s most spectacular and most valuable bling, including the crowns that feature at King Charles’ coronation.

30. The Queens four-strand pearl necklace — $30,000+

During her lifetime, the Queen often wore pearls. But one particular necklace with four strands of pearls stood out from her collection. It seems that these pearls came from Japan, possibly as a gift from the government there during a state visit by the Queen in the 1970s. In any case, the pearls were strung by Garrard, a frequent provider of jewelry to British royalty, and they’re reportedly worth a lot of money.

29. Queen Alexandras amethyst sautoir necklace — $60,000

A sautoir necklace is one with a long chain with some kind of bauble suspended from it. In the case of this necklace that once belonged to Queen Alexandra — husband of Edward VII — a heart shaped amethyst is attached. Alexandra gifted the piece to Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon as a wedding present for her marriage to Prince Albert, Duke of York in 1923. Albert became King George VI in 1937 with Elizabeth, later the Queen Mother, as his queen.

28. The Carrington Feather Brooch — $85,000

This attractive brooch in the shape of a feather with a square-cut sapphire set onto it was a wedding gift bestowed on the late Queen. It was made by the jewelry company Carrington and gifted to Queen Elizabeth by the company. As The Court Jeweller website tells us, “The Queen only [wore] the brooch with blue or purple clothing, helping to emphasize the shifting color of the gemstone.”

27. Queen Mothers maple-leaf brooch — $120,000+

Elizabeth II’s mother, also Elizabeth and known as the Queen Mother after her daughter’s coronation, owned a splendid diamond brooch in the shape of a maple leaf. Of course the maple leaf is the national symbol of Canada. So it’s no surprise that the Queen Mother’s husband George VI presented her with the piece in 1939 to mark a state visit to the Canadians.