Crown Jewels of England: history of a treasure

The **history of the Crown Jewels of England** spans a millennium of power. It includes rituals and jewelry craftsmanship. From medieval regalia to the treasure in the **Tower of London**, the history is rich. It illuminates the place of crowns, scepters, and **precious stones**. These objects are key for the **coronation** of the **king**. They are also the memory of the monarchy.

History of the Crown Jewels from the Middle Ages to the Present Day

The **British Crown Jewels** are a living ensemble. It is liturgical, political, and patrimonial. This trajectory also sheds light on the history of jewelry linked to English power. We see the choice of materials and the codification of forms. The repeated use of sacred symbols is important.

From Medieval Origins to Destruction under Cromwell

The first description of a coronation ritual dates back to 973. It was during the coronation of King Edgar in Bath. The history revolves around specific objects. **Crowns**, scepters, rings, and royal insignia are essential. They take their place in a codified liturgy. In 1066, William the Conqueror established the tradition of the coronation. This took place at **Westminster** Abbey, a central location.

This continuity was brutally broken in 1649. After the execution of Charles I, Cromwell acted. His regime melted down or dispersed the medieval jewels. Only one major piece escaped destruction. This is the Coronation Spoon, dating from the 12th century. It is now the oldest object in the collection.

The Renaissance of the Crown Jewels after 1660

With the Restoration, **Charles II** had to reconstruct everything. In 1661, emblems were created. There was the **St Edward's Crown** and the Sovereign's Sceptre. The Sovereign's Orb was also created. This **17th century** marked a lasting turning point. Most of the current **Crown Jewels** come from this period. Their value is ritual and linked to their antiquity.

St Edward's Crown is unique. It is sometimes called **St Edward's**. It is central to the **coronation of a new sovereign**. It is used at the moment of the royal anointing. Then, the sovereign receives his office. The history of royal pearls is also important. It shows the role of **pearls** in these adornments.

Until the 20th century, some major gems were not kept permanently. They were leased for the ceremony, at 4% of their value, then returned to the jewelers.

Conservation and Security at the Tower of London

Since 1660, the **British Crown Jewels** have been kept. They are in the Tower of London, in the Jewel House. This collection brings together more than 140 objects. There are more than 23,000 **precious stones**. The British government is responsible for them. The history of antique jewelry history illuminates this value. It shows their place in circular jewelry.

A famous episode strengthened the protections. In 1671, Thomas Blood attempted a theft. This tightened the security of the **Crown Jewels**. Since then, their public presentation has been strictly regulated.

Each object plays a precise role. The ritual is celebrated at **Westminster**. Some are linked to the **coronation** of the **king**. This link unites usage, history, and representation. It makes the **British Crown Jewels** unique. It is an unparalleled collection in European heritage.

The Great Crowns and Ceremonial Regalia of the Realm

Each piece has a precise function. This is during the British **coronation ceremony**. The **crowns** vary in shape, weight, and metal. Some touch the head of the **British sovereign** for a short moment. Others accompany the **king** or queen. This is for major state ceremonies, throughout the reign.

The Royal Crowns and Their Ceremonial Functions

Among the crowns, St Edward's is the most solemn. Charles II ordered it in 1661. It is made of 22-carat gold and weighs 2.23 kg. It bears 444 **precious stones**. **Sapphires**, topazes, and **rubies** make it up. It is strictly reserved for the coronation. Its symbolic role is strong.

The Imperial State Crown is different. It is called the **Imperial State Crown**. It was designed for regular use. It was created for **Queen Victoria** in 1838. It weighs about 900 grams. It has 2,868 diamonds and 273 **pearls**. It contains 17 **sapphires**, 11 emeralds, and 5 rubies. It is a more manageable structure. It is used for the State Opening of Parliament and official ceremonies.

• **Imperial Crown of India (1911)**: made for George V for the Delhi Durbar, approximately 6,002 precious stones; worn only once, as the law prohibits taking the jewels out of British territory.
• **Queen Mother's Crown (1937)**: made of platinum, 2,800 diamonds mostly from **Queen Victoria's** collection; it houses the **Koh-i-Noor diamond** at its center.

Other pieces complete this collection. George IV's diadem dates from 1820. It has a structure of diamonds and **pearls**. It is adorned with cross pattées. Lighter than the great crowns, it is often seen. It appears in official portraits and ceremonies.

Queen Mary's taste for pearls was particular. This clearly illuminates the aesthetic of the adornments. This profusion is never gratuitous. Each stone catches the light. It asserts rank without making the reading heavy.

Scepters, Orbs, and Sacred Objects of the Coronation

The **ceremonial insignia** are not just the crowns. The **Royal Scepter** with Cross was created for **Charles** II. It measures 92 cm and dates from 1661. It brings together 333 diamonds and 31 **rubies**. It has 15 emeralds, 7 **sapphires**, 6 spinels, and an amethyst. It represents the authority of the monarch. Since 1910, it has held the Cullinan I. Its 530.2 carats make it the largest colorless diamond in the world.

The Sovereign's Orb, from 1661, is rich in gems. It is set with over 600 stones. It recalls the monarchy-Anglican Church link. The Coronation Spoon is a relic. It is the only survivor of the ancient 12th-century insignia. It contains the holy oil for the anointing. It is a discreet detail, but central to the **coronation ceremony**.

The Emblematic Precious Stones of the Crown Jewels

The Cullinan Diamonds, at the Heart of the Royal Regalia

Discovered on January 26, 1905, the rough Cullinan was enormous. It weighed 3,106 carats and measured 10 cm. The **Cullinan diamonds**, after cutting, yielded nine gems. They also produced 96 smaller brilliants. They are distributed among the **royal insignia** and the private collection. No other diamond has produced a comparable set.

• **Cullinan I: Great Star of Africa**: 530 carats, pear cut, largest colorless cut diamond in the world, set in the Sovereign's Scepter with Cross since 1910.
• **Cullinan II: Second Star of Africa**: 317 carats, cushion cut, in the center of the **State Crown**.
• **Cullinan III and IV**: 94 and 63 carats, nicknamed "Granny's Chips" by **Queen Elizabeth** II, often worn as brooches during official ceremonies.

The rough Cullinan diamond was offered in 1907. The Transvaal government gave it to **King** Edward VII. Its division was entrusted to the lapidaries of Amsterdam. This required several weeks of study. Joseph Asscher struck the stone on February 10, 1908.

The Koh-i-Noor, the Black Prince's Ruby, and the Memory of the Crowns

Among the **emblematic precious stones**, the **Koh-i-Noor** is unique. This **Koh-i-Noor diamond** of 105 carats has a history. Its Persian name means "mountain of light". It passed from the Mughals to Nader Shah. Then it was the property of Indian sovereigns. It was handed over to **Queen Victoria** in 1851. Today it adorns the Queen Mother's Crown, from 1937.

During the coronation of **Charles** III in 2023, the **Koh-i-Noor** was not worn. This choice is explained by claims. Iran, India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan claim it. This proves that gems are political and jeweled.

The **Black Prince's Ruby** comes from ancient identifications. It is called the Black Prince's Ruby. Offered to Edward of Woodstock in 1367, it is irregular. It weighs 170 carats. It is not a ruby. It is a red spinel. This nuance is essential. These pieces must be placed in their mineralogical context.

Gem	Actual nature	Weight	Current location
Koh-i-Noor	Diamond	105 carats	Queen Mother's Crown
Black Prince's Ruby	Red Spinel	170 carats	Imperial State Crown
Cullinan I	Colorless Diamond	530 carats	Sovereign's Scepter
St Edward's Sapphire	Sapphire	Not specified	Imperial State Crown

Ancient Sapphire, Pearls Attributed to Elizabeth, and Imperial State Crown

St Edward's Sapphire is rose-cut. It is octagonal in shape. It is believed to come from the 11th-century king's ring. This could be the oldest object in the collection. This **sapphire** now adorns the **Imperial State Crown**.

On the other hand, some attributions remain uncertain. The four long pearls come from the Imperial State Crown. They are linked to Elizabeth I. There is no definitive proof. Their interest is symbolic. It lies more in their transmission than in their material value.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who owns the British Crown Jewels?

The British Crown Jewels are held in trust. The monarch keeps them on behalf of the nation. They are not his private property. These insignia cannot be sold. They have been kept in the Tower of London since 1660. The public can see these crowns and insignia. They are passed down from one coronation to the next.

 

What is the oldest crown among the English Crown Jewels?

St Edward's Crown is the oldest. It remains intact and is still used. It was made in 1661 for Charles II. This was after the destruction of the regalia under Cromwell. The Coronation Spoon is older. It is the only surviving item from the 12th century.

 

Why was the Koh-i-Noor not worn at the coronation of Charles III in 2023?

The Koh-i-Noor was not used. It was not on Charles III's crowns. The reason is a sensitive diplomatic context. India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran all claim it. Its absence avoided controversy. The ceremony was watched worldwide.

A treasure that spans centuries

Medieval insignia were destroyed under Cromwell. From then to the Cullinan diamonds, the story is vast. The Crown Jewels of England tell nearly a thousand years of history. They speak of power, rituals, and craftsmanship. This is proof that a piece of jewelry transcends eras. It retains all its strength and value.

And you, which piece fascinates you the most? Is it the Cullinan I, the Koh-i-Noor, or St Edward's Crown?

DISCOVER VALORDIAMS