The Crown Jewels do not belong to the reigning monarchs but rather the State, who loans them out for the Sovereigns’ official duties. A royal gemologist (another lifer) sees to their keep, which boasts some serious rocks.
The Queen Mother’s Crown holds Koh-I-Noor diamond that dates back to 14th-century India, and has been the subject of a debate between the two nations as to who is the legitimate owner.
The Imperial State Crown, which current Queen Elizabeth II wore to her coronation in 1953, has an even more fabulous jewel—the 317 carat Cullinan II diamond carats was placed on the Crown in 1909 during the reign of Edward II.
This crown also holds the one-thousand-year-old St. Edwards sapphire, the Stuart Sapphire, which was lost and then found after being sold off during the English Civil war and the Black Prince Ruby—really a red spinel but equally rare due to its unusual cut and shape. Most of the gemstones in the Crown Jewels came from DeBeers mines. The Crowns are adjusted to each sovereign and can weigh anywhere from two to five pounds. Talk about a pain in the neck!
0.12 CTW Crown
Weight: 3.47G
Metal: 925 Sterling Silver
diamond Weight: 0.12 CTW
Width: 2 mm
Gemstone Type: diamond
Gemstone Colour: White
Gemstone Weight: 0.120 CTW
0.15 CTW Crown
Weight: 3.18G
Metal: 925 Sterling Silver
Width: 2 mm
Gemstone Type: diamond
Gemstone Weight: 0.150 CTW
0.3 CTW Crown
Weight: 2.75G
Metal: 925 Sterling Silver
Width: 2 mm
Gemstone Type: diamond
Gemstone Creation: Natural
Gemstone Weight: 0.30 CTW
