Top Jewellery Resources and Famous Crown Jewels

CROWN JEWELS is the traditional English term for the elements in metalwork or jewellery of the royal regalia of a particular state. They are often only used for the coronation of a monarch and a few other ceremonial occasions, though the monarch may also be often shown wearing them in portraits, as they symbolize the power and continuity of the monarchy. Though additions to them may be made, since medieval times the existing items are typically passed down unchanged as they symbolize the continuity of the monarchy.

Typical items in Europe include crowns, sceptres, orbs, swords, rings, all usually in gold and heavily decorated with jewels, in styles which go back to the Middle Ages and are normally very conservative to emphasize the continuity of the monarchy. Many crown jewels are kept in a museum setting except when in use, and can be seen by the public. The crown jewels of many former monarchies can also be seen in museums, and may still represent national cultural icons even for countries that are now republics, as for example in Hungary, where the Holy Crown of Hungary has been re-incorporated in the coat of arms of Hungary. Several countries outside Europe have crown jewels that are either in traditional forms for the country, or a synthesis of European and local forms and styles.

Jewellery News, Reviews & Resources

• 5 Ways to Identify Gold Purity at Home - "How To Identify Fake Gold Jewellery?"
• 6 Best Jewels of New York Fashion Week - The New York Times.
• 10 Most Expensive Pieces Of Jewelry Ever Sold At Auction - Business Insider.
• 12 spectacular pink diamond engagement rings - "Inspired by the Pink Star diamond?"
• 26 Firsts from Boucheron - "Redefining luxury." 26 things you didn’t know about Maison Boucheron.
• 30 Christmas gifts for jewellery lovers - The Telegraph.
• $150 million of bling: how Cartier recreated a 1930s masterpiece for Ocean’s 8 - The Telegraph.
• 205-Carat ‘Red Cross Diamond’ To Be Sold, With Some Of Proceeds Going To Namesake Aid Group - "One of the world’s largest diamonds is going up for auction next month, with a portion of proceeds from the sale set to go to the International Committee of the Red Cross, the world’s largest humanitarian organization, which it has been associated with for more than 100 years. The auction will be held May 11 in Geneva, and Christie’s told Forbes a a 'significant' cut of the proceeds will be donated to the International Red Cross."
• 2020 Oscars: The Best Jewels On The Red Carpet - "As is often the case at the Oscars it was diamonds that ruled the red carpet as stars sparkled wearing Forevermark, Bulgari, Chopard, Harry Winston, Cartier and jewels from other international brands and acclaimed jewelry designers. The overall look of the evening was elegant and tasteful with a balance of earrings, necklaces and bracelets. Color was at a minimum."
• A shopping guide to the best ... party necklaces - "Buy, rent or thrift it - alternative ways to shop. This week, jewellery that will elevate your workaday outfit to a party get-up."
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• Affair of the Diamond Necklace - incident in 1785 at the court of King Louis XVI of France involving his wife, Queen Marie Antoinette. The reputation of the Queen, already tarnished by gossip, was ruined by the implication that she participated in a crime to defraud the crown jewelers of the cost of a very expensive diamond necklace. The Affair is historically significant as one of the events that led to the French populace's disillusionment with the monarchy, which, among other causes, eventually precipitated the French Revolution.
• ALL ABOUT GEMSTONES - a diamond, colored-gemstone and jewelry database/website that was written from a layperson's perspective, and is designed to bridge the gap between the expert gemologist.
• AMETHYST - Wikipedia.
• Andrew Grima, jeweller to Hollywood & royalty - The Telegraph.
• Are crystals the new blood diamonds? - "Gwyneth loves them, Adele can’t sing without them and Kim Kardashian uses them to deal with stress. Many of us are lured by their beauty and promise of mystical powers, but are ‘healing’ crystals connecting us to the earth - or harming it?"
• Art Deco: How Discovery, Invention & Fashion Created a Movement - "Art Deco or Arts Décoratifs originated in the 1920's, following the Exposition Internationale des Arts DÉcoratifs et Industriels Modernes held in Paris (1925). However, it wasn’t until the 1930’s that the movement gained momentum across both Europe and the US, broadening Art Deco to cover all elements of decorative art including furniture, interior design, jewelry and architecture. Its popularity stems from its unique origins. Rather than a design movement driven by political or philosophical forces, it was created for the desire of glamorous and alluring change, a reflection of the golden age in Hollywood and a widespread economic boom."
• ART JEWELRY - Wikipedia.
• Bangle - Wikipedia.
• Bella Hadid lets her necklace do the talking - The Telegraph.
• best jewellery at the Cannes Film Festival through the ages - The Telegraph.
• Bezel - the bezel of a ring is a wider and usually thicker section of the hoop, which may contain a flat surface, usually with an engraved design, as in a signet ring, or a gem.
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• Bismarck Sapphire Necklace - sapphire necklace designed by Cartier, Inc. in 1935. It is named after Countess Mona von Bismarck, who donated the piece to the Smithsonian in 1967.
• Bulgari & the Era of the Global Jeweler - The New York Times.
• Bulgari Unveils Incredible Barocko Jewelry Collection With All Unique Pieces - "It is customary at the House of Bulgari to unveil spectacular new pieces of jewelry - most of them one-of-a-kinds - in a huge event that celebrates the brand’s rich Roman roots and magnificent abilities at gem-setting and selecting stones. This year, Bulgari releases its new high-jewelry collection under the name of Barocko. Naturally, due to Covid-19, the brand was unable to hold its typical event, and instead opted for a digital release of the new collection - via a dedicated app."
• Cabochon - gemstone which has been shaped and polished as opposed to faceted.
• Can NFTs work for luxury jewellery? - "The NFT debate is now running through the market for diamonds and luxury jewellery. Royal jeweller Asprey plans to issue NFTs, but others are staying away - for now."
• CARTIER S.A. - the company has a long and distinguished history of serving royalty, as well as stars and celebities. One Prince of Wales hailed Cartier as "Joaillier des Rois, Roi des Joailliers" ("Jeweller to Kings, King of Jewellers").
• Cartier’s Coloratura high jewellery is a celebration of diversity & colour - The Telegraph.
• Celebrate Peridot, An August Birthstone, With These Beautiful Pieces Of Peridot Jewelry - "August has several birthstones, but the most well-known is peridot. This beautiful green gemstone comes in a range of hues, from yellow-green to deep green, and lends itself to classic, stone-focused jewelry, as well as accents with other stones and colors."
• Chopard Dresses Bond Girl In 140 Carats Of Diamonds - "Chopard has joined the cast of the latest James Bond film No Time to Die, to be released in April. Pieces from the jewelry firm’s Green Carpet collection will make an appearance in the 25th Bond film, worn by Ana de Armas, who plays Paloma, a CIA agent, in the movie. She wears a Chopard necklace set with 43 carats of pear-shaped diamonds, a matching bracelet with 82 carats of pear-shaped and round-brilliant diamonds and earrings set with another 14 carats of diamonds."
• Chrysoprase - Wikipedia.
• Collier d'esclavage - Objets d'hier.
• Costume jewelry - Wikipedia.
• Custom Jewelry, Mini Size - The New York Times.
• DAVID EDEN - expensive eye glasses with diamonds, rubies and sapphires.
• Diamond Fund of Russia - dates back to the time of Peter I. A collection of masterpieces of jewelry of the 18th-20th centuries, rare precious stones, gold and platinum nuggets of great historic, artistic and scientific importance, as well as vast material value.
• Diamond.net - "Diamond Prices, Rapaport News and Information."
• Dior À Versailles CÔtÉs Jardins - "A magical stroll around the gardens of Versailles."
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• duchess of windsor jewels - sold at Sotheby's Geneva auction on April 2 and 3, 1987.
• EdmÉ-Marie Foncier - (1760-1826). Était un joaillier et négociant parisien. Bijoutier du Palais-Royal, il était à la mode auprès des Incroyables et Merveilleuses, sous le Directoire. Son atelier parisien se trouvait rue Neuve-des-Mathurins. Sous le Premier Empire, il crée les couronnes de Napoléon et de Joséphine, l'épée du sacre avec Le Régent, et la ceinture de Joséphine.
• Elizabeth Taylor Auction of a lifetime - YouTube 1:13:11.
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• Elizabeth Taylor's £100m collection of gems, gowns and art goes on display at Christie's - Daily Mail.
• Elsa Peretti - jewelry designer, philanthropist & former fashion model.
• EMERALDS - Wikipedia.
• ESTATE JEWELRY - Wikipedia.
• Eternity ring - also known as an infinity ring, is a woman's ring comprising a band of precious metal (usually gold) set with a continuous line of identically cut gemstones (usually diamonds) to symbolize neverending love, usually given by a spouse to their wife on the occasion of a significant anniversary, typically after 10 or more years of marriage.
• F1’s Bernie Ecclestone claims daughter Tamara’s £50m jewellery raid is INSIDE JOB - "Every piece of jewellery in the £70million mansion is said to have been swiped in a 50-minute raid on Friday night - just hours after Tamara, 35, left the country for her Christmas holidays."
• FABERGÉ EGG - Wikipedia.
• Facet - flat faces on geometric shapes. Gemstones commonly have facets cut into them in order to improve their appearance by allowing them to reflect light.
• Fibula - definition & explanation.
• Garnet - group of silicate minerals that have been used since the Bronze Age as gemstones and abrasives.
• GEM - definition & explanation.
• Gem encyclopedia - GIA.
• GEMSTONES - Wikipedia.
• GRAFF DIAMONDS ROBBERY - Wikipedia.
• Hands-On With The Incredible Bulgari Serpenti Misteriosi Women’s Watch With Mechanical Movement - "Worn by actresses and the most privileged jet-set, what renders today’s Bulgari, and today’s Bulgari Serpenti creations, so special, in my eyes at least, is that the company and its craftspeople are still able to push the serpent theme."
• Harry Winston unveils the Legacy jewellery collection - "A high jewellery love letter to the King of Diamonds."
• History & symbolism of King Charles' signature pinky ring - "King Charles’ pinky ring has been a style staple of the monarch since the 1970s."
• HOUSE OF FABERGÉ - Wikipedia.
• House of Faberge: The story behind the world's most luxurious eggs - CNN style.
• How Gwyneth Paltrow became the ultimate jewellery influencer - "How Gwyneth Paltrow became the ultimate jewellery influencer. Forget the Kate effect - in the jewellery world it's all about Gwyneth."
• How the Tamara Ecclestone £25m diamonds case was cracked - Over 14 days, cell site data pinpointed them in Golders Green, London Bridge, New Bond Street, Chelsea, Fulham and Orpington.
• How Tiffany's Iconic Box Became the World's Most Popular Package - "This robin’s egg blue is trademarked. Everyone knows the meaning of the little blue box: Tiffany & Co. jewelry is likely to be inside. The often heart-shaped jewelry made of timeless sterling silver has become highly desired in every girl’s jewelry collection."
• How to pick the right high jewellery to invest in: consider buying from Cartier, Tiffany & Co, Bulgari, Van Cleef & Arpels & other luxury brands - "Considering investing in high jewellery? Rarity is a most valuable commodity, apart from colour, clarity, cut and carat ... but don't forget ..."
• How vintage jewellery brings old-time glamour to the red carpet - The Telegraph.
• IBM is using blockchain to confirm the origins of jewelry - engadget.
• Icecap diamonds - "The Hardest Asset Is Now Liquid." Non-fungible Token Hard Asset Diamond Investment. Safely add diamonds to your investment portfolio via blockchain technology.
• If you like vibrating jewelry, put a Ringly on it - engadget.
• Ilias Lalaounis Jewelry Museum - founded in 1993. Athens, Greece.
• Inside La Pausa: Coco Chanel's Côte d'Azur hideaway that inspired the new high jewellery collection - The Telegraph.
• Inside Princess Diana's jewellery collection - The Telegraph.
• Inside the $128 million heist that shocked the world & the police chase that followed - "It took at least nine hard blows from an ax to smash the glass case in Dresden's historic Green Vault. Once the glass shattered, the two masked thieves grabbed 21 priceless diamond-studded artifacts and disappeared."
• JASPER - Wikipedia.
• JCK Magzine - "Jewelry Industri News, Trands, and Analysis."
• Jewelers of America - "The resource for the professional jewelry industry."
• JEWELLERY - Wikipedia.
• JEWELLERY MUSEUMS IN EUROPE - The Society of Jewellery Historians.
• JEWELLERY MUSEUMS IN UK - The Society of Jewellery Historians.
• Jewelry designer - Wikipedia.
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• Jewels du Jour - "Your Daily Dose of Jewelry."
• JEWELS OF IMELDA MARCOS
• Kenneth Jay Lane, Jewelry Designer Who Made a Fortune Faking It, Dies at 85 - The New York Times.
• King Charles III's Coronation Jewels Will Be Worth Nearly $4 Billion - "Charles will be decked out in nearly $4 billion (!!) of coronation regalia. Yes, billion, with a B. 'How could one man possibly wear that much jewelry?' you might ask. But the collection is comprised of the St. Edwards Crown, Sovereign's Ring, Imperial State Crown, Sovereign’s Sceptre with dove, Sovereign’s Sceptre with the cross, Sovereign’s Orb, Gold Ampulla, the Spurs, and the Sword of Offering, all littered with gem stones like diamonds, sapphires, rubies, and pearls."
  
• kokoshnik tiara - Wikipedia.
• largest ever private collection of Grima jewellery - The Telegraph.
• Lavalier - Wikipedia.
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• Le Freeport - "A high-end, ultra safe facility for the storage of valuable goods." LE FREEPORT sets new standards, demanded by investors and collectors alike: a purpose built facility combining cutting edge technology, efficient logistics, and an exhaustive range of expert services. LE FREEPORT is the ideal platform for securing, servicing and selling works of art and other valuables. Luxembourg & Singapore.
• Lewis Hamilton could face ban from racing in 2022 Monaco GP - "Lewis Hamilton has been warned that he could face substantial ramifications if he does not remove his permanent jewellery by the time the Formula 1 circus has arrived to the Principality for the 2022 Monaco Grand Prix."
• LIFE GEM - is a certified, high-quality diamond created from the carbon of your loved one as a memorial to their unique life.
• List of jewellery designers - Wikipedia.
• List of jewellery types - Wikipedia.
• London Gets a Glimpse Inside the Tiffany Archive - "More than 400 pieces from the jeweler, including the treasured Tiffany Diamond, are on view in a free exhibition."
• Louis Vuitton brings world's second largest diamond to Dubai - "The 1,758 carat Sewelo diamond is currently on show - and for sale - at the maison's Dubai Mall store."
• Louis Vuitton’s latest jewellery collection features controversial letter ‘Z’ that attracts online condemnations & criticisms - "Z has gone from a military marking to the main symbol of public support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine."
• Luxury Investments Around the World Compared - infographic - "Do you enjoy the finer things in life? For many of the world’s wealthy individuals, acquiring luxury goods such as art, fine wine, and watches is a passion. Unlike traditional investments in financial assets, luxury goods can be difficult to value if one does not have an appreciation for their form. A rare painting, for example, does not generate cash flows, meaning its value is truly in the eye of the beholder. To gain some insight into the market for luxury goods, this infographic takes data from Knight Frank’s 2021 Wealth Report to compare the preferences of nine global regions."
• Major jewellers to cease buying Russian-origin diamonds after increased scrutiny - "Several big name brands including Tiffany, Pandora and Chopard announce a pause on buying raw materials of Russian origin amid war in Ukraine."
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• Marie-Antoinette's jewellery cabinet - The jewellery cabinet commissioned to Jean-Ferdinand Schwerdfeger (1734-1818) by Queen Marie-Antoinette placed in the alcove to the left of the bed in her bedrom at Versailles Palace in 1787.
• Marie Antoinette's jewellery up for auction - "Highlight diamond-and-pearl pendant piece estimated to fetch up to $2m at Sotheby’s auction in Geneva."
• Master jeweler invents 'unbreakable' porcelain - CNN style.
• Meghan Markle wears Diana's Asprey ring to her evening reception - "A 'something blue' gift from Prince Harry."
• Meghan Markle's £1.1k 'good vibes' bracelet that's said to 'ward off undesired energy' - "During an appearance at a virtual summit, Meghan Markle wore the £1,100 diamond-studded piece called the Eye of Protection bracelet, pairing it with her sleek black outfit."
• Modern Jeweler - "Products and Trends for Jewelery Retailers."
• MOISSANITE - Wikipedia.
• Natural diamond engagement ring sales are falling. Here's why - "Why lab-grown diamond sales are surging."
• National Jeweler - since 1906. "Jewelry Industry News | Precious Metals Market Analysis & Reporting."
• NEW YORK JEWELRY DIARY - by Clive Kandel.
• Oscars 2019: Lady Gaga's Priceless 128.54 Carat "Tiffany Diamond" Necklace Was Last Worn by Audrey Hepburn in 1961 - W Magazine.
• PARURE - a set of various items of matching jewelry, which rose to popularity in 17th century Europe.
• PENDANT - Wikipedia.
• Peridot - one of the lesser-known gemstones, despite its illustrious history, increasing rarity and lively beauty. Although a quality peridot is a bright shade of light green tinged with yellow, these gems are often mistaken for darker emeralds. In fact, the Romans called them the “evening emeralds” because of the way they caught and reflected lamplight.
• PETER CARL FABERGÉ - Russian jeweler, best known for the famous Fabergé eggs, made in the style of genuine Easter eggs, but using precious metals and gemstones rather than more mundane materials.
• Philippines to auction off $21m worth of Imelda Marcos's jewellery - The Guardian.
• Polygon - since 1984. Online community and trading network for qualified gem and jewelry professionals. Provides a sophisticated online environment for members to actively interact on the forums, and buy and sell loose diamonds, finished and semi-finished jewelry, precious and semi-precious gemstones, pearls, watches, estate pieces, coins, precious metals and more.
• Princess Diana’s Wedding Tiara Goes On Display For Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee - "The tiara worn by the late Princess Diana on her wedding day will go on display in London this summer for the first time since the 1960s as part of a landmark exhibit of aristocratic tiaras to celebrate Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee, which marks her 70th year on the British throne."
• Princess Grace of Monaco's most dazzling jewellery moments - "From her silver screen jewellery moments to the royal collection she established as the Princess of Monaco."
• Professional Jeweler - "Every article was researched and written by an experienced editorial staff and respected industry authorities covering every aspect of the jewelry industry. The complete collection of informative industry data is available in our archives."
• Qatari royal showcases jewels of the Maharajas - CNN style.
• Queen Elizabeth’s Jaw-Dropping Collection of Royal Jewels Is on Display at Buckingham Palace - "Holding onto precious jewelry has been the royal family’s jam for generations. Now a new UK exhibition is putting those skills - and the heirlooms they’ve culled - on full display. The show, organized by the Royal Collection Trust, showcases pieces from Her Majesty’s extensive prized jewelry collection. The exhibition, entitled 'The Platinum Jubilee: The Queen’s Accession,' opened to the public on Friday inside the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace."
• Rapaport Weekly Report - key executive summary, including editorial analysis, news and a comprehensive overview of the diamond and jewelry markets. Delivered to your inbox each week.
• Rare jewels given to Napoleon's daughter fetch over $1.6M - "The jewels were sold individually at Christie's in Geneva, 200 years after the French emperor's death. Each item exceeded the auction house's initial estimates, which ranged from 10,000 to 250,000 Swiss francs ($11,000 to $275,430) per piece. The biggest earner was a sapphire and diamond tiara which fetched 525,000 Swiss francs (over $577,000)."
• Rebag - founded in 2014. "Buy & Sell Used Designer Bags, Watches, Jewelry & More." Rebag is the authority in buying, selling, and trading luxury accessories including handbags, fine jewelry, watches, and small leather goods. With over 50 designer brands and tens of thousands of items to shop, Rebag is the ultimate destination for refreshing your closet or unloading once-loved items from your collection. Come discover the most renowned fashion brands in the world, including Chanel, Hermès, Rolex, Louis Vuitton, Cartier, and more. Rebag specialists inspect and certify every item before listing on our site. That way you can trust you're always receiving the most incredible luxury goods.
• Record-setting ring weighs nearly a pound & contains 24,679 diamonds - "A ring has made its way into the Guinness World Records for the most diamonds set in one ring. The sparkler is encrusted with more than 24,000 diamonds and weighs nearly a pound. Each stone was hand-placed and took nearly 3 months to complete. The one-of-a-kind ring broke the previous record set two years ago."
• Resonances de Cartier: eclectic & extraordinary high jewellery that echoes a remarkable past - The Telegraph.
• RHINESTONES - definition & explanation.
• Royal Jewels from the Bourbon Parma Family auction - "Once belonged to Queen Marie Antoinette."
• Russia Fights Efforts to Declare It an Exporter of ‘Blood Diamonds’ - "As a major diamond producer, Russia earns billions of dollars that other nations say help finance war. The clash exposes the many loopholes in regulation of conflict diamonds."
• Russian FabergÉ exhibition contains 'at least 20 fakes', expert says - "Andre Ruzhnikov accuses director Mikhail Piotrovsky of ‘destroying the authority of the museum’."
• Say my name: the return of the statement necklace - The Guardian.
• Small-scale miner finds biggest tanzanite gems in history, worth $3.3m - "Saniniu Laizer plans to build a school and shopping mall near his home in Tanzania, but will hold a big party first."
• spectacular High Jewellery at Paris Haute Couture Week - The Telegraph.
• Sri Lanka shows off giant natural blue sapphire - "Sri Lankan authorities on Sunday put on show what they said was the world's largest natural corundum blue sapphire, weighing 310 kilograms (683 pounds), which was found in a gem pit about three months ago."
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• STABIQ TREASURE HOUSE - "Your Safest Place." In times of swift political and social change and increased uncertainty on the financial markets, there is a growing desire for safety and consistency. Our Asset Protection Solutions offer our customers sustainable and reliable solutions as well as a safe haven. In collaboration with our attorney and trust company, we offer the opportunity of storing your valuable items such as gold and precious metals, works of art, jewellery, watches and coin collections in exclusive surroundings within an area of over 6000 m². At the same time, valuables can be presented, viewed and evaluated in our exclusive showrooms. The STABIQ Treasure House is also an Open Customs Warehouse (OCW) managed in accordance with the strict guidelines of the Swiss Customs Authority. Wirtschaftspark 27, 9492 Eschen, Liechtenstein.
• Statement Necklace - "Statement necklaces are easy to identify because they're chunky, unique and attention-grabbing. They come in a bevy of styles from metallic necklaces and jeweled pieces to colorful neck pieces and beaded baubles. The most important thing to note is that statement necklaces are meant to be the main, defining piece of your outfit."
• Suspected FabergÉ egg found on Russian oligarch’s superyacht, US investigators say - "What could be a priceless Fabergé egg has been found on board a Russian oligarch’s superyacht seized by US authorities, one of the more curious items unearthed in sanctions-led investigations so far."
• Suzanne Belperron - (1900–1983). Was an influential 20th-century jewellery designer based in Paris. She worked for the Boivin and Herz jewellery houses before the outbreak of World War II. Belperron had many important clients, from royalty, arts and showbusiness on both sides of the Atlantic.
• Tanzanite - Wikipedia.
  
• The finest jewellery boxes to store your most precious pieces - The Telegraph.
• The most incredible bejeweled watches at Paris Couture - The Telegraph.
• The New Appeal of Men’s Jewelry - The New York Times.
• The new wave of fine jewelers bringing African luxury to the world - "Africa is often seen as the home of precious gemstones and metals, with the world's leading jewelry houses sourcing a steady stream of diamonds, gold and other minerals from the continent."
• The priceless jewels stolen in German museum heist - "Dresden museum heist: What we know about the stolen jewels."
• Tiffany & Co.: leading the way in ethically produced jewellery - The Telegraph.
• Tiffany takeover approach is all about chasing Chinese money - "LVMH bid for jeweller is latest attempt to target China’s new wealthy generation."
• Top 10 Most Expensive Gemstones in the World - TheRichest.org
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• Treasure of San Gennaro - said to rival Britain's Crown Jewels and those of the Russian tsars in value.
• True lover's knot - the association of knots with the symbolism of love, friendship and affection dates back to antiquity.
• Venice’s Jeweler to the Stars Is Also Its Best-Kept Secret - "At Casa Codognato, the rich and famous shop for macabre, erotic, and cheeky totems."
• Vermeil - combination of sterling silver, gold, and other precious metals, commonly used as a component in jewelry.
• Where do the jewels end up after a heist? - The Telegraph.
• Why blingier is always better when it comes to jewellery in Hollywood - The Telegraph.
• world's largest jewelry brand is ditching mined diamonds - "The Copenhagen-based company said it's instead shifting toward the use of diamonds created in labs, which it emphasized have the same 'optical, chemical, thermal and physical characteristics.' The collection, called Pandora Brilliance, is rolling out in the United Kingdom and expected to launch globally next year."
• World's largest star sapphire cluster found in backyard - "Sri Lankan authorities say the world's largest star sapphire cluster has been found in a backyard - by accident. A gem trader said the stone was found by workmen digging a well in his home in the gem-rich Ratnapura area. Experts say the stone, which is pale blue in colour, has an estimated value of up to $100 million in the international market. The cluster weighs around 510 kilograms or 2.5 million carats and has been named the 'Serendipity Sapphire'."
• ZIRCON - Zircon (ZrSiO4) is cut into gemstones for use in jewelry.

Royal & Imperial Crown Jewels & Regalia

• CROWN JEWELS - Wikipedia.
• Crown Jewels of Major Countries - "Royalty comes with lots of perks, among them access to crown jewels. If you thought that crown jewels were exclusive to Britain, you'd be wrong. Many other countries in Europe, and a few in other parts of the world, have some bejeweled swag as well. And even parts of the U.S. have crown jewels of their own."
• CROWN JEWELS OF THE BRITISH MONARCHS - "The Crown Jewels are displayed at the Jewel House in the Tower of London and can be viewed there by the public. The coronation of a new sovereign is one of the monarchy's most glittering pageants, staged in the gothic splendour of ancient Westminster Abbey, where every King and Queen of England, with the exception of Edward V and Edward VIII, has been crowned since King Harold II in 1066. This time-honoured ritual emphasizes the continuity and majesty of the British monarchy."
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• Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom - "The Crown Jewels have been stored and displayed at the Tower of London since 1661, continuing a long tradition of storing precious objects here."
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• Danish Crown Regalia - "They consist of three crowns, a Sceptre (symbolizing supreme authority), Globus cruciger (an orb symbolizing the earthly realm surmounted by a cross), the Sword of state and an Ampulla (symbolizing anointing of monarchs). The Danish Royal Regalia are kept in the treasury at Rosenborg Castle. The oldest of these is Christian III's sword of state from 1551. They further include King Christian IV's diamond; pearl- and gold-embroidered saddles; objects carved from ivory and rock-crystal; lapidary pieces of precious stones, and brooches in the form of fantastic animals."
• Descendants of Italy’s last king attempt to reclaim crown jewels - "Bank of Italy took delivery of the jewels, comprising more than 6,000 diamonds and 2,000 pearls mounted on brooches and necklaces worn by various queens and princesses, on 5 June 1946, three days after Italians voted to abolish the monarchy and nine days before King Umberto II, who ruled for just 34 days, was banished into exile along with his male heirs."
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• FRENCH CROWN JEWELS - "Comprise the crowns, orb, sceptres, diadems and jewels that were symbols of Royal power between 752 and 1825. These were worn by many Kings and Queens of France as well as Emperor Napoleon. The set was finally broken up, with most of it sold off in 1885 by the Third Republic."
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• French Crown Jewels - "Their Sale and Dispersion."
• Gorgeous Emerald Tiaras - The Court Jeweller.
• Imperial Crown of Mexico - "The crown created for the Emperor of Mexico on two occasions. "
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• Imperial Crown of Russia - "Was used by the monarchs of Russia from 1762 until the Russian monarchy's abolition in 1917. The Great Imperial Crown was first used in a coronation by Catherine the Great, and it was last worn at the coronation of Nicholas II. It was displayed prominently next to Nicholas II on a cushion at the State Opening of the Russian Duma inside the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg in 1906. It survived the 1917 revolution and is currently on display in Moscow at the Kremlin Armoury's State Diamond Fund."
• India to Seek Return of Koh-i-Noor Diamond From Britain - "The Indian government has begun a campaign for the return of a historic 105.6-carat diamond that was either a gift to Queen Victoria from the maharajah of Punjab in 1849 or stolen by the British, depending on some widely divergent perspectives."
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• Iranian Crown Jewels - "Include elaborate crowns, thirty tiaras, and numerous aigrettes, a dozen bejeweled swords and shields, a number of unset precious gems, numerous plates and other dining services cast in precious metals and encrusted with gems, and several other more unusual items (such as a large golden globe with the oceans made of emeralds) collected or worn by the Persian monarchs from the 16th century (Safavid Persia) and on. The collection is housed at the Treasury of National Jewels, situated inside the Central Bank of Iran on Tehran's Ferdowsi Avenue."
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• Iron Crown of Lombardy - "A reliquary and may be one of the oldest royal insignia of Christendom. It was made in the Early Middle Ages, consisting of a circlet of gold and jewels fitted around a central silver band, which tradition held to be made of iron beaten out of a nail of the True Cross. In the medieval Kingdom of Italy, the crown came to be seen as a relic from the Kingdom of the Lombards and was used as regalia for the coronation of the Holy Roman Emperors as kings of Italy. It is kept in the Cathedral of Monza."
• Italy's former royal family wants the crown jewels back - "The jewels were deposited in the Bank of Italy by a representative of the family on June 5, 1946 - three days after Italians voted in a referendum to remove the monarchy - to be kept at the disposal of 'whoever has the right.' The family now argues that it has a right to ownership."
• King Charles III's Coronation Jewels Will Be Worth Nearly $4 Billion - "Charles will be decked out in nearly $4 billion (!!) of coronation regalia. Yes, billion, with a B. 'How could one man possibly wear that much jewelry?' you might ask. But the collection is comprised of the St. Edwards Crown, Sovereign's Ring, Imperial State Crown, Sovereign’s Sceptre with dove, Sovereign’s Sceptre with the cross, Sovereign’s Orb, Gold Ampulla, the Spurs, and the Sword of Offering, all littered with gem stones like diamonds, sapphires, rubies, and pearls."
• Regalia of the Russian tsars - "From the 13th to the 20th centuries of the history of Russia, are the insignia of tsars and emperors of Russia. Some of the artefacts were changed or substituted, the most radical change happened in the 18th century, when Peter the Great reformed the state and transitioned it to European-style monarchy."
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• Russian Crown Jewels - "The Great Imperial Crown was made by a skilled court jeweller Jeremia Posier for the Empress Catherine II the Great's Coronation in 1762. It has a traditional shape and is made up of the two open hemispheres divided by a foliate garland and fastened with a low hoop. The crown is set with 5,000 selected Indian diamonds (some Russian sources state this number as 4,836) and and number fine, large white pearls. The crown is also decorated with one of the seven historic stones of the Russia's Diamond Collection - a large precious red spinel weighing 398.72 carats which was brought to Russia by Nicholas Spafary, the Russian envoy to China from 1675 to 1678."
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• Swedish Crown Regalia - "The Swedish Regalia are the principal symbols of Sweden's form of government. The kingdom's main regalia are the sword, the crown, the sceptre, the orb and the key. Their symbolism was defined during King Erik XIV's coronation in 1561."
• The curious case of the Irish Crown Jewels - "The theft of the Irish Crown Jewels from Dublin Castle in 1907 was Ireland's most scandalous heist - and it remains unsolved to this day."
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• The Mysterious Disappearance Of The Russian Crown Jewels - "Tracking the Story of the Russian Crown Jewels."
• Treasury of National Jewels - "The background of National Jewels of Iran dates back to Safavid era in which it was decided that national jewels belong to National Treasury of government,i.e., apart from the personal properties of the sovereign. The valuable collections of this museum comprises of the pink colored diamond of Darya-ye-Noor (182 Carats), the Peacock Throne or Takhte ..."