Royal Jewels: The History and Significance of the Crown Jewels of Various Monarchies - Stories That Would Make Your Grandma's Pearls Jealous

Let’s be honest: we’ve all secretly tried on a towel as a cape and a fruit bowl as a crown at least once. But for monarchs throughout history, the royal jewelry wasn’t just about accessorizing—it was a heavy (literally, some crowns weigh pounds!), glittering symbol of power, faith, and political savvy. From diamonds the size of golf balls with seriously dramatic backstories to crowns that have witnessed coronations and revolutions, these collections are more than just pretty sparkles. They’re the original power pieces, and their stories are more dramatic than any reality TV show. So, let’s take a peek into the vaults and uncover the fascinating tales behind the world’s most famous royal collections.

The British Crown Jewels: Survivors, Thieves, and a Mountain of Light

Housed in the Tower of London under armed guard (because, obviously), the British Crown Jewels are the rock stars of the royal jewelry world. This working collection, still used for events like the State Opening of Parliament, has seen it all: destruction, theft, and enough drama to fill a Shakespearean play.

The story begins almost from scratch. Back in 1649, after the English Civil War, King Charles I was executed and the original medieval regalia was mercilessly melted down by parliamentarians. They were basically trying to cancel the monarchy forever. Talk about a bad day for bling. Thankfully, one plucky survivor, the 12th-century Coronation Spoon, was bought by a man named Clement Kynnersley and returned when the monarchy was restored in 1660. Most of the stunning collection we see today was created for the coronation of Charles II in 1661.

The Crowns That Do the Heavy Lifting

At the heart of the collection are the crowns, each with a specific job and a jaw-dropping number of gemstones.

St Edward’s Crown is the main event, used only at the moment of crowning during the coronation ceremony. This solid gold frame weighs a neck-straining 2.23kg (nearly 5lbs)! It’s adorned with over 400 precious stones, including sapphires, tourmalines, and amethysts. King Charles III was the most recent monarch to feel its weight in 2023.

The Imperial State Crown is the one you’ve probably seen the monarch wearing as they leave Westminster Abbey. It’s a relative lightweight at just over 1kg, but it packs a serious punch with 2,868 diamonds, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds, and 269 pearls. It’s essentially a wearable museum, featuring some of the most famous jewels in the world:

• The Cullinan II Diamond: The second largest stone cut from the Cullinan Diamond, the largest gem-quality rough diamond ever found.
• The Black Prince’s Ruby: Which is actually a spinel! This red stone has been in the collection since the 14th century.
• The Stuart Sapphire: A deep-blue sapphire with a history of being smuggled out of England and back again.

The Infamous Stones: Koh-i-Noor and Cullinan

No discussion of the British Crown Jewels is complete without the controversial gems. The Koh-i-Noor diamond, whose name means “Mountain of Light,” has a turbulent history of conquest, passing through the hands of Mughal emperors, Shahs of Iran, and Sikh maharajas before being presented to Queen Victoria. It now rests in the Crown of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, and let’s just say, several countries would like it back.

Then there’s the Cullinan Diamond. Discovered in South Africa in 1905, the original stone was a staggering 3,106 carats. It was cut into nine major stones and 96 smaller brilliants. The two largest, Cullinan I and II, are set in the Sovereign’s Sceptre and the Imperial State Crown, respectively. The Cullinan I, at 530.2 carats, is the largest colorless cut diamond in the world. Now that’s a statement piece! If you’re feeling inspired by such legendary stones, explore our own Diamond Jewelry collection for something slightly more portable.

The French Crown Jewels: A Tale of Revolution and Tiffany’s Red Boxes

Once the most splendid collection in Europe, the French Crown Jewels were the passion project of Louis XIV, the “Sun King,” who used them to showcase his absolute power. The collection included legendary stones like the Hope Diamond (which started as the French Blue diamond) and the Regent Diamond.

But then came the French Revolution. The monarchy fell, and in a radical move to cement the republic’s power, the majority of the crown jewels were sold off at auction. In a delicious twist of history, many were bought by one man: Charles Tiffany. He used these royal treasures to market his company, placing them in those now-iconic little blue boxes. Today, only a small portion of the original collection is held in the Louvre, a glittering ghost of royal past.

The Romanov Treasures: Imperial Splendor and Fabergé Eggs

The jewellery collection of Russia’s Romanov dynasty was one of the most extravagant in history. They loved opulent tiaras, necklaces dripping with gemstones, and, most famously, the jewelled eggs created by Carl Fabergé.

The Imperial Crown of Russia, created for Catherine the Great in 1762, is a masterpiece featuring thousands of diamonds and a massive red spinel. The Romanovs’ love for colored gemstones was unparalleled, with emeralds and sapphires featuring prominently. The Fabergé eggs, commissioned as Easter gifts, are the ultimate symbol of their doomed opulence. Sadly, the Russian Revolution led to the dynasty’s end, and many of their jewels were sold or lost to history.

Royal Jewels in the Modern Age: From Coronations to Red Carpets

Today, royal families continue to use and preserve their historic collections. The British Royal Family, in particular, has mastered the art of blending tradition with modern spectacle. Pieces like the Cambridge Lover’s Knot Tiara, frequently worn by the late Princess Diana and now by Catherine, Princess of Wales, connect generations of royals. Queen Elizabeth II was known for her personal collection, often loaning tiaras for royal weddings, making these historic pieces feel surprisingly contemporary.

The magic of royal jewels is that they continue to captivate us. They’re not just relics behind glass; they’re worn, seen, and written about. They inspire designers and jewelry lovers alike, proving that a piece of jewelry can be so much more than an adornment—it can be a piece of history you can (almost) touch.

Find Your Own Royal Sparkle at Robinson’s Jewelers

While we can’t offer you the Koh-i-Noor diamond (we wish!), you can absolutely find jewelry fit for modern royalty right here. Whether you’re drawn to the deep blue of a sapphire that rivals the Stuart Sapphire, the fiery passion of a ruby, or the timeless elegance of a pearl necklace, we have pieces that will make you feel like the leading lady in your own story. Explore our curated collections from world-renowned designers like Oscar Heyman and Bvlgari, or find the perfect engagement ring to start your own dynasty. Your reign begins now!