Subject to a turbulent history and much thievery, the
British Crown Jewels represent the regalia and vestments worn by the king or
queen of the United Kingdom
during a coronation ceremony and other state functions. In all, the collection
includes crowns, orbs, swords, scepters, and other regalia. Gold and silver
plate was refashioned in 1661 after parliament had ordered the original gold
and precious metals to be melted down for coinage in 1649.
By British Law, the originals of the crown jewels and
implements of the State cannot leave England
and are displayed in the Tower
of London. Many of the
objects descend directly from the pre-Reformation period and hold religious and
sacral connotation. For instance, the vestures worn by sovereign following the
unction, a ceremonial ritual, resembles the alb and dalmatic worn by bishops.
Crowns
Some of the crowns contained within the Crown Jewel
collection are used by every sovereign, while others were created specifically
for a particular sovereign or for the Queen's Consort, or wife of a king.
Typically the crown of a king has a slightly pointed arched top, while that of
a queen has a slightly bowed top.
Considered by a number of British monarchs to be extremely
heavy and difficult to wear, St. Edward's Crown is worn during most of the
coronation ceremony. Made of gold, the crown includes 444 precious stones.
Queen Elizabeth II chose to wear a stylized representation of the crown in images
of the Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom.
Worn by monarchs at their coronation, the Imperial State
Crown was made in 1937 for King George VI. The crown is set with jewels of
great antiquity and historical significance. In all, the crown possesses 2,868
diamonds, 273 pearls, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds, and five rubies. The oldest
stone is Edward the Confessor's sapphire, believed to have been worn by him in
a ring and now mounted in the cross patee above the monde. An ancient spinel,
known as the Black Prince's Ruby is said to have been given to Edward by Pedro
the Cruel of Castile. The crown is worn after the conclusion of the coronation
ceremony when the monarch departs Westminster Abbey, and also at the annual
State Opening of Parliament.
The Imperial Crown of India was created when King George V
visited Delhi
as Emperor of India. As British law prohibits the removal of a Crown Jewel from
the country to prevent pawning, a new crown was made. One of the heaviest
crowns in the collection, the Imperial contains more than 6,000 diamonds.
Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother's Crown was made for her
coronation as queen consort in 1937. The graceful crown is set with diamonds,
dominated by the famous Koh-i-noor diamond. Once the largest known diamond in
the world, the Koh-i-noor is also referred to as the "Mountain of Light."
Originating in India,
the diamond belonged to various Indian and Persian rulers and has its share of
legends. Tradition says that its male owners will suffer misfortune and death, but
women who possess it will rule the world.
The Orb and Sceptres
Two scepters used by a sovereign for a part of the regalia.
The Sceptre with Cross was made in 1661. Surmounted by a cross, it was
redesigned in 1905 to incorporate the Great Star of Africa, the second largest
cut diamond in the world after The Golden Jubilee. The monarch bears the
Sceptre with the Cross in the right hand. Borne in the left hand, the Sceptre
with the Dove was also made in 1661. The dove atop the sceptre symbolizes the
Holy Ghost. As the sovereign holds both Sceptres, he or she is crowned with St.
Edward's Crown.
The Sovereign's Orb is a hollow golden sphere made in 1661.
A band of jewels runs across the center with a half-band of jewels running long
the top. Atop the orb is a jeweled cross representing the sovereign's role as
Defender of the Faith.
After they were stolen from Westminster Abbey, the Crown
Jewels have been kept at the Tower
of London since 1303. It
is believed that most, if not all, of the jewels were recovered not long after
being found in display window of a London
jeweler. During World War II, the jewels were taken out of the Tower and stored
somewhere in secret. Stories suggest they may have been kept in the basement
vaults of the Sun Life Insurance company in Montreal, Canada
or in the Round Tower of Windsor Castle. It is more probable that they were
housed at Windsor
Castle since by law the
Crown is not allowed to leave the country.
The absolute value of all the gold, silver, platinum,
diamonds, sapphires, rubies, emeralds and pearls in the royal collection make
it beyond comparison. Added to the fact that the crowns and other artifacts
have all been worn and used by kings and queens of England makes the collection
priceless.
While a majority of people will never wear such priceless
treasures, Pandora Jewelry has created a collection of bracelets and
complementary jewelry that make a woman feel like a queen. Handcrafted from 14K
gold and sterling silver, each Pandora bracelet tells personal stories with the
use of charms along with Murano glass beads and semi-precious stones. Pandora
bracelets mark special occasions commemorated with charms and birthstones set
in a design totally unlike another.
Lewis Jewelers is proud to carry
the full line of Pandora Jewelry. Pandora bracelets, Pandora charms and
Pandora beads are only a part of the collection. For more
information, contact Lewis Jewelers, 2000 West Stadium Blvd., Ann Arbor,
Michigan, 48103, 877-88-LEWIS or visit http://www.pandorabraceletsusa.com.
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