Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, courtesy: picselect.com

When? This Summer!

Where? London Buckingham Palace

Diamonds, A Jubilee Celebration

at the Queen's Gallery, Buckingham Palace, London.

If you are in London this Summer, the Olympics are not the only attraction in town.

In fact, several great attractions, for my taste, are far more exciting and dazzling. More on that with more posts on fabulous exhibitions about jewels, fashion, and glamour, this Summer in London later.

This is about Diamonds, a Jubilee Celebration

In the Summer, when Queen Elizabeth II and her family are traveling to her Scottish Estate, Balmoral, the State Rooms at Buckingham Palace open for visitors. The curatorial staff at Buckingham Palace is preparing a special exhibition every year, in the Queen's Gallery.

This year, a special treat, with reference to the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations, has been created to commemorate the reign of her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.

The exhibition, Diamonds, a Jubilee Celebration, shows selected diamond objects, some with historical significance, some of royal history, and some, with more personal relevance to the royal family, have been lent from Queen Elizabeth’s private collection.

Curator, Caroline de Guitant, is presenting some of the pieces of this exhibition in a video, and in photos on the website: www.royalcollections.org. Don’t miss it.

photo credit: The Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara, photographer unkown

Among the beautiful and privately meaningful pieces of this exhibition is, the famous Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara, a gift of Queen Mary. This tiara is well loved and often worn at State occasions. It is one of the favorite tiaras of Queen Elizabeth II.

The soft swirls, rounded, almost baroque shapes are very playful, accented with a round diamond each. The proportions are well balanced and it is not too high. I remember seeing a photo of the young Queen Elizabeth II, just after she became Queen, wearing this tiara. Just beautiful, so elegant and serene.

Exhibit: Diamonds, A Jubilee Celebration, London.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, courtesy: picselect.com

Since it is the Diamond Jubilee, one of the most significant pieces created from one of the biggest diamond ever found has to be included, the Cullinan diamond. These jewels, cut from the Cullinan diamond, were presented as a gift to the royal family.

The 2 biggest and most significant pieces cut from the Cullinan diamond, is the Cullinan V, part of the Cullinan jewels, it is set as a fabulous brooch. Her Majesty wore the Cullinan V brooch for the National Service of Thanksgiving at the Diamond Jubilee celebrations in June 2012. A very large square cut diamond with a large tear drop attached. So spectacular in its purity of shape, timeless, at the same time very modern with an almost invisible mounting in White gold.

The Cullinan VI + VIII brooch is also featured in the exhibition.

Queen Elizabeth II wears this brooch often. It is much smaller than the Cullinan V, created in Art Nouveau style, a large square cut diamond at the center, a large round diamond at the top, surrounded by smaller diamonds as sparkles, leaf motives and a scroll on either side, with a large oval detachable diamond pendant. A stunning piece.

Cuiiinan Brooch+ Pendant, Garrard &Co. Ltd., 1911 Photo credit: The Royal Collection (c) 2012,

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, courtesy: picselect.com

This is one of my favorite photos of Queen Elizabeth II looking gorgeous in this blossoms hat and a stylish coat in mint. This is the large Cullinan pin. She looks so beautiful in this early 60s style dress and coat.

Also part of the jewels with elements of the Cullinan diamond is the Cambridge Emerald necklace. Large Emerald cabochons are set in 2 strings of diamonds, with a large detachable pendant, an Emerald, and a facetted diamond, cut from the Cullinan diamond.

Further, the Williamson flower brooch, with one of the largest pink diamonds ever found, at the center. The leaves and the stem are very graceful beautifully curved, a very feminine piece. Queen Elizabeth II wears it often.

Of royal significance is Queen Victoria’s diamond fringe brooch. A fringe of diamonds descends from a large central diamond, surrounded by smaller diamonds. I have not seen Queen Elizabeth II wear it much. Just a few times lately. This brooch was passed down through the family.

A piece with important historical significance is the George IV state Diadem. An important piece in English history, commissioned for the coronation of King George IV, it is set with a very large yellow diamond, and with floral elements, a rose, a thistle, and two shamrocks, with reference to England, Scotland and Ireland. Queen Elizabeth II wears this crown at State Opening of Parliament ceremonies each year, it is often worn for official portraits, and shown on banknotes and postage stamps.

This photo shows Queen Victoria wearing the state Diadem in this painting by Winterhalter.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, portrait by Winterhalte, courtesy: picselect.com

Another historically significant piece on display is Queen Victoria’s small crown. She wore this crown often for portraits, and state occasions. Most often seen set with a veil.

At last, the Delhi Durbar Tiara, a historically significant piece made for Queen Mary for the celebration of the Delhi Durbar in India in 1911. This is a very large tiara, with significant height. Queen Mary wore this tiara in portraits and pictures, often with a full regalia of jewels. I have not seen Queen Elizabeth II wear it.

One of the pieces with personal significance in the history of this royal family, is the Kokoshnik fringe tiara, created in the Russian style. A gift from Queen Mary, it is a 19th Century piece, made for Alexandra, Princess of Wales.

I understand, Queen Elizabeth II is particularly fond of wearing the Kokoshnik fringe tiara. This is the tiara she chose to wear on her wedding day, this tiara was then lent from mother to daughter, Princess Anne, The Princess Royal, to wear on her wedding.

Queen Elizabeth II has worn it often since, so it is a personal favorite. Mostly in the years 1974 and the early 1980s. It was a perfect choice for the times then, the straight lines, the dazzle of the pavé setting, timeless and modern. It is a beautiful tiara, perfect proportions, the spires set next to each other, add a glow of halo, as it sparkles with all those diamonds.

Ah,... too much detail for me to add here. The exhibition is so spectacular. In addition to seeing this fabulous exhibition at the Queen’s Gallery, you can also tour some of the State Apartments.

Make sure you get a chance to see this exhibit, it is a once in a lifetime chance, a piece of British history, an important part of the Diamond Jubilee of this monarch, and possibly, the most impressive record of any Monarch for Royal history and Diamond Splendour.

Don’t miss it, if you are in London this Summer…

I am planning to be there.

Mark your calendar. Dates June 30. - August 07. 2012July 31st- Oct 7th, 2012

Can’t wait to see it.

Enjoy,

Jasmin

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, courtesy: picselect.com Photo credit: Reginald Davies/REX USA pictures

more information, preview photos, book tickets, visit the website www.royalcollection.org.uk

Many Thanks towww.picselect.com for their courtesy to provide the photos used in this post.

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