Jewellery Disputes and Thefts

[fee]

I agree with Thomas Parkman, however the Poltimore IMO is a good example of jewelery that was bought specifically for the younger daughter for her personal ownership and thus went over to her heirs instead of back to the crown so that indeed a "crown" piece would not be lost forever.(even if it does not belong to the crown jewels or the trust)
I liked the Poltimore too, but it was not a family heirloom and obviously the family thought so too and was able to part from it. The more valuable piece in terms of family heritage and personal value would be the lotus flower tiara, which came from the Queen mother and which Countess Linley wore for her wedding. And that at least still now was kept.

IMO, I could imagine some problems with inheriting valuables not only jewels but paintings, antiques, furniture, mementos etc. But then doesn't that to some extent apply to all families simply in different dimensions?

Little Star, the indian claim is quite interesting, as it falls into line with the demand of so many countries to give back valuable cultural heritages, such as egyptian art that has been requested back to Cairo from Berlin and London and Paris, so far it has not been returned. There is a lot of art and artifacts out there that should come home to their country or people, however it is still in the possession of the country or people that once bought it or excavated it or simply looted it in wars.

[candygirl_68]

was just my opinion... Britain has enough jewels...

[Thomas Parkman]

No, no, dear Lady, Britain does not have enough jewels. Nobody, even Imperial Russia, had enough jewels. The more jewels the merrier. Besides a major complaint, albeit a trivial one, is that Queen Elizabeth wears only a small number of the tiaras and other wondrous and toothsome objects in her most royal possession and leaves other delights just shut away in the cold, dark, dank and dreary vaults which are supposedly under Buckingham Palace. If some kind soul would send me the directions I would fly over to Londan and rent a room on the ground floor near the Palace and buy a shovel on the order of the Red Haired League of Conan Doyle and dig away. After all what she does not use she could not possibly miss. And I could then post pictures of these unloved goodies on the RF. But nobody ever has enough jewels. And diamonds are everybody's best friend. Cheers.

[Prince of Chota]

Art treasures, and similarly jewels, are some of the best ambassadors a country has. The Anglo-Indian jewels were GIVEN to the British royal family, and accordingly there is no need to return them. Besides, at least someone is wearing them. If they were returned, they'd just be gathering dust in some Delhi museum, like the Napoleonic jewels in the Smithsonian in the United States.

[neha1222]

It is sad that I have to say this, but I would think that it should have been understood and done long time ago! Most of the British and Persian Jewels are stolen diamonds and goods from india and its temples (for ex: Darya-e-noor, kohinoor, the hope diamond, etc), I and many indians personally feel that it should be returned. < ed Warren >