Duchess of Cornwall Jewellery 6: February 2008-

[muriel]

The choker looked lovely on Camilla. I suspect it was a recent purchase, as Camilla does not appear to have worn it to a public outing. Given that in the initial 6-12 months of being married she had access to a lot less jewellery than now, I would have thought she would have used it. In those days, she relied quite heavily on the 2 pearl chokers she had prior to her wedding

[MARG]

Originally Posted by Boris

. . . . Converting it into a choker took time too. Price tag back in June 2000 for the brooch and earrings: 22,925 British Pounds.

The PoW certainly has an eye for jewelry and knows what suits Camilla. Turning it into a semi formal suite was a masterstroke.

[Madame Royale]

why should it have changed owners since.

Don't recall insinuating it did.

Thank you for providing the information. At a price tag of 22,925 GBP, I think it's safe to say there was a long standing intent that Camilla would someday be his wife.

Though, converting it into a necklace wouldn't have taken so long if the pearls were already in possession of either the recipient or the purchaser. Perhaps it took time to aquire the desired pearls so as to create the choker?

[muriel]

8 years to create a choker? Does not sound reasonable! I think thisis porobably something Camilla has only just recently acquired

[Madame Royale]

Does not sound reasonable

When aquiring pearls, you would be surprised just how long some wish to wait so as to guarantee shape, size and luster. I have no clue as to whether or not that is the case with this item of jewellery, so thought I'd put forth my question in the hope someone may infact know.

[MARG]

Originally Posted by Madame Royale

When aquiring pearls, you would be surprised just how long some wish to wait so as to guarantee shape, size and luster.

Having spend almost 23 thousand pounds on the 'Centrepiece', what's a few years to make it perfect. And on closer inspection those pearls are, if not perfect, to die for.

[Madame Royale]

Musn't forget the earrings...

Have we seen Camilla wear the earrings before? I have a feeling we may have, but I am perhaps confusing them with amethysts. A little hazy is my recollection.

[andrew]

Yes, we have!
During the Middle East tour. I'm not sure in which country...Or was it Pakistan? Anyway....here's the photo

http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/a...rringsrose.jpg

[muriel]

Originally Posted by Madame Royale

When aquiring pearls, you would be surprised just how long some wish to wait so as to guarantee shape, size and luster. I have no clue as to whether or not that is the case with this item of jewellery, so thought I'd put forth my question in the hope someone may infact know.

I agree finding the right pearls can sometimes take time, but when you have access to the worlds best jewellers, it really does not take very long.

It may well be that the brooch was acquired by the QM, or by somebody for the QM and not used by her in her lifetime. As the Queen slowly parts with more of QMs jewels and hands them to Camilla, it may be that this was a recently given to Camilla to use.

[Madame Royale]

but when you have access to the worlds best jewellers, it really does not take very long.

It is only when you wait, can you then be assured it is of the best craftmanship and finnest materials. Even the world's well renowned jewellers have to, from time to time, wait if they are to deliver on quality.

Though no expert in jewellery as such, I do possess a great interest in the industry and spend far too much money on acquiring the pieces I have (I recall having had my telephone and electricity cut off once because I couldn't afford to pay the bills, given the money I had forked out for a bracelet, also by Makers Mark...though that was some time ago now). At the moment I'm awaiting the arrival of a ring I had commissioned by Makers Mark, recently.

It's an 18ct White Gold Stamen Design Tahitian South Sea Pearl Ring with Round Brilliant Cut Diamonds. As I don't wear yellow gold, I've had the band cast in white gold.

Actually, here's the Makers Mark link and the particular ring I'm talking of.

It may well be that the brooch was acquired by the QM, or by somebody for the QM and not used by her in her lifetime. As the Queen slowly parts with more of QMs jewels and hands them to Camilla, it may be that this was a recently given to Camilla to use.

Anything is likely. I assumed it was brought for Camilla by Charles, but it could be just as likely that it was bought for the late Queen Mother, I suppose.

[jcbcode99]

Madame Royale is correct--I have had several specially commissioned pieces made (I believe in giving myself a birthday gift!) and it does take time, and I do have an exceptional jeweler, but finding perfectly matched pieces takes awhile.
Madame Royale--wonderful website--your ring is going to be gorgeous (and look so much better in the white metal)

[mrsbugman]

Yes beautiful rings. I am jealous!

[muriel]

Originally Posted by Madame Royale

...here's the Makers Mark link and the particular ring I'm talking of.

Lovely ring, Madame Royal. You are very fortunate to be able to have jewellery commissionned specifically to your taste and size.

Surely though, with your extensive experience in these matters, if a jeweller told you to wait 8 years for a 5 string pearl necklace, you may find that a bit long. Do not get me wrong - I accept that for some things you have to wait for jewellers to be able to find matching pieces, especially if you want various precious stones matched up. But I am not sure a 5 string pearl necklace falls in that category. They look like good quality pearls, but they certainly don't come across as anything exceptional. The whole chokerput together is certainly exceptional, but that is largely down to the brooch they started with!

[Madame Royale]

You are very fortunate to be able to have jewellery commissionned specifically to your taste and size.

Fortunate or foolish...haha...nieces and nephews will no doubt tend to me in my latter years!

Surely though, with your extensive experience in these matters, if a jeweller told you to wait 8 years for a 5 string pearl necklace, you may find that a bit long. Do not get me wrong - I accept that for some things you have to wait for jewellers to be able to find matching pieces, especially if you want various precious stones matched up. But I am not sure a 5 string pearl necklace falls in that category. They look like good quality pearls, but they certainly don't come across as anything exceptional. The whole chokerput together is certainly exceptional, but that is largely down to the brooch they started with!

8 years would be a very very long time to wait, and I don't necessarily think that the case with this particular choker. On the chance the pearls were specifically acquired on commission then there's no doubt there would have been an expected wait of some considerable time, but 8 years would be, in my estimation, incredibly unlikely. If the centrepiece was bought for 23,000 GBP, there's not a chance they are going to be fitted with an ordinary selection of pearls. A true insult to not only the wearer, but the piece itself.

We know when it was purchased, but we dont know when the strands were added. It could have been any time between the date of purchase and the Phillips wedding. And we aren't aware if the pearls were already privately owned by the now wearer, or indeed by the Prince of Wales.

I'd be interested to learn of their current market value.

Madame Royale is correct--I have had several specially commissioned pieces made (I believe in giving myself a birthday gift!) and it does take time, and I do have an exceptional jeweler, but finding perfectly matched pieces takes awhile.

Madame Royale--wonderful website--your ring is going to be gorgeous (and look so much better in the white metal)

I think we've established the American version of moi..hehe. Good work, jcbcode99!

[msleiman]

What do you think will happen to most of Camilla's jewellery? Do you think that most will go the William or Camilla's daughter? I not sure if most of it has to go to William. The DOC sure does have some beautiful jewellery!!!!

[MARG]

Originally Posted by Madame Royale

We know when it was purchased, but we dont know when the strands were added. It could have been any time between the date of purchase and the Phillips wedding. And we aren't aware if the pearls were already privately owned by the now wearer, or indeed by the Prince of Wales.

Given the time lapse and the age and style of the centrepiece I believe it gives credence to the notion that it was purchased on behalf of the Queen Mother and made it's way to Camilla via the Queen and Prince Charles.

[Madame Royale]

What do you think will happen to most of Camilla's jewellery? Do you think that most will go the William or Camilla's daughter? I not sure if most of it has to go to William. The DOC sure does have some beautiful jewellery!!!!

Any personal jewellery belonging to the Duchess would, I'd assume, be devided between her blood children. Tom and Laura.

Perhaps a little something left for William or Harry, but as they stand to inherit their own mothers private collection of jewels, not tot to mention, in the case of William, the entire royal vault, I don't think that particularly likely.

Given the time lapse and the age and style of the centrepiece I believe it gives credence to the notion that it was purchased on behalf of the Queen Mother and made it's way to Camilla via the Queen and Prince Charles.

That would see the more likely scenario. Though I have a feeling the pearls were added after the Queen Mother's time. Chokers weren't really her thing.

[MARG]

Originally Posted by msleiman

What do you think will happen to most of Camilla's jewellery? Do you think that most will go the William or Camilla's daughter? I not sure if most of it has to go to William. The DOC sure does have some beautiful jewellery!!!!

Anything with Royal provenance will remain within the BRF, most probably going to William or Harry (or horror of horror) back to the vaults!
Personal gifts like her new choker are hers to dispose of as she wishes.

[Menarue]

Madame Royal that ring is gorgeous. I am sure that nieces and nephews on seeing it will be at your beck and call for a long time to come.
I believe that Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother left a great part of her private jewellery to Prince Charles and no doubt it will be appearing on Camilla. Her engagement ring came from Queen Elizabeth and I should imagine most of her jewellery has too. I remember she wore the same pearl necklace before she was married and a diamond necklace which was said to be from her family for evening formal wear. The magnificent, enormous tiara she has worn recently may belong to the Queen´s coffers, perhaps someone will tell me.
I am sure that her great-grandmother managed to collect some lovely jewellery when she was Edward VII´s mistress, she only had two daughters to inherit so some of the pieces have probably found their way to Camilla.

[branchg]

Originally Posted by Menarue

I believe that Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother left a great part of her private jewellery to Prince Charles and no doubt it will be appearing on Camilla. Her engagement ring came from Queen Elizabeth and I should imagine most of her jewellery has too. I remember she wore the same pearl necklace before she was married and a diamond necklace which was said to be from her family for evening formal wear. The magnificent, enormous tiara she has worn recently may belong to the Queen´s coffers, perhaps someone will tell me.
I am sure that her great-grandmother managed to collect some lovely jewellery when she was Edward VII´s mistress, she only had two daughters to inherit so some of the pieces have probably found their way to Camilla.

The Queen Mother left all of her private jewels to The Queen in a sovereign-to-sovereign transfer to avoid estate duty. The pieces she used as Queen Consort in right of the Crown (Queen Alexandra's ruby parure, pearl & diamond parure, the George III Fringe Tiara, the Oriental Circlet, several bracelets and brooches) were all returned to The Queen. She has since worn several of the pieces, notably the ruby parure and the Oriental Circlet.

The remainder of her jewels were mostly a bequest from her very wealthy friend, Mrs. Greville. The Boucheron Honeycomb Tiara was modified with diamond arches on the top by Cartier in 1949, with stones from Queen Mary. Queen Mary also gave her the Delhi Durbar diadem, which she wore once on a state visit to South Africa, and then never again.

Camilla has obviously been given these jewels by The Queen for her use. But The Queen Mother didn't leave them to Prince Charles.