Queen Elizabeth II's brooches

[GillW]

Hi everyone - I'm pretty new here today, but I wonder if I can ask a question? I've been studying the brooches of Q Elizabeth II and some time ago I stumbled across a picture - somewhere on the net - of the Queen wearing her Cullinan II & III brooch -the one she knows as Granny's Chips. Now I don't mean the Karsh of Ottowa portraits - this was an engagement, and in the photo she was not only wearing the brooch on her outfit, but she was studying a display of her cifer "E II R" sll set out in loose diamonds on a table-top.

Of course, I didn't make any notes at the time as I was searching for something else - if only I could remember & repeat the search!!

Does anyone here know when or where that might be? She was not "young" so I'd say it was sometime during the last 20 years at the most. She very rarely wears this brooch on public occasions, so I would dearly love to find the photo again!

I'd really appreciate any help. Many thanks.

[Elspeth]

You could have a look at this thread:

Queen Elizabeth II's brooches

and this website:

Royal Magazin - Schmuck Journal
Die Cullinan Broschen der englischen Queen | Cullinan Diamonds

We also have some threads for Queen Elizabeth's jewellery in general. Otherwise your best bet is to wait till Warren comes along, who will probably know what you're looking for and where to find it.

[GillW]

Thanks for the links on the Cullinan brooches. I have managed to find a printed picture of the Queen wearing Granny's Chips - it was in the book by Sheila Young about the Queen's jewellery, but is an old b&w picture - so earlier than I thought.

I've been interested to read through this thread as I've been compiling a catalogue of the Queens brooches for several months. I DO have over 100 in my list, plus an additional 18 "insignia" type that she wears when visiting regiments etc. I am trying to find out as much as I can about each one, building the information bit by bit.

[Warren]

Granny's Chips
Cullinan IV (upper) - 63.6 carats
Cullinan III (lower) - 94.4 carats

Granny's Chips
~~

[EmpressRouge]

"Granny's Chips" is QEII's most expensive piece of personal jewelry. The Cullinan I and II are part of the Crown Jewels.

[GillW]

Here's a new one to me - does anyone have any ideas or information on the brooch the Queen was wearing in London today - it's definately NOT the enamelled rose oval which used to belong to the Queen Mother:

http://www.uppa.co.uk/imageset.jsp?i...958&cid=1&gid=

[GillW]

I think I've found out what this is! Looking at the website for Draper's Hall I came a cross a picture of "The Master's Jewel" and I'm sure this must be what the Queen's badge/brooch is based on, although slightly fancier (of course!)

Google Image Result for http://www.thedrapers.co.uk/Heritage/pictures/masters_jewel_lrg.jpg

[Elspeth]

Interesting. I don't recall seeing that brooch before, but perhaps someone else will have some more details. It does look like that Draper's Hall brooch, but it'd be nice to have a really good close-up.

[Thomas Parkman]

Well, good people, having discovered this thread rather late in the game, I must say it has provided excellent, indeed superb opportunities for drooling, foaming at the mouth, gasping in delight and other basic biological spasms to replace the delight I had before I gave up chocolate. Sigh.

Now could you kind and patient people, eduring and induging my many mental disorders kindly rummage around in your various vaults of goodies and haul out a picture of the Williamson pink diamond brooch with the Queen wearing the thing, and in color. None of the pictures I have seen of it are in the least satisfactory nor do they give any real hint of the actual dimensions of the thing. Further the colour appears to be quite delicate. I do know the pink diamond is supposed to be the largest pink diamond in the world at 23 carats, some hunk of rock indeed and in reality I do not doubt downright gorgeous. Cheers.

[Sister Morphine]

The brooch

(better picture of it -- go here: Royal Collection - Dress for the Occasion)

The Queen wearing the brooch That's the best shot of her wearing it I could find. The top two links show the brooch in greater detail, so you get an idea of its size.

[Thomas Parkman]

Thank you so much for indulging in my latest mental derangement. the thing is just magnificent, even if QEII looks like she is ready to summon the RackMaster from the Tower to deal with some miscreat or whatnot who has roused the royal ire. She is gorgeous in that blue suit with that wonderful brooch, even if the picture is not all that good. The woman does look like she is watching a royal beheading. Ha. cheers.

[GillW]

Hi Thomas,
I was lucky enough to see this wonderful pink stone at the summer exhibition at the Palace last year. I am thrilled to be able to report that I stood (no doubt open mouthed!) in front of it for several dazzling minutes and that the stone is truly pink - the kind of shade I would liken to a delicate pale sweet-pea. I'd always wondered just what colour it had as sometimes descriptions are vague or dubious, but this is every bit as beautiful as your mind can conjour.

[Thomas Parkman]

Dear GillW and Members,

Just as I suspected. Even with all the spasms, delight and dazzlement I have always believed that a photograph can not really even begin to communicate the beauty of so many of the wondrous gems and jewelry which the members and the Noble Warren and co have hauled out for our enraptured parusal. I can see where the Williamson pink would be incredibly beautiful. Another interesting thing is the Desiree Clary parure of Crown Princess Mary or the fabulous emerald tiara from the French royal jewels and on and on it goes. The photographs are but pale reflections of the reality.

The Delhi Durbar tiara when fully restored must be simply stunning. Cheers.

[GillW]

Seems there was a new brooch on the Queen's coat in Williamsburg (a big floral spray of various coloured stones, tied with a small gold bow) I don't suppose anyone has seen or read anything about it being a gift for the tour? Only, I have never seen her wear anything like it before so am assuming it it a new one....
http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r...lliamsburg.jpg

I've read that the day before she was presented with a black (or blue) onyx brooch based on one worn by Pocahontas, but I haven't been able to find any pictures of that one.

[jcbcode99]

Can anyone identify the brooch HM The Queen is wearing in these pictures posted by moderator Elspeth? I've not seen it before---
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip's state visit to the USA - May 3-8, 2007

[Elspeth]

Hi Janet - there's a discussion of this brooch starting on post 28 of this thread. Opinions are divided as to whether it's a beautiful heirloom or a dimestore trinket.

[GillW]

Originally Posted by Elspeth

Hi Janet - there's a discussion of this brooch starting on post 28 of this thread. Opinions are divided as to whether it's a beautiful heirloom or a dimestore trinket.

Hi Janet,

This brooch was orignally a gift from the Queen to her mother. It depicts a painitng of a Queen Elizabeth rose, painted on ivory, beneath rock crystal and surrounded by a diamond frame. It may not be to everyone's taste, but it is certainly not faux, nor cheap. The Queen seems to like it very much and has worn it on at least 13 public occasions since the Queen Mother died.

[jcbcode99]

Hmmmm....I could tell it was surrounded by diamonds, and I think it is must be a very sentimental piece as often as she has worn it, but I have to admit, I think it looks a little "cartoon-y". But, the sentiment makes up for it.