Queen Elizabeth II’s Aquamarine Cluster Brooch

As we prepare for the Commonwealth Day celebrations in London later this morning, let’s have a closer look at a gorgeous aquamarine brooch worn by the late Queen Elizabeth II for a Commonwealth event almost a decade ago.

The brooch is a lovely little bauble set with diamonds and a gorgeous blue aquamarine, the luminous birthstone beloved by those born in March. I’ve often referred to the piece as “modern” in design, largely because of the arrangement of the circular sections that make up the outside of the diamond cluster. But the floral sections between those circles and the aquamarine suggest to me that it’s possible the brooch is much older. I don’t believe we’ve ever learned anything specific about the piece’s provenance–it could equally have been a more recent gift to the Queen or a long-hidden piece from the royal vaults. I think one option is just as plausible as the other in this case.

The brooch caught the eyes of many royal jewelry lovers online at the end of November 2015. The late Queen Elizabeth II wore it as she arrived for the opening ceremony of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, held that year in Malta.

On that occasion, she paired the brooch with a light blue patterned jacket, worn over a vibrant coral-red dress. The accompanying light blue hat also featured coral-hued flowers. The blue of the gemstone coordinated almost perfectly with the light blue ensemble, but the diamond cluster section is substantial enough that the jewel was able to stand out against the jacket.

In May 2019, we saw the Queen bring out the brooch again, this time for an audience at Buckingham Palace. She wore the jewel as she presented the Queen’s Gold Medal for Poetry to the nation’s Poet Laureate, Simon Armitage.

On that occasion, the Queen pinned the brooch to a dress featuring a gray, green, and blue botanical print. In this case, the brooch did recede a bit against the strong visual pattern.

This is one of the jewels that we haven’t seen yet again in public following the late Queen’s death in 2022. But I wouldn’t be surprised if it pops up again on one of the Windsor women soon. It’s a lovely little jewel, small enough that it’s easy to wear but still beautiful with a fair bit of bejeweled pop. And who doesn’t love an aquamarine?

I’ll be back here later today with jewels worn for the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey. See you all here then!