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Sparkling Royal Jewels From Around the World

Jewels in Motion: The Bohemian Crown Jewels

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DAVID NEFF/AFP/Getty Images
Time for another look at the crown jewels of the world in glittering motion! Today, we’re marveling at the medieval crown jewels of Bohemia, which is now part of the Czech Republic.

The Bohemian crown jewel set includes several objects, but today we’re focusing on three in particular: the Crown of St. Wenceslas, the royal orb, and the royal scepter.
All three objects date to the 14th century. They were first used in the coronation ceremony of King Charles IV of Bohemia, who reigned from 1346 until his death in 1378. Made of 18-carat gold, the orb features scenes from the Old Testament carved in relief on its surface. The orb is also set with numerous gems, including sapphires, spinels, and pearls.
The scepter is also made of 18-carat gold, and like the orb, it is also encrusted with sapphires, spinels, and pearls.
The intricate top of the scepter is set with an especially large spinel. The scepter, orb, and crown all reside in a special room in the St. Vitus Cathedral, part of the Prague Castle complex. The door to the chamber is secured with seven locks; the keys to the locks are distributed to seven different holders, so that no one person can access the jewel room alone.
Here’s a close-up view of the sides of the Crown of St. Wenceslaus, which is decorated with sapphires and spinels to match the orb and the scepter.
The view of the arches shows that emeralds and pearls are also set in the crown, along with rubies and a single aquamarine.
The crown features four distinctive fleur-de-lis elements and a central cross, which is said to contain a relic of Jesus’s crown of thorns. The crown jewels are not on permanent display; in fact, they’re only shown publicly on special occasions on the order of the President of the Czech Republic. They were displayed only nine times during the 20th century, but they have been brought out for public viewing four times since 2000.

Jewels in Motion: The Crown of Scotland

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Ian Stewart/AFP/Getty Images
Our look at the glittering details of various crown jewels continues today with a close-up view of one of the most historic crowns in Britain: the Crown of Scotland.

The crown is displayed with the Honours of Scotland in the Crown Room at Edinburgh Castle. It shares a display case with three other very important Scottish objects: the Sceptre of Scotland, the Sword of State, and the Stone of Scone. That stone, also known as the “Stone of Destiny,” resided in Westminster Abbey until 1996. The stone is used in the coronation of British monarchs, and it will be returned to the Abbey for the next coronation, whenever that may be.
The crown and the other Honours of Scotland have been successfully hidden multiple times to prevent them from being stolen or destroyed. They have survived both Cromwell and World War II, so it should come as no surprise that they’re the oldest surviving set of crown jewels in Britain.
The current crown was made in 1540 for King James V of Scotland, father of Mary, Queen of Scots. Gold from a previous version of the crown was melted down and reused for the construction of this crown, and some of the gems from the earlier version were also recycled.
The crown is usually displayed with a red velvet cap; its arches, which meet at a monde and cross, are more visible with the cap removed.
Gemstones set in the crown include Scottish freshwater pearls, garnets, and amethysts.
The Crown of Scotland is not generally worn today, but it is brought out of its display for important Scottish events, including the opening of parliament. You can read much more about the crown in our recent article over here!

Jewels in Motion: The Imperial State Crown

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LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images
On Sundays this September, we’re going to be marveling at some of the most important royal jewels in the world: crown jewels! First up: one of the most recognizable crowns in the world. Enjoy these images of the Imperial State Crown, glittering in motion!

The current version of the Imperial State Crown dates to 1937, when jewelers overhauled and repaired the version that had been made for Queen Victoria in 1838. The crown was adjusted further in 1953 for its current wearer, Queen Elizabeth II.
English and Scottish monarchs have been wearing various crowns for centuries, but the first version of the Imperial State Crown we’re familiar with was made in 1660 for King Charles II after the Restoration. It’s been made and remade nearly a dozen times since then.
The crown is topped by a pair of crossed arches that meet at a monde and a cross pattée. The monde, which is the diamond encrusted ball, symbolizes the world ruled by the monarch. The top cross pattée  on this crown has St. Edward’s Sapphire set in its center. That sapphire is said to have been set in the coronation ring of King Edward the Confessor, which means that it would have been in the English royal collection since at least 1042. 
Three of the pearls that are suspended from the base of the monde are said to have belonged to Queen Elizabeth I. She was a famous collector and wearer of pearls, and they feature heavily in her portraits.
The most important gem set in the crown is perhaps the Cullinan II Diamond, part of the great Cullinan stone that was unearthed in South Africa at the beginning of the 20th century. Often called the “Lesser Star of Africa,” this diamond alone weighs 317 carats.
Situated above the Cullinan II in another cross pattée is the Black Prince’s Ruby. Actually a spinel, this cabochon gemstone has been in the English royal collection since 1367, when it was given to Edward, Prince of Wales ( who was nicknamed “the Black Prince”) by King Peter of Castile.
The Stuart Sapphire is set at the back of the crown; it was placed below the Black Prince’s Ruby until the Cullinan was set in the crown. This 104-carat sapphire was may be one taken by King James II when he fled the country after the Glorious Revolution in 1688. An agent for King George IV later purchased the sapphire from a broker, who claimed it belonged to one of James’s descendants, Cardinal York.
Although the Imperial State Crown is not actually used to crown Britain’s monarch — that’s the job of St. Edward’s Crown — this crown is probably more visible and familiar, as it is worn by the monarch at the annual state opening of parliament. When it’s not being used, the crown resides with the rest of the British crown jewel collection in the Jewel House at the Tower of London.