The George VI Sapphires were undoubtedly among Queen Elizabeth II’s most incredible jewels. The demi-parure, which consists of a Victorian-era necklace and earrings was one of the late monarch’s most valuable and sentimental suites from her magnificent collection.
Not only is the jewellery suite worth millions of pounds, it’s also packed with meaning, as it was in fact a wedding gift from her father in 1947.
Queen Elizabeth famously wore the suite for her official Canadian royal portrait in 2020. In 1990, the Queen took the whole suite with her for a royal tour of Canada – making it a particularly meaningful choice for the portrait.
Taking a close look and casting an expert eye over the gems, Steven’s Stone’s Creative Director, Maxwell Stone, has revealed all of the details.
Presented to Queen Elizabeth II by her Father on her wedding day in 1947, the King George VI Victorian Suite undoubtedly stood out as one of the late monarch’s most cherished sets of jewels.
The sapphire and diamond cluster line necklace originally featured 18 sapphires, sat on a gradient, ranging from 8 to 30cts.
A few years after she received it, Queen Elizabeth refashioned the necklace, shortening it and removing the largest sapphire stone to turn into a pendant. Sometime during the ’60s, she also commissioned a matching bracelet to accompany the set.
Also featuring a pair of sapphire earrings that look to be 15ct, the King George VI Victorian Suite is likely to be worth £5,000,000.
“The incredible sapphire and diamond cluster line necklace originally featured 18 sapphires, sat on a gradient, ranging from 8 to 30cts, before it was redesigned in 1952. These huge sapphires are surrounded by a halo of diamonds, and linked together by additional single stone diamonds, which are between 0.8ct and 1.5ct.
Maxwell Stone, creative director, steven stone
When Queen Elizabeth altered the necklace, she removed four of the sapphire clusters from the back and remodelled and reset one of larger stones from the front, to create a beautiful pendant for the necklace.
When it comes to the beautiful pair of sapphire earrings, the sapphires look to be around 15ct, with a value in excess of £250,000 to £300,000. The bracelet is probably worth around £500,000 to £600,000.”
Where is are they now?
Queen Camilla has worn the suite and she famously wore it to King Charles’ first state banquet – an evening which also marked the first official state visit hosted by the UK since he became monarch.
The Queen wore it again while supporting her husband at the Diplomatic Reception at Buckingham Palace in December 2022 and has since worn it during a state dinner at the Palace of Versailles in September 2023.
The suite was replicated for Queen Camilla’s waxwork statue at Madame Tussauds, which was unveiled ahead of the King’s coronation.
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