Karly and I just returned from a fantastic vacation in London, England. After sightseeing, touring, shopping and exploring, my favorite part by far– was viewing all the fabulous jewels London has to offer! And what good timing we had, 2012 is Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee year, honoring the 60th anniversary of The Queen’s reign. Literally, diamonds honoring the Queen everywhere you look!
The first order of business in my British jewelry extravaganza was to visit the Tower of London and The Jewel House.
Waterloo Barracks: The Jewel Tower
Before entering the Jewel House, you can tell something spectacular is hidden deep within its walls. Several Beefeater and Keepers surround the tower. A Keeper of the Crown Jewels was appointed in 1207, and has been in place guarding the entrance of the Jewel House ever since.
Karly poses with a Coldstream Guard sentry outside the Jewel House
A Beefeater, the ceremonial guardians of the Tower of London, pauses for a photo with me
The Crown Jewels have been on display at the Tower of London since the 17th century. After moving locations several times, today they are housed in the Waterloo Barracks, which was built in the 19th century. Once inside the Tower you are ushered past an iron gate and into the most secure vault I’ve ever seen.
The Jewel House. Opened By Her Majesty The Queen. 24th March 1994
Inside the vault, are the most beautiful gems, and the most abundant gold collected in one place. At the heart of the Crown Jewels, housed several objects used in the coronations of English Kings and Queens, known as the Regalia. The objects included the crowns of Sovereigns, Consorts and Princes of Wales, both past and present, sceptre, orbs, rings, swords, spurs, bracelets and robes. The list could go on and on of these priceless jewels.
The Imperial State Crown
Karly and I took about 3 spins around the displays trying to keep from drooling. Each looked so magnificent and the gems were so precious it made me wonder, how could something so flawless be real? But rest assured each is made with only the highest quality stones and metals. Many of the crowns had only been worn once, typically during a specific coronation.
Sounds like a bit of a waste to me – these pieces need to be enjoyed! I’d be more than happy to try one on for size anytime. Yet, I’m sure it wouldn’t be very comfortable since the King George VI’s Imperial State Crown, the most famous crown in the Jewel House, weighs over 5 pounds. And no wonder it’s so heavy, it’ encrusted with over 3,000 gems.
But that doesn’t even hold a candle to my favorite jewel in the tower, The Cullinan Diamond. Known as the Great Star of Africa, it is the biggest rough diamond ever found and was uncovered in South Africa in 1905. The Cullinan was presented to King Edward VII and broken into three pieces and later into nine. The largest section was added to the sceptre, at over 530 carats with a D or E color grading, the stone is truly gorgeous. With such flawless color, at a quick glance it looks like it could be glass or crystal. But it’s facets and sparkles speak for them self.
St Edward's Sceptre and the Cullinan Diamond
All the jewels were completely breathtaking inside the Tower of London, but Karly and I decided we just didn’t have our fill yet. We wondered over to Bond Street next to gaze at the world’s top jewelry designers. Bond Street has every big name in jewelry lined up next to each other, London’s Jeweler’s Row, if you will. Harry Winston, Chanel, Mikimoto, Cartier, Tiffany & Co., and more. Oh to have the Queen’s credit card. A girl can dream right?
Bond Street Jewelers
