The Queen owns some truly magnificent and historic jewels, many of which are worth far more than the average Briton could earn in a lifetime.
The top ten most expensive pieces in the royal collection are thought to be worth a staggering £151.3 million, ranging from an iconic Cartier necklace to a £50 million pair of earrings.
But what is the most expensive item and when is it appropriate to wear it?
The Crown Jewels aren’t the most expensive piece of jewelry owned by the royals.
The Nizam of Hyderabad necklace, according to experts at jewellerybox, is the collection’s crown jewel, worth a whopping £66.3 million.
In 1947, the Nizam of Hyderabad gave the Queen (then Princess Elizabeth) a necklace as a wedding present.
Surprisingly, the opulent Nizam gave Cartier carte blanche to give her whatever she desired. She left with the necklace as well as a floral tiara with removable brooches.
Hugh Roberts, former Director of the Royal Collection and Surveyor of The Queen’s Works of Art, has previously detailed the magnificent necklace.
“Pavé-set center with detachable double-drop pendant incorporating 13 emerald-cut diamonds and a pear-shaped drop; the chain of 38 brilliant-cut open-back collets with an elongated oval brilliant-set snap,” he said of the piece.
The necklace is so valuable that experts estimate it would take 1,718 years of work for the average Londoner to be able to afford it.
The Queen has worn it, as well as the Duchess of Cambridge, who was loaned the piece for an event.
The £50 million Cullinan III and IV brooch, the £25 million Williamson Diamond Brooch, and the £10 million Greville Emerald Kokoshnik Tiara worn by Princess Eugenie at her wedding in 2018 are among the most valuable items in the royal collection.
The world’s top 10 most expensive royal jewellery pieces:
1.Nizam of Hyderabad necklace – £66.3million
2.Cullinan III and IV brooch – £50million
3.Williamson Diamond brooch – £25million
4.Greville Emerald Kokoshnik tiara – £10million
5.Queen Maud’s diamond tiara – £10million
6.Henckel von Donnersmarck tiara – £9.2million
7.Swan Lake necklace – £8.7million
8.Noor-Ul-Ain tiara – £8.7million
9.La Peregrina pearl – £8.6million
