The Queens Diamonds

Published on 06/01/12

The jewellery the Queen refers to as "my best diamonds", a necklace and bracelet of 21 enormous gems given by the South African government to mark her 21st birthday, will be among a display to be exhibited this summer at Buckingham Palace to mark her diamond jubilee.

Unlike the crown jewels on show at the Tower of London, the brooches, tiaras, necklaces and bracelets are the Queen's personal collection of jewellery. They include family treasures such as a tiny coronet containing 1,200 diamonds worn by the diminutive Queen Victoria – the only other British monarch to have celebrated a diamond jubilee – who complained of the weight of the state jewels.

The necklace and earrings worn by the Queen at her coronation in Westminster Abbey in 1953 were originally created in 1858 for Victoria, incorporating a 22.48 carat drop pendant. The necklace was also worn during coronation services by queens Alexandra, Mary and the Queen Mother.