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| The Burmese Ruby Tiara |
To create this piece the Queen used some of her wedding presents. Namely, diamonds from the dismantled Nizam of Hyderabad Tiara and the 96 rubies she had received from the people of Burma The number of rubies is actually rather significant: the Burmese believe that there are 96 diseases that can affect human body. They also credit rubies with the ability to protect their owner from sickness and ill-wishes, meaning the 96 rubies are meant to protect the Queen from all illnesses and evil of this world.
The Garrard’s received the commission for a new tiara in 1973. Her Majesty didn't want any tiara either: she picked a design that would add to the symbolism of the rubies. The Queen wanted the ruby clusters to be arranged like the Rose of England – a combination of the White Rose of York and Red Rose of Lancaster (two of the branches of the House of Plantagenet that contested the English Throne during the aptly named War of Roses).
