British Royal Jewels: The Queen's Burmese Ruby Tiara

Most of the Queen’s vast jewellery collection was either inherited, or presented as a gift on various occasions. The Burmese Ruby Tiara is an exception though for it is one of the few pieces that Queen Elizabeth has personally commissioned.

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). 

British Royal Jewels: The Queen's Nizam of Hyderabad Parure

On the occasion of her marriage in 1947, Princess Elizabeth was positively flooded with gifts. According to the official list of wedding gifts released by St James Palace, Princess Elisabeth and Prince Philip received exactly 2583 presents. Not all of them were jewellery, of course; in fact, the most common gifts were stockings and books. Nevertheless, there was no lack of sparkle either.

The current demi-parure parure - the necklace and the brooches

One of the most beautiful gifts came from the Nizam of Hyderabad. The Nizam was the owner of one of the most celebrated and largest private jewellery collections in the world, and his gift was suitably impressive – a demi-parure of a tiara and necklace.