EMPIRE EMERALDS

THE DELHI Durbar necklace and earrings are part of a set of diamond and emerald jewellery made for Queen Mary for the ‘Delhi Durbar’ celebration of George V as King Emperor of India in 1911.

It incorporates nine emeralds, as well as the 8.8-carat Cullinan VII diamond pendant cut from the 3,106- carat Cullinan diamond, the largest ever found.

The necklace and earrings were inherited by the Queen in 1953, along with the Vladimir Tiara, which was made for Grand Duchess Vladimir of Russia around 1874.