3,000 diamonds... and the ruby worn by Henry V at Agincourt
THE Imperial State Crown, which is placed on the coffin, has existed in various forms since the 15th Century. It weighs 2.3lb and sparkles with 2,868 diamonds, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds, four rubies and 269 pearls.
1 St Edward’s Sapphire: Set in the centre of the topmost cross, it is said to have been worn in a ring by King Edward the Confessor and discovered in his tomb in 1163. Queen Victoria then added the jewel to the new Imperial State Crown in the 19th Century.
2 The Black Prince’s ruby: This is a 170-carat spinel that was worn on battlefields by King Henry V at Agincourt and Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth, and was part of Henry VIII’s treasure trove.
3 Elizabeth I’s earrings: Dangling from the centre of the arches are four large pear-shaped pearls that date back to Mary Queen of Scots in the 16th Century. Elizabeth I may have worn them as earrings or on her costume.
4 Cullinan II: This 317.4-carat cushionshaped diamond – the Second Star of Africa – was cut from the Cullinan, the largest gemquality rough diamond ever found, which is in the Sovereign’s Sceptre. The Cullinan diamond was found in a mine in South Africa in 1905, weighing 3,106.75 carats. According to legend, the mine manager dug it out of the rock face with his walking stick. The Transvaal government bought the stone and presented it to King Edward VII in 1907.