The Queen’s “best diamonds” will be exhibited at Buckingham Palace to celebrate the diamond jubilee, marking the Queen’s 60 years on the throne. “Best diamonds” will show the ways in which diamonds have been used by British monarchs over the last 200 and is an unprecedented display of some of the Queen’s personal jewels including brooches, tiaras, necklaces and bracelets.

Highlights include a necklace and bracelet of 21 gems the Queen received by the South African government to mark her 21st birthday, the famous The Girls of Great Britain tiara, a coronet (miniature crown) containing 1,200 diamonds, the necklace incorporating a 22.48 carat drop pendant and earrings worn by the Queen at her coronation in 1953, and the Williamson brooch which incorporates a rare 23.6 carat pink diamond.

"This is a fitting tribute to Her Majesty's commitment over the past 60 years to the care and conservation of the Collection and to increasing public access," said Jonathan Marsden, director of the Royal Collection.

Many of the Queen’s personal jewels were passed down from her mother and grandmother and many of the pieces have been modified throughout the years. In some instances, pearls were replaced with diamonds. In other instances, stones were re-cut or incorporated into new settings. 

The Queen came to the throne in 1952 and her coronation took place in 1953. She celebrated her Silver Jubilee, marking 25 years on the throne, in 1977, and her Golden Jubilee, marking 50 years on the throne in 2002. The only other British monarch to celebrate a Diamond Jubilee was Queen Victoria (in 1897).

In addition to the "best diamonds", 80 evening gowns will also be on exhibit to the public during Buckingham Palace’s 2012 summer opening from July 26 to September 24. A Jubilee Celebration will take place at the palace in August and September, and a Diamond Jubilee Pageant will take place at Windsor Castle in May 2012. Another jubilee highlight includes the largest exhibition of Leonardo da Vinci's human body studies at the palace between May 4-October 7. The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh will also be visiting England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to mark the jubilee. 

 

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