Where Can You See The Biggest Jewels In London?
The Crown Jewels collection in the Tower of London is a must-see for anyone who loves looking at sparkling stones but what can you see there?
Nov 13, 20241.4K Shares36.9K Views
London has some of the most interesting sights on the planet, so it’s no surprise to see that it also contains some of the world’s biggest and most famous jewels. The Crown Jewels collection in the Tower of Londonis a must-see for anyone who loves looking at sparkling stones but what can you see there?
Crown Jewels: Imperial State Crown
Famous Jewels In Popular Culture
Many documentaries have been made about the world’s top jewels, explaining their historical importance and where they come from. In movies, the Crown Jewels are commonly shown in heist dramas set in the UK capital, or in historical thrillers where royal figures are shown on formal occasions. The coronation regalia is worn by reigning monarchs, which means that an estimated 400 million TV viewers saw King Charles sporting some of the most incredible gems during his 2003 coronation.
Fictional gems are also hugely important in entertainment, such as the heart of the ocean stone that plays a big role in Titanic, or the Pink Panther Diamond, which is a priceless gem that the bungling Inspector Clouseau spends several films trying to recover. The allure of diamonds means that they also commonly appear in casino games like the Gem Heat slot. As the highest-paying symbol, it’s the image that players most want to see appear on the reels. These jewels appear on many slots and have also inspired games like Diamond Mine Megaways and Diamond Royale.
The Cullinan I Diamond And Cullinan II Diamond
The Sovereign's Sceptre with Cross is one of the highlights of the Crown Jewels collection. It was first used in Charles II’s coronation and has been used in every royal coronation since then. However, that doesn’t mean that it’s exactly the same after all these years. The biggest change came early in the 20th century when the Cullinan Diamond was uncovered in South Africa.
This staggeringly large diamond still holds the record as being the biggest colourless diamond ever found and is regarded as the most valuable diamond in the world. At over 530 carats, it soon became hugely sought-after after being put on display in a bank and then sent to London. The authorities in South Africa eventually bought it and gifted it to Edward VII. Cullinan II - or Star of Africa - is the second-biggest diamond in the collection from the same source.
The Cullinan Diamond | Priceless Pieces
The Koh-i-Noor
At 105.6 carats, the Koh-i-Noor gemis another of the most famous and valuable diamonds ever found. Its early history is unclear, but we know that it was owned by several different empires in Asia before being given controversially to Queen Victoria in the 1840s. It’s believed to have been unearthed in India and is said to bring bad luck if worn by a man. It can be seen in the Crown of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.
These gems have inspired awe for centuries and should continue to do well into the future. The good news is that you can see the real gems in the Tower of London or get a close look online if you prefer.
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