Queen Elizabeth II Burmese Ruby Tiara

A recent post on Instagram by the House of Garrard sparkled the conversation. Is this the tiara worn by Queen Elizabeth II, or is it not? Let us discover it.

 

 

 

Queen Elizabeth’s Burmese Ruby Tiara is one of these personal pieces.

 

Queen Victoria appointed the House of Garrard as first Crown Jeweller in 1843. Since then, the House has kept a close tie with the British Crown, creating not only exquisite jewellery for official occasions but also elegant pieces for personal, more private occasions.

The House of Garrard received the commission in 1973, from Queen Elizabeth herself. The Queen used gems from wedding presents she received for her wedding with Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh on 20 November 1947.

 

 

Namely, the tiara includes 96 Burmese rubies Her Majesty received from the People of Burma. The number 96 is not by accident. Rubies, as many other gems, are thought to have protective powers, and Burmese people believed that 96 illnesses could hit one’s body and that they can shield the owner against sickness and ill-wishes. This gift was then a high token of love and protection from Burma to their Queen.

It was (and is) also quite customary to dismantle jewels and re-use them, according to the wearer’s taste. Therefore, for the Burmese Ruby Tiara, another tiara was dismantled, the Nizam of Hyderabad Tiara, another wedding present the Queen received from the Nizam of Hyderabad. This is where the diamonds of the Burmese Ruby Tiara come from.

A few days ago, on Instagram, the House of Garrard posted a beautiful, contemporary image of this tiara, to celebrate its Royal heritage.

 

The Queen’s Burmese Ruby Tiara is one of the most symbolic and personal pieces created for Her Royal Highness by the House of Garrard. The 96 rubies mounted in the tiara were originally given to the queen as a wedding gift from the people of Burma, intended as a symbol of protection against illness and evil. #Garrard #royalfamily #heritage #ruby #queenelizabethii

A post shared by House Of Garrard (@houseofgarrard) on Jul 23, 2018 at 5:24am PDT

 

However, some followers, after looking at the image, started wondering if they ever saw the Queen wearing the tiara in the picture. Was this really the Burmese Ruby Tiara or was it not?

Well, it is. The tricky photographic perspective makes the tiara appear in a rounder shape, with the lower support of the tiara missing (which can be noted by comparing the Instagram image with others taken from the Internet).

 

 

Finally, by looking at the Queen wearing the Burmese Ruby Tiara, one will notice the same flowery design, with the rubies and diamonds in the shape of England’s emblem, the Tudor Rose.

 

 

 

The mystery is solved! CC