The Crown Jewels are on display in the Tower of London. Most visitors only go to the Tower of London to see the Crown jewels. They are kept in an underground vault. Tourists are not allowed to take pictures of the jewels. My pictures that are shown here are from postcards that I bought.
The Crown jewels are nothing but spectacular. Amongst these jewels are the Royal Sceptre, which holds the largest cut diamond in the world; the Imperial State Crown, for the coronation of Queen Victoria in 1838. It contains 3000 priceless stones including the second largest cut diamond in the world and the Kohinoor diamond which sets in the special crown made in 1937 for the coronation of Elizabeth (the late Queen Mother) George VI’s queen.
The history of the Crown Jewels is very fascinating. In 1303 the collection was transferred to the Tower of London when a theft occurred in Westminster Abbey. In 1649 most of the Jewels were melted down (in the era of Cromwell) and only a few items were preserved. In 1671 an adventurer nearly made off with a crown, orb and sceptre! He was caught just in time.
There are some very important pieces of jewellery in the collection for example the Coronation Crown, the Imperial State Crown (originally made for the coronation of Queen Victoria. Traditionally it is worn at State banquets and other national occasions, like the opening of Parliament. A piece of the Cullinan diamond is set into it.
Among the famous gem-stones on display at the Tower is the First Star of Africa, now mounted at the top of the Sovereign’s Sceptre. This is the largest flawless cut diamond in the world and weighs 530 carats. This and the Second Star of Africa of 317 carats (in the Imperial State Crown) were cut from the celebrated Cullinan Diamond, the largest diamond ever found. Weighing over 3,000 carats, the Cullinan was given to King Edward VII by the Government of the Transvaal (South Africa) in 1907.
Well worth a visit if you want to see some bling but also if you are fascinated by the history of the Royal family (like me). click here for wholesale jewelry
Address: Tower Hill, London EC3N 4AB
Phone: 0844 482 7777
Official webiste: www.tower-of-london.org.uk
Directions: Metro: Tower Hill (Circle Line,District Line)
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Idrf7OSj-Os?rel=0]
This guy took a video clip of the Crown Jewels and got thrown out.
Wow, what a place to visit! It must be amazing to see this up close.