Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Mastery of Design: Queen Elizabeth II's "South Africa" Necklace and Bracelet, 1947

The South Africa Parure
Crown Copyright
The Royal Collection
Image Courtesy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II



Throughout her long reign, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has been presented with many important pieces of jewelry. One of the more modern pieces in her private collection is this parure of a necklace and bracelet of exquisite diamonds.

The necklace was given to the Queen while still a princess in 1947 as a gift for her twenty-first birthday. At this time in jewelry history, the art of European diamond cutting had reached a pinnacle of precision with the invention of the round brilliant cut which allowed the ideal balance of reflected and refracted light. This type of cut increased the “fire” displayed by the stone.

Known as the “South Africa” necklace and bracelet—taking its name from the source of the opulent gift, the pieces remain favorites of her Majesty who can be seen wearing them with regularity.




1 comment:

Africa Necklace said...

I am absolutely enchanted by this 14K Gold Dainty Africa Necklace! I've never seen another piece of jewelry that captures the rich cultural heritage and elegant beauty of Africa with such delicate details and stylish design. Every aspect of it reflects the unique diversity and strength of the African continent. Wearing this necklace feels not just like a fashion statement, but like a symbol of cultural connection. It's truly a special and meaningful piece!