The Sapphire Tassel Demi-Parure

The Sapphire Tassel Demi-Parure (Necklace, Earrings, Bracelet)

This set of sapphires and diamonds is centered around a necklace of multiple diamond strands which come together in a central knot accented by a sapphire, with a tassel of three diamond strands with sapphire pendants hanging below. It also includes earrings, each with a cluster of three sapphires surrounded by diamonds. The Queen tends to wear a bracelet with multiple sapphires separated by diamonds with diamond straps with the set which may be a part as well, though no official information has been released so it is hard to tell what is technically a part of the set. She wears sapphire rings with all of the above, though I've never seen them well enough to know if any belong specifically to this set.

Though no information on the set's provenance has been released, we can make an educated guess: this was worn to the state banquet during the 2007 state visit from King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, which is a strong indication that it is a Saudi Arabian gift. Some speculated at the time that it could have been a gift from King Abdullah when he was the crown prince, though when the gift was received is unknown (it's been worn publicly since at least 2002).

Appearances:
2011: The Garter Service
2006: 80th Birthday Dinner at the Royal Windsor Horse Show 

Photos: Getty Images/PA

Investiture at Windsor Castle

The Queen held an Investiture at Windsor Castle.

Ha! Last appearance, I said thank goodness it's not the Flower Basket Brooch - and now, look what we've got. (To be clear, my objection is only to the Flower Basket plus that one pink outfit. Not the brooch on the whole.)

Flower Basket Brooch

Queen Mary's Button Earrings

Three Strand Pearl Necklace

Gold Watch

Engagement and Wedding Rings

Photo: PA

The Carrington Sapphire Feather Brooch

The Carrington Sapphire Feather Brooch

Another of the many presents given to Princess Elizabeth for her wedding to Lieutenant Philip Mountbatten in 1947 is this brooch, a diamond feather with a sapphire center. It was given by the jewelry company Messrs Carrington and Company Limited.

The wedding gifts on display, with the feather brooch circled

This is sometimes confused with a diamond feather brooch given by Empress Eugénie to Princess May of Teck (Queen Mary) as a wedding gift, but as it is clearly visible in the photos existing from the exhibit of Princess Elizabeth's wedding gifts, it is a match for the Carrington brooch on the gift list.

The wedding gift list states that this is a sapphire brooch, but the Queen pairs it with purple outfits in addition to blue ones. Feather brooches are classic and this one is particularly fine, with an added bit of versatility thanks to the purplish hue of the central stone.

Appearances:
22 February 2019: Royal Army Chaplains' Department Prefix Centenary
21 May 2014: Buckingham Palace Garden Party
14 March 2014: Royal Holloway Visit
2010: Royal Ascot
2006: Commemorating 80th Anniversary of BBC Royal Charter

Photos: Getty Images/Corbis

Visit to Slough

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh visited Slough, including the Mars chocolate factory.

Click above to see a video from CBS News.

Oh, I'm so glad she didn't wear the Flower Basket Brooch again with this outfit! Much better to stick with pink, methinks.

Small Pink and Diamond Brooch

Queen Mary's Button Earrings

Three Strand Pearl Necklace

Photos:CBS News screencap/Bauer Griffin

British Film Industry Reception

The Queen held a reception at Windsor Castle celebrating the British film industry.

Click above to see an article and video from the Telegraph.

They gave her an honorary BAFTA, excellent. She can put it next to her complete set of Olympic medals, in the "It's Good to be Queen" section of the Royal Collection.

Aquamarine Clip Brooches

Queen Mary's Button Earrings

Three Strand Pearl Necklace

Gold Watch

Engagement and Wedding Rings

Photos:Telegraph screencap/PA

Sapphire Rings

The Queen has several sapphire rings to wear with the rest of her blue jewels. Three were shown in photographs released in advance of the publication of Angela Kelly's book Dressing the Queen.

Sapphire Cluster Ring

The first is a basic sapphire cluster ring, featuring a central oval sapphire surrounded by diamonds. This might remind you of the sapphire and diamond engagement ring worn by Diana, Princess of Wales and now by the Duchess of Cambridge, though this sapphire is smaller and the diamonds are larger in relative size. This is a classic design, and it can be spotted accompanying the sapphire set based around pieces given by the Queen's father, King George VI. The ring is not usually mentioned as part of the same set, though, and I don't believe a provenance is known. As this is a basic design, it is also possible multiples exist in the same basic form.

Sapphire Diamond-Shaped Ring

The second is a diamond-shaped design featuring alternating rows of diamonds and sapphires. Here again, I don't believe a provenance is known for this ring. It is sometimes worn together with the sapphire cluster ring and the Queen's engagement and wedding rings when sapphire jewels are worn.

Sapphire and Ruby Coronation Ring

Left to Right: the ring shown in Dressing the Queen, Queen Victoria's Coronation Ring, and the Sovereign's Ring made for William IV

The third includes a ruby cross on a sapphire background, surrounded by diamonds. This looks to be a match for the coronation rings, two rings belonging to the Crown Jewels. The larger ring is called the Sovereign's Ring, and was made for King William IV in 1831 by Rundell, Bridge & Rundell; this ring was worn by the Queen at her coronation. A near identical ring in a more petite scale was made for Queen Victoria in 1838 again by Rundell. The delicate band on the ring shown in this group seems to match Queen Victoria's version. This is interesting because the coronation rings are listed among the coronation regalia kept at the Tower of London, and are not thought to be used for private occasions. It may be that the Queen's personal collection includes a copy of Queen Victoria's ring.

Appearances:
2006: 80th Birthday Royal Windsor Horse Show Dinner and Private Birthday Party 
1983: State Visit to India 
1953: The Coronation (Sovereign's Ring)

Photos: The Royal Collection/PA

The Baring Ruby Necklace

The Baring Ruby Necklace

This necklace was acquired by the Queen in 1964. It had formerly belonged to the Baring collection. It is thought that the three central pendants - each a flat-cut ruby surrounded by brilliants - were originally used as a pair of earrings and a pendant before they were turned into pendants on this necklace of ruby and diamond clusters separated by single diamonds.
The acquisition of the Baring Ruby Necklace and the commission of the Burmese Ruby Tiara in 1973 seem to have been aimed at filling gaps in the Queen's collection. At that time, the primary Crown rubies (including the Oriental Circlet and accompanying jewels) were still with the Queen Mother. The Burmese tiara and this necklace became popular with the Queen as a set, with other ruby jewels thrown in from time to time. Now that she has the Queen Mother's collection in addition to her own, we've seen those pieces added in to the mix.

Appearances:
2005: State Visit to Malta
1985: State Visit to Portugal
1967: Visit to Malta  
Various Years: State Opening of Parliament 

Photos: Royal Collection/Corbis/PA