Queen Mother’s Rock Crystal Brooch

Today marks the Anniversary of the Birth of Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother, who was born on this day in 1900! The Scottish Aristocrat who unexpectedly became the popular wartime Queen and then the beloved Queen Mother for half a century, we have featured many of her jewels over the years and to mark the day today, we are featuring the Queen Mother’s striking Rock Crystal Brooch!

Composed of a spectacular Rock Crystal surrounded by an Art Deco Diamond motif, this Brooch was likely made by Cartier (similar to a Cartier Rock Crystal Tiara we saw recently) and acquired by the then Duke and Duchess of York at some point before 1927, when the two embarked on a Tour of Australia, on which the Duchess wore the Rock Crystal Brooch on her hats, though she does not seem to have been pictured wearing the Brooch after the 1920s.

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After the Queen Mother’s death in 2002, all of her jewels were inherited by the Queen, but as the wife of the late Queen Mother’s favourite grandson, the Prince of Wales, many of the jewels have been given to the Duchess of Cornwall, including the Art Deco Rock Crystal Brooch, which appeared on the Duchess soon after her marriage.

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The Art Deco Rock Crystal Brooch has been a favourite for Remembrance and Memorial events, and has also added a sentimental touch to outfits in the past few years, with some recent appearences including the State Opening of Parliament in 2021, the Royal Festival of Remembrance in 2021, and the Platinum Jubilee Pageant. With all these recent appearences, there is no doubt we will continue to see this splendid Heirloom for years to come!