The Queen Crown

The British Crown Jewels are one of the most iconic and valuable collections of jewels in the world. The collection includes a number of crowns, but the one most commonly associated with the British monarchy is the Imperial State Crown, which is worn by the queen on formal occasions such as the State Opening of Parliament.

The Imperial State Crown was created in 1937 for the coronation of King George VI, the father of the current queen, Elizabeth II. The crown is made of gold and is encrusted with over 3,000 precious stones, including diamonds, sapphires, emeralds, and rubies.

The crown weighs a little over 2 pounds and is 10.5 inches tall. It has a band of diamonds around the base, and a cross at the top with a large, pear-shaped diamond known as the Second Star of Africa. The crown also has a velvet cap, which is embroidered with the royal coat of arms.

One of the most notable features of the Imperial State Crown is the inclusion of a number of historic gems, including the Stuart Sapphire, which was once owned by King James II, and the Black Prince's Ruby, which is actually a large spinel, and is said to have been worn by Henry V at the Battle of Agincourt.

The Imperial State Crown is not the only crown worn by the queen. She also wears the smaller, lighter, and more modestly decorated St. Edward's Crown during her coronation ceremony, which is held in Westminster Abbey. The St. Edward's Crown is also part of the Crown Jewels collection, and is made of gold and set with precious stones.

Both the Imperial State Crown and the St. Edward's Crown are important symbols of the British monarchy, and are revered by the people of the United Kingdom and around the world.The Imperial State Crown is made up of several elements, including the band, the arches, the monde, the cross, and the cap. The band is a circle of gold set with a row of large diamonds and smaller diamonds in the shape of leaves. At the front of the band is a large, cushion-cut sapphire known as the Stuart Sapphire.

The arches are a series of golden curves that rise up from the band, each set with diamonds and topped with a large gemstone. The largest of these is the Black Prince's Ruby, which is set in the front arch. The other arches are set with emeralds, sapphires, and rubies.

The monde is a gold globe that is topped with a cross. The globe is set with diamonds, and the cross is set with diamonds and topped with the Second Star of Africa, a large, pear-shaped diamond that is the second largest in the world.

The cap of the crown is made of velvet and is embroidered with the royal coat of arms. At the base of the cap is a row of ermine fur. The cap is lined with gold and is adjustable so that it can fit the head of the wearer.

The Imperial State Crown is also adorned with a number of smaller diamonds, rubies, and sapphires, as well as pearls and other precious gems. In total, the crown is set with more than 3,000 gems.

The St. Edward's Crown, which is used only during the coronation ceremony, is simpler in design than the Imperial State Crown. It is made of solid gold and is set with jewels, including sapphires, emeralds, and rubies. The crown is named after King Edward the Confessor, who is said to have been crowned with a similar crown in 1042.

In addition to these two crowns, the Crown Jewels collection includes a number of other important pieces, including scepters, orbs, and rings, all of which are used during important ceremonies and events. The Crown Jewels are kept in the Jewel House at the Tower of London and are guarded by the famous Yeomen Warders, or Beefeaters, who are responsible for their protection and care.