The Coronation Earrings

The coronation earrings were created for Queen Victoria to replace the earrings that she had been required to hand over to her uncle, the King of Hanover.

The drops, which were approximately 12 and 7 carats, were originally part of the Koh-i-nûr armlet. In 1858, they were taken from the Timur Ruby necklace in which they had been placed in 1853. The other stones for the new earrings were taken from an aigrette and a garter star. The jeweller Garrad’s charged £23 10s. After being made, the earrings were designated as an heirloom to the Crown by Queen Victoria.

They were worn by Queen Mary in 1911, Queen Elizabeth in 1937 and Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.¹

1. The Queen’s Diamonds by Hugh Roberts p.59