The Crown Jewels of Britain: An Insider’s Guide

Thomas Paradise / University of Arkansas

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With the recent passing of Queen Elizabeth II, it’s the perfect time to talk about her extensive collection of crown jewels, personal jewelry, and the dazzling pieces handed down to her since the days of her Great-Great Grandmother, Queen Victoria. From the ancient diamond mines of Golconda, India, to the 1867 discovery of South Africa’s magnificent diamonds, we’ll look at the spectacular jewels, necklaces, rivieres, parures, crowns, and brooches loved, worn, inherited, and gifted to Queen Elizabeth. Join professor and gemologist, Thomas Paradise, for a stunning presentation of some of the finest and most dramatic jewels known today.

Recommended Reading:

The Crown Jewels: Tower of London, by Kenneth Mears

The Crown Jewels: Souvenir Guidebook,‎ Historic Royal Palaces publishing UK

The Crown Jewels: The Official Illustrated History, by Anna Keay

The Queen’s Diamonds, by Hugh Roberts, Royal Collection Trust

The Queen’s Jewels: The Personal Collection of Elizabeth II, by Leslie Field

Thomas Paradise

University of Arkansas

Tom Paradise is a professor of Geosciences at the University of Arkansas, where he teaches geography, geology, and gemology classes. Paradise has earned degrees in the gemological sciences with the history of jewels and gemstones through the Gemological Association of Great Britain (FGA, Gem-A) and the Gemological Institute of America (GG, GIA). He has conducted appraisals for VIPs, corporations, banks, and national and international agencies since the 1980s.

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