Queen Elizabeth II’s legacy includes not only her extraordinary reign but also her stunning collection of jewelry and tiaras. As November 20, 2025, commemorates 78 years since her wedding to Prince Philip, royal commentators have been revisiting one of the most opulent wedding gifts she ever received.
Since her passing in 2022, various members of the Royal Family have been seen wearing pieces from her treasured collection. Recently, Queen Camilla was spotted donning one of Elizabeth’s rare aquamarine tiaras at a Buckingham Palace reception on November 19.
The George VI Sapphires, a historic wedding gift, remain a symbol of Queen Elizabeth II’s royal legacy
However, according to Maxwell Stone, jewelry expert and creative director at Steven Stone, one set from the late Queen’s collection stands out for its historical importance and immense value. The George VI Sapphires, comprising a necklace, earrings, and bracelet, were gifted to Elizabeth by her father on her wedding day.
Reports from The Court Jeweller indicate that while the exact source of the pieces remains unclear, they are believed to have been crafted during the reign of Queen Victoria, with jewelry historian Leslie Field dating them to around 1850.
Stone highlighted the uniqueness of the sapphire and diamond necklace, originally featuring 18 sapphires ranging from 8 to 30 carats, which Elizabeth had redesigned in 1952 to include a prominent pendant. He described the piece as a series of “huge sapphires surrounded by halos of diamonds,” connected by smaller diamond links.
The earrings, estimated to contain sapphires of around 15 carats each, add to the set’s grandeur, though the bracelet is rarely seen. Stone estimates the full suite, known as the King George VI Victorian Suite, to be worth approximately £5 million ($6.3 million). In addition to these sapphires, the late Queen was celebrated for her iconic brooches, many of which carried important, often hidden, meanings.
